The desperate need for a fair voting system is once again highlighted by the bizarre result of the local elections in Brent on May 6.

In terms of percentage of the votes cast compared with percentage of council seats won, Labour received 42 per cent of the vote but won 63 per cent of the council seats, the Liberal Democrats won 30 per cent of the vote but only won 27 per cent of the seats, the Tories took 22 per cent of the vote but have now only 10 per cent of the seats and the Greens received six per cent of the vote and won no seats.

While it may be ironic that the Conservatives, who opposed a fair voting system, suffered most, a change is clearly needed. There is no point for Labour’s leadership candidates to say that Labour were out of touch with ordinary people and should listen to them more when they opposed the introduction of a fair voting system which would ensure everyone had a voice. This would ensure those elected to Brent Town Hall reflect fairly the votes actually received by each political party.

It is time that we brought our outdated voting system into the 21st Century and embraced the new politics.

Councillor Simon Green, Liberal Democrats, Queen’s Park Ward