Letter: Lib Dems struggle to sell the coalition

Even the strongest defenders of the market system in the Conservative wing of the coalition know that the banks and other financial organisations must be reformed. This is not simply a question of corporate governance. If the public at large are to accept painful cuts in the comprehensive spending review next month, they need to know that action is being taken against those many see as the cause of the horrendous budget deficit.

Mr Cable's words may seem radical for a government minister. But Downing Street must know that his remarks reflect what people feel in their bones: government borrowing and spending is too high, but one of the reasons for that is that government had to bail out organisations who had acted in a reckless and irresponsible manner.

The banking crisis of 2008 was the most dramatic example of market failure since the depression of the 1930s. Mr Cable's remarks cannot just be dismissed by Terry Murden (Business, 22 September) as Lib Dem rhetoric. The test for the coalition is not just to produce a package of cuts the public, or most of it, will deem fair; it is to show that they can change the banks and other parts of the financial sector, reassure investors and savers that there will be no return to the profligacy of the last three decades, and yet still ensure a market system that will encourage competition, innovation, and small business development.

Those sentiments should not divide the coalition. They should be seen as the way forward.

BOB TAYLOR

Shiel Court

Glenrothes, Fife

Monday, 20 September, 2010, will be remembered as the day when Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg handed over his party's electoral fortunes to the Tory Party. This is the culmination of the coup staged by the Lib Dem right wing in 2006. Lacking the experience and political clout to usurp then leader Charles Kennedy, the conspirators bided their time.

Initially dismissed as a joke, Clegg is now leading his Liberal sheep into an electoral abattoir but, be assured, his services will be amply rewarded after his defection to the Conservatives is finally made official.

So, where now for those who were disillusioned by New Labour's Tory policies and deluded themselves that the Lib Dems would provide sanctuary? Has "Uncle" Vince's "radical" speech done enough to calm the nerves of his spooked troops?

What is certain - the Lib Dems' treachery will be ruthlessly punished, both at Holyrood and the next general election,which will swiftly follow the rejection of AV in the proposed referendum.How ironic, then, that the only safe Lib Dem seat in the UK is Charles Kennedy's.

JOHN DOBBINS

Balbeggie Street

Glasgow

I am not a Liberal Democrat, however, your editorial comment that delegates to their Liverpool conference need to "grow up" for their lack of enthusiasm at seeing their MP's implementing Tory policies strikes me as unfair.

Political activists of all parties work themselves into the ground during elections, and many use up paid annual leave to attend their national conferences. They do so because they believe in their parties' causes and principals and most seek nothing in return for their efforts. Without the work of unpaid members, no political party could function and as such they are entitled to express their views, however uncomfortable this may be to their leaders.

It is clear that many Lib Dems are appalled at finding themselves suddenly tied to a party many have fought against throughout their political lives and justifiably feel betrayed by those they worked to get elected.

GAVIN FLEMING

Webster's Land

Grassmarket, Edinburgh