GORDON Brown’s decision 12 years ago to scrap the fuel duty escalator, the six per cent above inflation tax, put on by Ken Clarke in his 1994 budget and intended to run until 2002, George Osborne before the election promised a stabiliser, when the price of fuel was up he would cut the tax and raise it when the price fell. Where is it?

In May 2010 fuel tax was 11 per cent lower in real terms than it was in 1999 and the cost of motoring fell by 14 per cent between 1997 and 2009! Gordon was a friend of the motorist.

Which brings us to today and what has happened to the pledges and promises whether cast iron or signed up to, given before the election by the right honourable gentlemen now members of our coalition government? The Lib Dems’ pledge to vote against any increase in tuition fees, or increase in VAT also promised by the Tories, there you could include the whole manifesto it was just whitewash, it’s the things they didn’t mention, for example, the NHS which shows their deceitful attitude to the electorate.

One pledge by David Cameron is of concern to South Swindon voters. In 2009 at the time of the expenses scandal he told Tory MPs he wanted those who had paid work other than Parliamentary duties to end them by Christmas, when this lapsed he gave them until the election. Robert Buckland although not an MP should have made a decision - should I become an MP or remain a practising barrister? Norman Tebbit said you should decide, clients or constituents.

It also shows that parties which have no chance of winning an election can promise anything then suddenly find themselves in coalition! Promises, what promises?

M J WARNER Groundwell Road Swindon