Letter: Lib Dems' drugs debate: a question of responsibility

Sir: The Home Secretary, Michael Howard, may well consider the Liberal Democrat representatives who voted in favour of decriminalising the use and possession of cannabis 'irresponsible' (report, 20 September), but perhaps those voting realised that a responsible party can no longer ignore this issue. While the other major parties cannot find the courage to back a Royal Commission into drug use, the Liberal Democrats have bravely recognised what can hardly be described as a 'frivolous' issue. As for Paddy Ashdown and the party leaders, Liberals they may be, democratic they are not.

Yours sincerely,

IAIN MARTIN

Tunbridge Wells,

Kent

20 September