Sir - 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.

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 to 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 R Mitchell, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council