Published in this week's Liberal Democrat News: a letter by ALTER Vice Chair John Pincham.

Owe the bank £100 and it's your problem, owe them £100 million and it's their problem. Add a few noughts and one has the developing relationship between the banks and the Treasury/us. Helping first time buyer? - yes to get deeply into debt.

Fail to lend the banks billions and they'll stop granting mortgages. House prices would fall, perhaps to 1997 pre-Labour government levels, and home owners would cease voting Labour.

With lower prices and owning second and third homes less financially attractive, more houses would be available and affordable by first time buyers whose lower mortgage needs might once again be financed by building societies from savings.

Keep up the letter writing - and let us know about your successes.