Last week’s Batley and Spen by election result is another example of how first past the post is truly undemocratic, with the winning candidate received just 35% of the vote.

This meant 65% of the electors who voted did not vote for the winning candidate and were left without representation.

It really is time that we had a system where every vote counts. Too often first past the post leaves voters with very little choice and they are left in a position of having to vote for the least worse option and all too often are faced with a two horse race.

We need to fall in line with most of Europe and adopt a proportional representation system.

We need to make votes matter, and allow seats to match votes, a true democracy is what the British voters deserve.

Alan Johnson

Bolton Green Party