Letter: A blurring of the parties

From Mr Michael Meadowcroft

Sir: Andrew Marr's gipsy warning to the Liberal Democrats to be wary of Labour's seduction (19 September) homes in on the Liberal Democrats' precise dilemma. Unless they have a definite and distinctive philosphy, the closer they approach the Labour Party, the more blurred will the Liberal Democrats position become. As Labour becomes more social democratic, it requires a clearer and more forthright liberalism to underpin that crucial distinctiveness. But while the party itself officially remains a hybrid of liberalism and social democracy, the Liberal Democrats' ability to proclaim an unencumbered liberalism is fatally undermined.

Yours faithfully,

Michael Meadowcroft

President, The Liberal Party

Leeds

20 September