SIR – The coalition in power is very like the classic Upstairs Downstairs television drama loved by many – the Tories live upstairs and the Lib-Dems downstairs.

In the running of Britain, even with this great divide, would anyone employ Nick Clegg as their butler let alone as a party leader?

The master of the house has problems among his flock and outside patrons too, but one expects he will not need the butler in a year or two as his fate rests on the value of other great estates.

Our country is looking very bleak for both.

Max Hey, Fairway Grove, Bradford