IT was very interesting to watch Nick Clegg denounce his coalition partners for hitting the poorest members of society in their tax proposals if they win the forthcoming general election.

He also accuses them of being the nasty party who care only for the richest section of the electorate.

Well I have no time for the Conservative party as it's well known that they will always support the millionaires and the wealthiest people, but for the liberals to suddenly realise this takes cynicism to a completely new level. They have sustained the Tories as the coalition has inflicted the most severe austerity programme seen in modern times, so Clegg's words really take the biscuit.

Anyway, Nick is a little worried after seeing his party haemorrhage members and its poll rating drop into single figures. This once great party of protest sold its soul and principles for the sake of holding power.

These principles are not as important as holding the levers of power as the students found out over their solemn promise not to raise university fees. But they are now paying a heavy price for such actions.

Right now they are hoping to form another coalition if the election arithmetic is kind, but the truth is they would make a pact with the devil for another crack at power.

Rubbishing their coalition partners reeks of desperation and maybe they have noticed there are new kids on the block in the form of UKIP.

But Nick need not worry too much as he will be found a safe berth in the European parliament where he can look over the remnants of a once-influential part of British politics.

H Bradbury, Clinkham Wood