Disproportionate influence

One thing that can be said for the European elections is that every vote counts, as far as practicable.

By contrast, in elections for the Westminster parliament, millions are effectively disenfranchised because they live in a constituency which is a safe seat for a party they do not support. The result is that a party can attract short of 40 per cent of votes but win nearly 70 per cent of seats in the Commons.

S Beck, Edinburgh