SIR – As a long-standing Liberal Democrat, I was taken aback by the letter on May 14 from former Worcester councillor Alex Kear, in which he announced his defection to the Green Party following the launch at Westminster of the Liberal Conservative coalition.

Like him, I too feel deeply uncomfortable with the new alliance. The rough and tumbles of politics forge deep divisions between individuals and political groups both at local and national level.

And yet, from time to time, circumstances create an opportunity and necessity for a joining together to face a common cause.

Differences which once seemed irreconcilable can be put to one side for the time being.

This is where we are with the Lib Dem Conservative coalition.

Lib Dems do not have to like Conservatives and vice-versa.

We are not joined together at the hip and never will be. Come next election time the parties will offer their different wares and the electorate will choose.

But at this time, and in this country, it seems that at national level there is an opportunity to work together for the common good. Will the coalition last? Who is going to throw stones to weaken the new coming together and turn their backs on it?

Not me.

Graham Myatt
Malvern