I AM overjoyed with the overwhelming rejection of the alternative vote system.

The near hysteria of Chris Huhne threatening to sue the No campaign was absurd. If he had somehow succeeded, the precedent could have been colossal. Virtually every party indulges in character assassination and mud-slinging.

In the hours that followed the declaration, the Yes lobby have behaved like spoilt children. The spectacle of politicians denouncing everyone who disagreed was appalling. The sheer size of the majority indicates that the cause was never winnable.

I am in favour of a referendum on constitutional and major issues.

A vote should have been held in 1972 prior to Britain’s entry into the Common market. Subsequent votes should have been held over the Single Europe act and the Maastricht and Lisbon treaties.

However, for a referendum to be binding, I believe a clear mandate should be required.

In the AV vote, a majority of just one could have changed things. Any future vote should require a minimum of 50% of the electorate should vote. The change lobby should then require 55% of votes cast.

I believe the United Kingdoms political system works – it has evolved over the centuries. Constitutional monarchy and our Parliament work well and should not be given up lightly.

Richard J Szypulski, Lavender Street, Brighton

THE UK has voted to reject the AV system in favour of retaining first-past-the-post.

So, we will continue to see candidates who did not even achieve a majority of the votes in an individual constituency winning the parliamentary seat. We will continue to see governments elected that were similarly brought to office with a minority share of the national vote.

The British people deserve the poor governance meted out to them.

Henry Page, Haven Way, Newhaven