LIBERAL DEMOCRAT PROSPECTS - Letter (01/03/05)

The Editor, THE TIMES

Dear Sir

Andrew Cooper's article (1 March) can give little hope to the Liberal Democrats. With the electorate becoming much more concerned with crime, antisocial behaviour and terrorism, the prospect for a party traditionally associated with a less than resolute approach to these areas cannot be promising.

The polls also show growing resentment at increased taxation: yet the Liberal Democrats propose even higher taxes. On council tax they seemed to have some attraction to the elderly (even if it was at the expense of working couples) until Oliver Letwin came up with an inspired system of rebates.

The general trend in the public mood could see the Liberal Democrats side-lined once again.

Yours faithfully

Ronald Forrest