Lib Dem antique, the right trusty and beloved Baron Greaves of Pendle, is to give up his weekly column in the Lancashire Telegraph after six years.

He confesses today that, unless he puts down his pen, he will be endlessly slagging off the new Coalition Government.

Tony Greaves, quick to anger and slow to forgive, was always likely to be an early critic.

He complains there is an endless stream of bad news coming out of the Coalition.

Local government, his first love, is going to take a big hit. And he is not one to grin and bear it.

And, oh yes, he doesn’t like Clegg.

But will giving up his weekly column make any real difference?

Will he bite his tongue?

He has a platform for life in the House of Lords where he can make as many acidic speeches about Clegg’s betrayal as he wishes.

We watch and wait.