Jonathan Sheppard's analysis well illustrates the failings at the heart of Britain's political system.

Fundamental change is needed. Real choice is minimal.

Parliament embodies a two-party system derived from the Victorian era, with Conservatives reflecting ownership of capital and Labour representing the workers, epitomised by parliamentary Question Time, in which the two party leaders score cheap points. This spectacle is not what people want to see.

The House of Lords is outmoded. Peers are not elected but reflect a privileged "jobs for the boys" mentality that is essentially dishonest.

Our first-past-the-post system of voting fails to reflect voters' decisions, frequently giving political power to the party voted for by only one in four or five of voters and in local elections one in ten.

New Labour promised a review of the electoral system but, true to form, swept the issue under the carpet when the party realised it too would be a loser with improved voting systems.

Labour promised no more sleaze yet is ridden with doubt over financial donations to its coffers. We have simply replaced Tory sleaze with Labour's equally odious brand.

If the people are to have any faith in politicians' ability to conduct public affairs in an honourable and fair way, sleaze-free funding is essential.

-Keith W D Jago, Uplands Road, Brighton