I AM sure that leading Liberal Democrat, Councillor David Harrison will be grateful to Lee Whitbread (Letters, August 9) for his well-meant advice to follow his example, give in to his true instincts, and have the honesty to leave the Lib Dems and sign up to Labour.

However, Mr Whitbread leaves out one relevant point - the fact that he has moved from New Forest East, where Labour consistently comes third, to Southampton where Labour sometimes wins.

Therefore, despite Cllr Harrison's recent In My View article showing such sympathy to Labour, I won't be holding my breath for him to defect as well, until it is announced that David is also emigrating from our wonderful constituency.

COUNCILLOR DEREK TIPP, deputy chairman, New Forest East Conservatives.