YOUR report on the local election results was quite right to highlight apparent voter apathy as one of the key factors of the poll.

Low turnout is becoming an alarming problem in local government elections, particularly in by-elections. Surveys have shown that electors often feel that their vote cannot affect the result. In many cases, the seat is effectively "safe" for one party and so there is no incentive to vote.

Recent elections have shown that those polls which buck the trend are in marginal wards and in councils where the political control may change hands. In those cases, electors feel that their votes may count for something. The changes proposed by the Government to boost turnout - supermarket voting and the like - are welcome experiments but will not get to the root of the problem.

The Electoral Reform Society, together with other like-minded organisations, is campaigning for a change to our voting system to one where every vote counts. We believe that it will be the single greatest boost to turnout and therefore, to the legitimacy of councillors' decisions.

If readers are interested in joining our campaign they can write to ERS, 6 Chancel Street, London SE1 OUU.

ALEX FOLKES,

campaigns officer.

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