Coun James Alexander’s letter (“Cynical move”, May 20) attempts to spread misinformation about Lib Dem-Conservative coalition proposals to reform the way Parliament is dissolved.

In fact, the proposal means that increased support by MPs is required to dissolve Parliament, but there is no change to the rules for a vote of no-confidence.

Thus, the majority needed to dissolve Parliament and call an election would become 55 percent, while the Government can still be defeated in a no confidence vote by a simple majority.

The proposed change goes alongside the removal of the power formerly held by the Prime Minister alone to dissolve Parliament at will and call a snap election. Increasing the majority needed for a dissolution vote and removing the Prime Minister’s power to dissolve Parliament both help to ensure fixed-term Parliaments are a reality.

Surprisingly, Coun Alexander fails to mention that a similar rule on dissolution already applies in the Scottish Parliament, except that there the threshold is 66 percent. Why does he omit to remark on this?

Perhaps because that rule was introduced by Labour. Or was it simply that he saw yet another passing bandwagon and decided to jump on it?

Ian Cuthbertson, Earswick, York.