ON May 5 the country is being asked to decide if our present system of electing MPs should be changed to the so-called Alternative Vote system.

The fundamental constitutional principle we have established during the last century or so is  'one man (and woman) one vote'. Any system which involves transferring or splitting votes is inconsistent with this principle.

I would always vote for the candidate I wanted to win, and would not allow any other candidate to benefit from my vote. If other electors had the option of second, third or fourth choices, they effectively have extra votes, surely the denial of our cherished democratic principle.

We must give a a resounding no to the proposition at the poll.

Geoffrey M Stowell