AV-plus may be more proportional than AV, but there is a system that better meets the remit of the Commission in STV.ROBERT MACLENNAN MP(Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, Lib Dem)House of CommonsLondon SW1The writer is Liberal Democrat Constitutional Affairs Spokesman. STV maximises voter choice, allows preferential voting and could maintain the constituency link by the use of multi-member natural constituencies.AV is not a proportional system, and does not therefore meet the remit of the Jenkins Commission. STV could be introduced at the next election without a lengthy Boundary Commission review by simply aggregating existing seats based on natural communities such as cities. More MPs would be both unpopular and unjustified.
Liberal Democrats favour the single transferable vote (STV) as the system best able to meet the terms of reference of the Jenkins Commission.

This is likely to be more costly than a one-step reform and may lead to an increased number of MPs if proportionality is to be achieved. A two-stage approach to electoral reform with AV being introduced for the next election and top-up lists being added after boundary changes is also suggested (AV-plus). As Donald Macintyre says, in 1997 AV would have produced an even less proportional result than first- past-the-post. Sir: Donald Macintyre suggests (Comment, 8 May) that the Alternative Vote (AV) offers a middle course on electoral reform which should be supported by Liberal Democrats

AV does not provide for proportionality. A mature foetus is a sentient being – aware of its surroundings, able to hear and feel pain. Surely it is due some protection in a civilised society.Professor RICHARD OLVER FRCPSUSAN OLVER RSCNSt Andrews, Fife. Before it can start to breathe, she smothers it and is later charged with murder.
These cases are extreme but they can and do occur, and if they throw up issues which the law cannot deal with in a logical and morally responsible way, then the law needs to be changed.

In the second, a woman goes into labour at eight months and delivers a healthy baby which she does not want. The mother refuses, on the grounds that it will interfere with the natural process of birth which she has always wanted Several hours later the baby is born dead. In the first, a woman goes into labour at eight months but the previously healthy baby shows signs of severe distress and a Caesarean section is advised to save the baby’s life. Sir: The Court of Appeal may have, for the time being, resolved the legal issues relating to the case of Ms S (“Mothers win right to refuse Caesareans”, 8 May) but it totally disregarded the ethical issues, which will not go away

Consider the following scenarios. Sir: News of Sandline’s involvement in Sierra Leone has become so embroiled in political point-scoring that there is a danger of allowing hypocrisy and humbug to rule the day. A year ago the world was virtually unanimous in wanting the Koroma regime out and President Kabbah reinstated. Anarchy reigned, but no western power would intervene militarily except to rescue its own citizens from the chaos.

The President and Leader of the Opposition fled to exile.
If, as alleged, it was our High Commissioner who co-ordinated the efforts of Sandline and the Nigerians to successful effect, then he will surely have a much greater influence on good governance in Sierra Leone than if he had limited himself to giving cocktail parties in the bush for the exiles. The man deserves to be promoted, not pilloried.The focus of any inquiry should be on ensuring that Sierra Leone’s diamond- based economy has not been mortgaged unreasonably to either of the “liberators” and that in future mercenaries can be held internationally accountable for their actions in territories which lack effective government.JOHN E TRICKSCrediton, Devon. Is a postman not also human? If you bite us, do we not bleed? (Huge applause from public gallery, which is crowded with postmen.)Judge: I probably should not ask this, but was the snake called Christine?Postman: No, sir.Judge: Thank heaven for that.Postman: It was called Mandy, sir.The case continues.. Small wonder if occasionally we give way to our human nature and retaliate. I have been attacked by cats, by birds, by barbed wire, by trees, by householders who were furious that the expected letter had not arrived, by householders who were furious that the expected bill HAD arrived.. On one occasion I was even attacked by a female snake. Those of you who have never been a postman do not realise under what constant threat we are.