LAST year saw a big breakthrough for British democracy, when throughout the UK proportional representation meant that for the first time in the European elections, our MEPs are actually elected on their true share of the vote.

Although the poll was low, it is very significant that 26 per cent did not vote for the three main parties, but for 'others.'

Could this possibly be a protest at the appalling policies carried out in such areas as health, education, transport and law and order over the last 30 years in this country?

TOM CULBERT, Chesterbrook, Ribchester.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.