YOUR editorial (Echo, Sept 17) explains all we need to know about the unprincipled politics of the Liberal Democrats.

Paragraph three states the Lib Dems are against the imposition of a unitary authority for County Durham, followed two paragraphs later by the comment that "part of the Lib Dems' problem is that they have an incoherent image".

Their U-turn regarding local government and unitary authorities is part of that incoherent message.

The very same Lib Dems backed the North-East Assembly to the hilt, their then leader stood shoulder to shoulder for pictures with Tony Blair, full in the knowledge that backing regional government and the assembly would eventually mean the removal of a level of local government.

The Lib Dems are reaping what they sowed. You can't fully back the EU, regional government and the assembly and also wish for the district councils to stay untouched.

They are opposing positions.

Like their district Labour cohorts ultimately complaining about losing their well-paid positions, the Lib Dems should read the small print before rushing to back both sides.

Even worse for them, if regional government and unitaries are replicated across England, they will be virtually wiped out of local politics.

Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland Conservatives.