Tasked to turn

Congratulations to Alistair Carmichael on his new job as David Cameron's whipping boy (your report, 15 May).

While he protests that he is not part of a Tory government, let's remind ourselves of what his new job actually is: coercing Lib Dem MPs elected on a Lib Dem manifesto into voting for Tory policies overwhelmingly rejected by the people of Shetland, Orkney and Scotland.

I suspect Tavish Scott sleeps sounder as the most senior opposition Liberal politician alive. Now is the time to demand of him a commitment to rejecting a Tory coalition government in Scotland next year, should the circumstances arise.

DAVID A CLARK

St Olaf Street

Lerwick

Shetland