It's about time that all our elections moved to a proportional representation system (PR). The National Assembly of Wales (and I believe the Scottish Assembly too?) uses one version of PR - possibly not the best but I think the representation is a WHOLE LOT fairer than first-past-the-post. I suspect that the Tories wouldn't have had a look-in on the old system (or perhaps just 1 or 2 seats) and they have about 6 now, if memory serves. Although I would NEVER be considered a Tory supporter, some of these AMs are genuinely good politicians and the Assembly government would be worse without them.

So roll on PR. But in the meantime, vote even if it's by spoiling your ballot. It wouldn't hurt to write to the Press in advance and encourage them to report more fully on the percentage of spoiled votes and the reasons behind them too ...

Re: how to spell 'X', I've been in on a number of counts - including the original National Assembly referendum - and I've been amazed at what people use as a marker! Xs, checks - OK. But there are a lot that use happy faces and even their signatures, and some parties argue that these make the votes invalid (obviously, the parties that aren't ahead on the deal) so if you want to be counted, don't be too cutsie.

I even remember one paper that had a happy face for the chosen candidate and sad faces for all the others. It got disallowed, although I understood the artistic goals of the voter ...

Well, I'm just glad I live in Wales and have 4 parties I can consider - plus the range of smaller ones of course. So far I've only had literature from Plaid Cymry and Labour. Labour has inundated me with stuff which I recycle by sending it back to the local constituency office - postage unpaid.

siân