Ukip mischief

Allan Massie (Perspective, 15 October) gives some good reasons as to why Ukip will probably not do well in the crowded political field that is Scotland.

However, the party can cause some mischief, and that is because of the first-past-the-post system used for Westminster.

As it is, if you include the Greens, there will be five parties in contention – a six-way split in some constituencies could mean someone winning on about 20 per cent of the vote, ie a lottery, making predicting the winner a difficult job.

The next general election will be interesting.

William Ballantine

Dean Road

Bo’ness, West Lothian