A moment of real hope

Apparently, the liberal democrats did not overplay their hand.  I felt certain that conservative strategy was to drive the liberal democrats into the arms of labour and then to wait for the inevitable chaos that would ultimately result in a conservative landslide.  It was not to be and I continue to be astonished at just how much was ceded to the junior party.
   
On the positive side, new labour has gone and we should all be grateful for that.  We have a coalition who have promised: 

1. To tackle the deficit immediately with six billion of spending cuts this year.
2. Not to join the euro during the lifetime of this parliament.  With the first of the PIGS countries on the verge of economic collapse, just how hard can it have been to agree to that.
3. To protect the commitment to a unilateral nuclear deterrent.
4. Not to cede further powers to the European Union, without a referendum.  I assume this was also not to difficult to agree given the current situation with hedge fund legislation, the Greek economy and the Lisbon treaty.
5. To raise the threshold for income tax to £10,000.  This is excellent, as it both disproportionally helps the less well off and makes a life at work more attractive relative to a life on benefits.
6. To clean up politics.  I am wondering what they talked about for five days, they must have agreed this item in less time than it takes to make a cup of tea. 

This is classic middle England politics.  Sound financial management, defending the country and helping the less well off who are trying to support themselves (a hand up not a hand out).
It is true to say that not everything is perfect, it is however, an order of magnitude better than it was a few short days ago.  I shall monitor progress closely but I am signing up to this contract with the conservative liberal democrat coalition.
 
I commend it to you all
Best Wishes
Will