SIR – The debate on the referendum regarding the proposal to change the long-established parliamentary voting system is regularly the subject of published correspondence, and both sides are putting the case for support or rejection.

One of the significant flaws, if our voting system is changed to the alternate vote (AV) is that regular coalition-style government will continue, possibly indefinitely. This is of great advantage to the third party, as they will always be part of the coalition Government.

It is thus clear why Nick Clegg and the Lib Dem party are seriously promoting the change. It also means that this third party group will always select the other main party to join up with and therefore select the Prime Minster – this has been the responsibility of the UK electors for hundreds of years.

Can anyone doubt that the third party uses the excuse of fairness deceitfully? The AV system guarantees the Lib Dems will remain in permanent governance of the UK.

Do we really want Nick Clegg and his successors to have such an electoral advantage when they usually get less than 25 per cent of the General Election vote? It would be out of all proportion.

Alan Chapman, Beck Lane, Bingley