Last week saw an announcement by the Conservative Party of a new manifesto pledge limiting the rights of public sector workers to strike, where any ballot for action has had less than 50 per cent turnout.

I have two major issues with this ill-thought-through policy. Firstly, limiting the rights of workers to fight to protect their pay or working conditions is simply wrong. All workers should be entitled to trade union membership and the protection that affords and the Conservatives should not be threatening to remove this.

Secondly, for a political party to insist on a turnout of 50 per cent for union votes, but to defend turnouts of just 12 per cent for Police Commissioner elections is simply outrageous. Indeed, here in Wiltshire just one out of 98 unitary councillors was elected on a turnout greater than 50 per cent. Not a single Conservative councillor enjoyed a turnout close to 50per cent – maybe they should all resign their seats, declaring they consider the vote to be invalid.

I am proud Liberal Democrats have always campaigned to protect workers’ rights and we will continue to speak out against this ridiculous policy.

Jon Hubbard, Leader, Wiltshire Council, Liberal Democrat Group.