I see Michael Hugh-Jones is peddling the old Liberal plea for a system of proportional representation (PR) to replace our present first-past-the-post system (Oxford Mail, May 12).

It is hardly surprising that a Liberal should be calling for this because it is the only way their party is ever likely to secure a toehold in government.

I think he hopes to persuade us of the virtues of PR by suggesting Conservatives would have won some seats in the city elections this year if a proportional system had been in place.

God forbid we should have any more PR in UK elections.

It would lead to three inevitable and awful consequences: 1. It would break the link between constituencies and their representatives. You only have to look at the awful EU parliamentary system, where you have to vote for a party and not for an individual, to see the danger of PR 2. It would threaten this country with a permanent state of coalition, with constantly shifting political groupings.

This would deny the certainty of leadership and direction that comes from the majority that a first-past-the-post system will usually deliver.

The price may be enduring a period of Blair-Brown government once in a while, but at least we know we can get rid of them once their policies become totally threadbare.

PR systems condemn countries to perpetual electoral stalemate 3. The most compelling reason for abjuring PR systems is the influence they would give the Liberals.

To allow a party with no consistent policy platform, without the slightest trace of principle, that can face in many directions simultaneously and can peddle different policies in the same council area, in the same ward and even in the same street, would be to give them a degree of political influence they do not deserve.

KEITH MITCHELL Leader Oxfordshire County Council