Sir – Ted Mellors (Letters, May 12) is technically quite right: there are circumstances in which AV might not deliver a winner with more than 50 per cent of all votes cast.
Where we differ is on the likelihood of such circumstances actually arising in a Parliamentary election. In a constituency where the sitting MP was elected on less than 50 per cent of the vote by FPTP (or less than 50 per cent of first preferences under AV), why would voters restrict themselves to two preferences as he suggests?
Moreover, those voting in the first place for minority parties will, being realists, almost certainly include a major party somewhere in their list of preferences to retain an influence in the final outcome.
In my view, the likelihood of an MP being elected under AV with less than 50 per cent of the total votes cast is very low indeed.
Sadly it’s going to be a long time before we can see who is right in practice.
Robin Gill, Headington
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