SIR – For more than 100 years, there has been an anti-Tory majority in this country because it is split between Labour and the Liberals. The Conservatives regularly win more seats in Parliament than their vote justifies.

Under First Past the Post, those voting Liberal to ‘teach Labour a lesson’ know they are probably handing the seat to the Tories.

Under AV, however, nominating Labour as their second preference gives the half-hearted the luxury of making their protest, yet secure in the knowledge that their transferred votes will still be there to defeat the Conservative candidate.

This is simply having your cake and eating it rather than having the courage of your convictions.

At the last General Election, for example, Philip Davies MP (pictured) won well but not with 50 per cent of the Shipley vote.

Under AV, it is mathematically possible that he could have lost to Labour even though their candidate gained 10,000 fewer votes, provided most Lib Dems and Greens had chosen Susan Hinchcliffe as their first alternative.

I wonder if any of the apologists for AV could tell us who is better-qualified to represent Shipley, even though logic suggests that he might never ever exceed the magic 50 per cent barrier?

Brian Holmans, Langley Road, Bingley