When extremists win seats, it is tempting to call for the system to be changed to make it harder for extremists, but that is a slippery slope which could be used against other parties later.

Because the European elections were by Proportional Representation (PR) and the BNP gained 2 MEP seats, the cry goes out “PR lets in extremists!” But - just a moment - on the same day, the BNP won 3 County Council seats by First Past The Post!! So that effectively disposes of the claim that any one system lets in extremist parties. In fact with a PR voting system, the BNP would probably not have won the Council seats.

However, it could be argued that the election results, including the BNP’s minor victories, were not what voters intended so we believe the Government should hold an enquiry to consider which voting system would best give the results they did intend. There is anecdotal evidence that some people stayed away so they didn’t have to vote Labour, thereby giving the BNP a higher share of the vote and that others voted BNP, not to elect BNP MEPs and Councillors but to express dissatisfaction with the mainstream parties. There is also anecdotal evidence that many Labour voters would have preferred more Conservatives to be elected (and vice versa) than BNP, but the voting systems used for European and Council elections do not allow voters to use their votes to reflect those views.

With the Single Transferable Vote (STV), mainstream voters could give their first choice votes to candidates from their own party in whom they had most trust and their next choices, if they wished, to candidates of other mainstream parties. This would reduce the number of wasted votes and enable supporters of mainstream parties to put their votes together against extremism. We can explain how to any readers who ask.