Madam, – Given that we use proportional representation in general elections, why do opinion polls not use the same system? As with any system, there would be uncertainties, such as the number of candidates from the various parties or independents and the proportion of respondents who actually vote on the day, but the results would give a truer reflection of the mood of the nation than by asking for just first preferences.
And if researchers find PR difficult or time-consuming, there may be spare electronic voting machines about that could help them out. – Yours, etc,