THE only real conclusion to draw from this unstable hung Parliament situation that we find ourselves in is for the Liberal Democrats to call it a day.

The two wings of that once-principled party could promote their values in the other two main parties.

With the minority wing of the Lib Dems that are Thatcherite – so-called “orange book” liberals that want tax cuts, a smaller state and public spending cuts – joining the now touchy-feely Conservative Party.

And the main wing of the Lib Dems that are on the centre left of politics that want social justice, constitutional change and equality joining a social democratic Labour Party. This would have given a decisive result either way for the Labour or Conservatives parties that would have provided the stability that this nation needs right now.

Richard Smyth, Copmanthorpe Lane, Bishopthorpe, York.


• MAY I congratulate my opponent, Julian Sturdy, on his election victory as the new Conservative MP for York Outer. My genuine commiserations go to the Lib Dem candidate, Madeleine Kirk, who fought a fantastic campaign.

I thank my agent and campaigns organiser, the party members who selected me and the people who voted for me. It was an honour to represent the Labour Party and to stand for Parliament.

I am proud of my achievements as a candidate and I will continue the work I started, regardless of the result.

York Outer was always a difficult seat for Labour and with less resources than my opponents, I still gave it everything I had. Despite the national swing, Labour lost only 660 votes here since 2005, receiving 9,108 votes. There is solid Labour support here and a firm basis for the local elections next year, and the next General Election.

I now refocus my priorities to the council to ensure a Labour victory at the local elections next year.

Coun James Alexander, Holgate Road, Holgate, York.


• THE possibility that the levers of power could be handed back to a group led by those who have, over the past 13 years, managed to create a state machine of which East Germany would be proud, landed us with a mind-blowing national debt and effectively declared open house to all-comers would, in any sane society, herald the rapid arrival of the men in white coats.

JA Whitmore, Springfield Road, York.