The recent poll results for Hertsmere Borough Council provided ample evidence, once again, of the arbitrary and capricious nature of the antiquated electoral system still used by English local authorities.

Despite receiving well under half of the votes cast, the Tories held nine out of 11 seats. The Labour Party’s share of the total fell relative to the results in 2010 when this set of wards was last contested, yet it doubled its quota of councillors elected. And although they were backed by almost a third of the voters, the other parties were left empty-handed.

These pie charts show the actual result in terms of seats won, compared with what the result would have been under a proportional system such as that used for the EU parliamentary election held on the same day.

In the rest of Britain, the winner-takes-all system has been jettisoned in local government. How long will voters in England continue to tolerate their wishes, as expressed in the ballot box, being distorted in this way? And why does the subject excite so little debate, even amongst the losing candidates who are its victims?

John Cartledge

Haddon Close, Borehamwood