IN RESPONSE to Brian Oosthuysen’s letter regarding our voting system and alliances between ‘left-wing’ parties.

Unfortunately I just don’t think Mr Oosthuysen’s critique of our voting system, nor his proposal for next year's’ district elections, quite grasp the complexities of the situation, for two main reasons; Firstly, he suggests proportional representation would be more ‘democratic,’ but I’d have to disagree.

PR systems give a wholly disproportionate amount of power to the minority parties, ie those parties who had the least popular mandate.

If we look at the Lib Dems in the last government, or closer to home, the three Ukip county councillors who aeffectively pushed through the vote in favour of the incinerator and the recent vote against the Human Rights act.

Secondly, is Mr Oosthuysen really suggesting that local parties ‘carve-up’ the wards between them as to who will stand where?

How undemocratic is that?

I want to vote for the party I want, and not the party my party tells me to vote for.

I think many voters would baulk against being told who to vote for – that is in itself undemocratic, surely?

So our system isn’t perfect, I would agree, but the proposed alternatives of the last few years are no better, for surely one form of ‘democracy’ is as undemocratic as any other form?

Tim Davies

Bridgend, Stonehouse