IN THE coming General Election more people will be voting tactically than ever before.

Indeed voting for the least worst option is the only way of securing at least some of the changes needed in this country.

It is however a sad reflection on our democratic process that we are forced to make a negative selection of candidates.

We must change our voting system.

A very simple change would do the trick – and one that everyone can immediately understand and which requires no changes either to the constituencies or the voting practice of marking the ballot paper with a cross.

It would mean having a second ballot in every congruency where the leading candidate receives less than 50 per cent of the popular vote.

A second vote say two weeks later (as in France) in those constituencies, would mean that each vote counts and everyone can vote positively according to their conscience in the first round, knowing that in the second round they can choose the preferred leading candidate.

This would bring an end to the practice of tactical voting and bring a fresh wind to our democracy.

Bernard Jarman

Stroud