IN May 2010 the Liberal Democrats put the plight of the UK economy before their own political interest when they entered into the coalition with the Tories.

At the tail end of the last Labour Government, with Gordon Brown as Prime Minister, the country's economy was in tatters and our banks were in free fall.

After two-and-a-half years I considered that the Lib Dems were suffering, like all minor parties do in coalition, and favoured a withdrawal from the Government.

The introduction of the bedroom tax was the last straw.

As was predicted, we lost most of our MPs at the last General Election, even though Nick Clegg had helped to turn around our economy, helped the lower-paid by raising income tax thresholds, introduced thousand of apprenticeship placements, helped create thousands of new jobs and promised £8bn for the NHS. I am pleased that he kept his own seat.

I will be supporting the rising Liberal Democrat star Tim Farron, who I know personally after he helped me gain extra funding to repair potholes.

I am sure that he will quickly turn around the Liberal Democrat Party with his young and enthusiastic energy.

Ben Ord, Spennymoor