CHARMING gentlefolk of the Electoral Reform Society reckon Cambridgeshire is in the running for the title of 2010 s Most Boring Election Venue . The society says we can all pack the rosettes, call back the canvassers and crack open the champagne . Chief

CHARMING gentlefolk of the Electoral Reform Society reckon Cambridgeshire is in the running for the title of "2010's Most Boring Election Venue".

The society says we can all "pack the rosettes, call back the canvassers and crack open the champagne".

Chief executive Dr Ritchie believes that "if voters in Cambridgeshire want to see an election this year, they have little choice but move. Norwich South is nice at this time of year".

Behind the frippery is a serious point, and that is the nature of British politics which ensures that constituencies like NE Cambs have a predictability in their outcome which some might find distressing in a modern democracy.

Perhaps the ERS is right in calling for a shift to the Single Transferable Vote system which would, at a stroke, make all seats competitive.

There is logic to its argument, although we've been here before and will do so again unless, as is statistically growing more likely, we have a 'hung' Parliament for which electoral reform becomes a key bargaining tool.

Few can argue in the run-up to this election that Dr Ritchie is right in saying that across Britain we're seeing a tale of two elections - one that matters and one that doesn't.

It's not a party political point the ERS is making but it is, self evidently, a matter of fact and ought at some time to kindle enough support for a radical change in the way we run our affairs.

Meanwhile the race for NE Cambs is on - if not for first place but for second at least.