THE letters column (January 3, 2005) carried a letter from a Mrs C Longworth, who described herself as a disillusioned Labour voter (and haven't they much to be disillusioned about).

It goes on to castigate the Liberal Democrats and Charles Kennedy in particular, for a lack of policy substance.

Impartiality shines out from her letter, but, if she wishes to know what being a Lib Dem is all about, I will try to enlighten her.

It means not being funded by union or big business interests.

It is having an interest in the community by listening, not dispensing party platitudes.

It means representing the interests of the electorate, not doggedly following the party line whilst looking after the interests of the Westminster village.

It means telling the truth to the electorate, without 'spin' even if unpopular.

If these qualities sound familiar, they used to be The Bible of the Old Labour Party, the party of Atlee, Morrison, Shinwell, Bevan, and my father.

There used to be something called The Social Contract between government and the electorate.

That contract underpinned social order whereas in this society, we see the greedy and opportunist being rewarded.

This government now seems to regard us, the public, as a milch cow, fit only to tax and for fiscal purposes.

The time is approaching when we, the electorate, can give our verdict on this New Labour's time in office.

Those, whose old age will be blighted by a lack of funds, after a lifetime of work, have much to thank them for, whilst billions have been and are being wasted on the Iraq adventure.

Millions have been thrown at education within the borough. Why? Labour have been in continuous office in this town since the Second World War.

So Mrs Longworth, 2005 looks good from my point of view.

D D'ARCY, Haslingden Old Road, Knuzden, Blackburn.