MAY I congratulate Ms Nokes MP in becoming a deputy speaker in Parliament. 

It is worth reflecting that the election process was done by proportional representation and the Single Transferable Vote - the preferred system of the Liberal Democrats and one which is already used for local elections in Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

I hope that Ms Nokes will now advocate for proportional representation in elections. If it is good enough for MPs, then it is good enough for us. 

READ MORE: Test Valley MP elected as deputy speaker of the House of Commons

At the 2024 General Election, in this constituency the vote share was 39.8 per cent Conservative, 35.4 per cent Liberal Democrat, 11.4 per cent Reform, 9.3 per cent Labour, 3.8 per cent Green and 0.4 per cent other. The new Labour government secured nearly two-thirds of seats in parliament with only a third of the total vote share. 

If the Deputy Speaker finds the system of proportional representation acceptable, now is the time to transition to a fairer voting system that accurately reflects the will of the country. When so many voters are denied a voice, Parliament fails to reflect the people it is supposed to represent. Millions of us go without a say in crucial national decisions – excluded not only from government, but from holding government to account. Parliament should accurately represent the people’s range of views and perspectives. It is time for proportional representation.

Sally Yalden

Fern Hill

Braishfield

Send letters by email to newsdesk@andoveradvertiser.co.uk or by post to Editor, Andover Advertiser/Basingstoke Gazette, Absolutely Offices, Lutyens Cl, Lychpit, Basingstoke RG24 8AG.

All letters and e-mails must include full names and addresses (anonymous letters will not be published), although these details may be withheld from publication, on request.

Letters of 300 words or less will be given priority, although all are subject to editing for reasons of clarity, space, or legal requirements. We reserve the right to edit letters.