Frank Avenell states (letters 26 Feb) that Liberal Democrats gave 'encouragement and assistance' to the Labour budget in the Council. This is incorrect. Did he not hear me propose an amendment for a lower council tax and later speak against Labour's 15 per cent rise?

His recollection does not tally with mine, or indeed the Evening Advertiser and BBC Radio Swindon correspondents, that Labour's budget passed due to a Tory abstention and four fellow Tories missing the most important meeting of the year. All eight Liberal Democrat councillors were present and voted against the Labour budget.

Our opposition to Labour's 15 per cent rise would have been successful if the Conservatives did the job they were elected to do and opposed Labour budgets.

This is now the second year in a row when their non-attendance and lack of discipline has allowed Labour to put the council tax up by 15 per cent.

I suggest that your readers who may be inclined to vote Conservative consider carefully whether there's any point in doing so.

COUN Mike Evemy

Liberal Democrat Leader