Letter: Time for change

Normally, a line halfway between Alexander Mackay's views and my own might represent a consensus, but on election lists (Letters, 29 September), I have to agree with him.

While the first-past-the-post system does allow the voter a good choice and the AV system chosen for the Labour leadership elections allows second best to win, the list system is the worst of all systems.

It has allowed lacklustre Tories to exist, when FPTP gives a better picture of the voter's view of the party, and it has allowed a whole tranche of Labour nonentities to rise high above their ability. Lib Dems and SNP MSPs who are not even a household name in their own house and the comedy that is the Greens, and was the SSP, all burden the public finances.

We need a much smaller parliament - about 50 would be enough and elected by a much fairer system like the single transferable vote. The Labour and Lib Dem conspiracy which worked through the 1990s to devise a system to reward all their cronies did not serve Scotland but only their own prejudices and was a futile attempt to keep the SNP out.

It is a pity that the present administration at Westminster does not appear to be interested in reforming the flawed parliament.

At a time of cuts, should Holyrood not show the way by offering to reduce and reform?

BRUCE D SKIVINGTON

Pairc a Ghlib

Strath, Wester Ross