SIR – I am not at all convinced that Nicholas Bielby (Letters, April 2) is correct in assuming that compulsory voting would result in more votes being cast.

I shouldn’t dream of not voting, but I know that if I were compelled by law to do so and did not have the desire to vote, I should simply spoil my ballot paper.

I think the vast majority might do likewise. If voting were made compulsory then there should be a box labelled ‘none of the above’ or ‘I abstain’ – after all, MPs have this right.

I, personally, just hope that after squandering more of our money on an unnecessary referendum, the result is a resounding thumbs down for AV.

Or they could run two referenda at the same time, the other one being for or against our remaining in the EU – now that’s something upon which the public should be allowed its decision.

Philip Bird, Treasurer UKIP Bradford, Nab Wood Terrace, Shipley