STEVEN Bates, the Lib-Dem spokesman, cannot be allowed to have his cake and eat it! (Letters, Nov 29).

He claims that by his party throwing in their lot with Labour, the people of the town are suddenly presented with a "constructive democracy."

And has the leopard changed its spots? He readily admits, of course, that his new-found friends are "sub-standard local politicians." This must be the understatement of the year!

Steven Bates and colleagues are, in fact, sharing the same trough as those whom they wouldn't touch with a barge pole just weeks ago. What really perplexes the Lib-Dems is that after subordinating themselves to be the appendage on the Labour dog, they find it has developed a habit of biting its tail.

Mr Bates' party has been rewarded by being contemptuously kicked off the major committee in the town hall. In addition to this, Steven finds himself being singled out by his Labour masters to be told that he alone is banned absolutely from addressing the council.

No wonder my detractor is smarting at the scornful treatment being meted out to him by his new mates whom he labels "constructive democrats!" A crucial point which my critic avoids is that any party which subordinates itself to being a Labour underling cuts itself off from properly representing its electors and condemns itself to merely carrying out out Labour's instructions.

Indeed, obeying their masters is a condition of membership. Just imagine, if there were to be any more closures of council homes, the Lib-Dems would descend to being part of that shameful process. Even now, money from central government which has been passed to the town hall for distribution to our local schools is being withheld and used for other purposes.

The only ones to gain from the recent Lib-Lab agreement are those Liberal councillors who accepted Labour's generous offer (with ratepayers' money,) to double their salaries on joining their team. Incidentally, in denying Steven Bates the opportunity to address the council, our Labour councillors appear to be in breach of Articles 6, 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act 1998. You've got yourself some bonny mates, Mr Bates!

Peter Roscoe,

Derbe Road,

St Annes.