Democracy is the real 'loser' (From Gazette Series)

Democracy is the real 'loser'

I WOULD like to thank all the people who voted Green in the general election.

We increased our vote by 59 percent, kept our deposit and got the fourth highest Green vote in the country. Thank you!

I would also like to congratulate David Drew on his success, I am sure He will work hard for all of us in the Stroud area.

A strong Green vote and an active and vocal Green Party will put pressure on the Labour Government to take the future seriously - we will challenge further moves to privatise public services, to buy a new generation of nuclear weapons and build new nuclear power stations. We will speak in favour of real investment in public transport and an end to zero tax on airline fuel which are key factors in tackling climate change.

I believe there are many more people who support Green Policies than Voted Green in the election - many people felt forced to vote tactically to keep another party out. Our MP, David Drew, was elected by the votes of only 28 percent of the electorate - this is the travesty of our undemocratic electoral system.

I hope many people who feel disenfranchised by the current system will join me in campaigning for a change to a truly democratic system before the next election.

Martin Whiteside Hillside, Claypits Lane, Lypiatt, Stroud, Glos. GL6 7LU