SIR - With the elections over and the hung parliament scenario very much in full swing, we now have five years of the coalition between the Conservatives and The Liberal Democrats running the country. I know that ma

Safe haven for the disillusioned!

SIR - With the elections over and the hung parliament scenario very much in full swing, we now have five years of the coalition between the Conservatives and The Liberal Democrats running the country.

I know that many of you voted Liberal Democrat for what you thought would be the chance of gaining a progressive and democratic political system, we now know that this is extremely unlikely, and you no doubt feel even more disenfranchised from politics than ever before.

To reject the principle that was one of the flagship policies, electoral reform, for power is surely a huge betrayal of the nearly seven million voters, all spin and shiny smiles will only last for a short time as the savage cuts begin to take serious effect.

But do not despair, here in the South West we have a party that is growing. Not only did the Green Party elect its first ever MP to the Parliament but we also saw an increase of the vote in the South West.

Further to this in the South West we were just a few thousand votes short of getting a Green MEP in our region, next Euro's we will take that seat.

We are a party that says what it believes and stands by our principles, yet will always be open to listening and exploring new ideas, we are progressive in our thinking and we look to the future rather than making short term decisions.

The Green Party has always been at the forefront of environmental policies from which other parties follow, but those polices do not stop there. We believe in social justice, a better tax system, in which 87% of people would be better off, and understand the need for good, well insulated social housing.

We would never swerve from our commitment for a better democracy, fairer education, and an economy that is based upon real work that benefits us all, rather than the few.

I wish to use my letter to extend an invitation to disenfranchised Liberal Democrat members, councillors, etc, to join the Greens if they feel strongly they wish to switch allegiances, to a party that does not, at the first chance, ditch their morals upon the offer of a cabinet post or ministerial office.

Already, across the region, I have heard of two Lib Dem councillors that are quitting the party to switch to us. We are a progressive party and can offer assurances that we remain strong and true to the ethos for which we stand for.

I urge Liberal Democrats to contact their local Green Party and chat with them these details can be found by going on the South West Green Party website,

Ryan Cleminson

Green Party South West Coordinator