Barry Kaye, Press officer Newton Abbot Labour Party, writes:

The announcement by the new Con Dem Westminster coalition is that they propose to introduce fixed term parliaments, whcih clearly demonstrates their basic disbelief in the continuity of the coalition. In order to lock both parties into the agreement as the cracks are already showing, they both fear the fall-out, should this unnatural beast fall. Political enemies for at least 200 yars, this unnatural alliance will be put under severe strain every time either Party is obliged to make any concessions, even to the point of reneging on promises made in their manifesto.

By forcing through this essentially unconstitutional measure, born out of desperation to stay in power, has already alienated a considerable portion of their support. Should ti become necessary to dissolve a parliament mid term, it would take just 55 per cent of the members of Parliament, and as turkeys don't vote for Christmas, it would prove a highly unlikely event.

It is a manoeuvre worthy of a tin-pot dictator. It is essentially being driven by Nick Clegg for obvious reasons, then we will have the unedifying sight of the Lib Dem tail wagging the Tory dog. The door to No 10 Downing Street is now Liberal yellow, with a Tory blue doormat.

Th whole procedure has now caused considerable disillusionment among Lib Dem activists and supporters leaving the Party in droves and signing up to Labour in their hundreds. The reason given is that a sense of betrayal now pervades, as in (quote) 'we did not vote Liberal Democrat to get a Tory government'. Even former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy is less than enthusiastic, by not endorsing the 'marriage' and not voting for the alliane, a serious blow to Nick Clegg.

Former Labour supporters who resignd over the Iraq war are also coming back. But Nick Clegg, so entranced by his success, is sleepwalking into disaster. One fine morning realisation will dawn on how much support the Party has lost. Then, becoming of little use to the Tories, they will be dumped unceremoniously allowing them to go to the country perhaps within the year. By attempting to lock up Parliament, by fixed term, the Tories and lib Dems may very well end up in meltdown, as each attempts to rid themselves of a useless partner, but the likely victims are, of course, the weakest party, the Lib Dems.