CALLS for compulsory voting by the Institute for Public Policy Research have missed the main reason why so many now fail to vote.

The main reason, in my view, is due to the three big parties no longer commanding respect and being unworthy of our trust.

While the smaller parties do not have a hope of obtaining office under the first past the post system.

So why vote? First past the post worked well with only two political parties but we now have seven national groups.

The so-called minor parties are only that way because the national media do not treat them with respect, a comment that cannot be made against the Advertiser.

I don't know the cost of this IPPR paper but they usually run into vast sums.

I could tell them how to boost the turn-out for nothing. Introduce proportional representation so our vote counts, and give all parties with 300 or more candidates equal coverage in the media so we know what we are voting for.

Of course that would destroy the cosy monopoly so long enjoyed by the Tory and Labour parties, which is why it will never happen.

G SCOTT Swindon