Memo to the Lib Dem Party: It's the economy, stupid.

We get new business or we die. Brighton and Hove has grown with tourism. Thousands of our jobs depend on it. Our success over the past

20 years hasn't happened by accident. It has been carefully created by developing a conference trade to fill the gaps left as the "bucket and spade" holidaymakers of the past flew to Spain instead.

Lib Dem Councillor Mark Barnard wants to destroy all this with his small-minded attacks on so-called "junketing" by council staff. It's not a junket - it's their job.

Maybe it's time Coun Barnard starting looking for a new one himself.

-Simon Burgess (assistant to Labour MP Dr Des Turner), Bute Street, Brighton