SIR - Contrary to what Harry Smith claims regarding the recent General Election results, the fact that the Conservative party gained 99 more seats than Labour, reflects more the distortions of our current system than an overwhelming mandate from the country, (Letters, May 9).

The difference in percentage terms between Labour and the Conservative party was no more than three per cent and in a PR system would only have yielded 20 more seats to the latter.

Furthermore under PR, Ukip would have gained between 80-85 seats, depending which system was used and the SNP would have only gained 30 seats in Scotland.

In view of the anomalies which have emerged during the recent elections, electoral reform needs to be implemented as a priority.

It could further be argued that England chose to vote for the Conservative Party, when normally Labour would have been chosen as an alternative to the ruling party, because of the fear that the SNP would hold the balance of power in a hung parliament.

In that respect, Nicola Sturgeon’s threat of “locking David Cameron out of Downing Street” proved ill-advised and intemperate.

Alec Suchi, Allerton Road, Bradford