Lord Hanningfield, leader of Essex County Council and a prominent Conservative member of the House of Lords, has stated that anyone who votes Liberal Democrat or Labour "should seek psychiatric help".

Ken Jones, Liberal Democrats group leader said:

I am shocked and appalled at the contempt with which Lord Hanningfield has shown the people of Essex by this cheap and vulgar comment.

It is clear that the Conservative leadership will not tolerate criticism as the Liberal Democrats group has found out to its cost on numerous occasions - as elected politicians we accept opposition parties to knock us and our policies. However, it is unforgivable for any politician to abuse the taxpaying public in this juvenile and patronizing way, to say nothing of those who genuinely need mental health services.

In a democracy, not only are people entitled to vote for whoever they choose, but they are also entitled to cast the vote of their choice without being accused of mental illness, especially by respected members of government like Lord Hanningfield.