Letter: Talks are a fraud

Sir: Your report "Lib Dem vote is a blow to Ashdown deal" (2 December) mentions welfare reform among a number of "flagship government policies" the Liberal Democrats might have been expected to welcome in the Queen's Speech.

The Liberal Democrats accept that there is much that is wrong with the current system of welfare. But we do not support the pounds 1.25bn of benefit cuts which lie at the heart of the Government's proposed Welfare Reform Bill.

DAVID RENDEL MP

Liberal Democrat Social Security Spokesperson

House of Commons

London SW1