Not there yet

By any standards the Liberal Democrat by-election victory in Chesham and Amersham was an astonishing political coup. I note that Christine Jardine was cautious in her appraisal of what it might mean for her party's electoral fortunes in a much wider test of public opinion (Perspective – 21 June). For it is one thing to show wonderful campaigning skills at local level; it is something else to show that a party should be trusted with the reins of government. Making a serious dent in the “Blue Wall” may be an indication of an efficient demolition squad. It hardly means that the policies are there to convince the public at national level.

What policies do the Liberal Democrats need to look closely at? One, of course, is erasing the memory of the coalition years with the Conservatives in the first half of the last decade. This is a matter still likely to concern voters in the north of England and in Scotland.

Another is the relevance of the party's longstanding support for federalism, given that there is little enthusiasm for regional parliaments in England. The disruption caused by the HS2 project was clearly a factor in swinging people away from the Conservatives; the Liberal Democrats, however, remain committed to public transport projects which may not always be popular. It still favours increases in taxation, often directly on incomes, to pay for various social measures. This, too, might create disillusionment.

Ms Jardine did not mention the collapse of the Labour vote, caused, no doubt, partly by tactical voting but also by its leadership travails. From this it will no doubt recover in time. So, too, will Prime Minister Boris Johnson's current problems in managing his cabinet. It is then that we shall see more clearly how Lib Dem policies stand up to the scrutiny of voters.

BOB TAYLOR Glenrothes, Fife