Expensive row

THE prospect of a general election campaign dominated by the MPs' expenses debacle or the "Holyrood lunch auction" is a depressing one (your report, 6 February). It bodes ill for our democracy. It can only be defended on the grounds that if this is a primary concern for voters, then the Press has a duty to highlight it. But there must be greater concerns in terms of the waste of public money and the way we are represented.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's attempt to get parliament's agreement to a referendum on voting reform is likely to make matters worse, not better. He knows the alternative vote is likely to strengthen Labour's electoral prospects. It is simply a device to keep the Liberal Democrats on board in the event of a "hung" parliament.

It is not proportional representation. It will maintain the one-member constituency link which prolongs the Westminster club atmosphere, makes it incapable of internal reform and reinforces outdated practices. The only voting system which will scythe through this is the single transferable vote in multi-member constituencies. That is the real change which should engage all parties.

BOB TAYLOR

Shiel Court

Glenrothes, Fife