WE in the Liberal Party can understand the disillusionment and disappointment of many grass roots Liberal Democrats with the actions of the coalition Government.

We cannot imagine that VAT rises, draconian cuts in public services and limited security for council tenants are policies for which many of them have campaigned.

We are surprised, however, at the overture being made to such Lib Dems by the Labour Party. We should not forget that the electorate has just removed from office an authoritarian and financially reckless Labour government whose policies any liberal-minded individual would be glad to see the back of.

We can only assume that those interested in joining the Labour Party are those Social Democrats whose policy agenda has done so much damage to liberalism over the past 30 years.

We would hope that any Liberals left in the Lib Dems will rejoin the Liberal Party and campaign for liberalism rather than prop up a Tory government which has now shown its true colours – taxes and cuts for the weakest and the most vulnerable.

As his party conference approaches, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg would do well to remember that being in government alone is not enough: it is principle and policy which really matters.

Daniel Wood, Chairman, Policy Committee, The Liberal Party, Warrington, Cheshire.