Your support helps us to tell the story
In my reporting on women's reproductive rights, I've witnessed the critical role that independent journalism plays in protecting freedoms and informing the public.
Your support allows us to keep these vital issues in the spotlight. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to fight for truth and justice.
Every contribution ensures that we can continue to report on the stories that impact lives
![Head shot of Kelly Rissman](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/kelly-rissman.png)
Kelly Rissman
US News Reporter
Sir: Gradually the consequences of proportional representation are being made flesh.
At the next election of MEPs, we will be able to vote only for a party, not for individual candidates ("Labour NEC deselects 11 of its MEPs", 23 September). How have we come half-circle from the situation where a party name did not appear on the ballot paper to a state where only a party's name is given?
The next shock will come when it dawns on us that we are not even able to select between policies, because these too will be firmed up only after elections as parties stitch up coalitions.
Do we the voters really want to abrogate either of these time-honoured privileges in the cosy name of proportionality? How this trend can be regarded either as liberal or democratic defeats me.
MAX BERAN
Didcot, Oxfordshire
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments