Anthony Norman (‘Confusing and unfair’, Opinion, April 6) fails to realise that second preference votes are already counted as equal to first preference votes — it’s called tactical voting. The big difference is that while first past the post elections pretend that everyone votes for their first choice candidate, alternative vote elections make it very clear which are first, second or even later preference votes.
At the end of an alternative vote election, the selected MP, political parties and the electorate will know just what voters thought of the candidates before them.
Could we argue over some of the subtleties of first past the post and alternative vote counting methods?
Sure, but only the alternative vote is clear, transparent and doesn’t expect voters to second guess the outcome before they even reach the ballot box.
That’s why I’m supporting the yes campaign in calling for the adoption of the alternative vote on May 5.
Paul D Smith
Enfield North spokesman, Enfield Liberal Democrats
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