Petty Lib Dems

Published on 09/08/2012 00:00

While agreeing with Denis Mollison (Letters, 8 August) 
that we need a powerful, 
independent body to propose parliamentary reform, I do not agree with the Liberal Democrats’ petty “toys-out-of-
the-pram” decision to withdraw from the boundary review, the prime objective of which was to reduce the number of UK 
parliamentary constituencies (a Lib Dem manifesto commitment, albeit linked to proportional voting).

The UK and Scottish Governments have developed into gigantic, unnecessary and, above all, costly industries: why does the UK need 73 MEPs, 650 Westminster MPs, 129 MSPs, 433 local government councils and 56 police authorities?

I do not in any way denigrate the people at the service delivery end of the process, but the over-governance and over-management is simply ludicrous – an ongoing “jobs (and pensions) for the boys” gravy train, at the beleaguered taxpayers’ expense.

I am not in favour of Scottish independence for many reasons but, at least it would get rid of 59 Westminster MPs at a stroke – a very tempting idea .

The Liberal Democrats are at a low ebb because of their participation in the coalition: reducing the number of MPs and going at least some way to deliver their manifesto promise might have helped them at least a little. They now just appear childish.

David K Allan

Haddington

East Lothian