I WRITE this column on the first anniversary of the creation of the Liberal Democrat-Conservative coalition, looking back on a very special year for me.
It is now 12 months since the 2010 General Election. It was one of the most significant elections in the recent history of both the United Kingdom and Montgomeryshire. It was also a seismic event in my own personal and political life.
The most important fact to remember about the 2010 General Election is that no party won. The Conservative Party did win more seats than any other party, but fell well short of enough to form a Government. For a few days there was a hiatus, with no-one knowing what was going to happen. Step forward David Cameron and Nick Clegg. These two visionary politicians agreed to set aside their narrow party interests, and led their parties into a coalition government in the national interest.
Even though a brand new MP, I was hugely supportive of this. On the coalition’s first anniversary, I remain as strongly committed to the coalition as ever.
The immediate problem facing the new coalition last year was the massive annual deficit in the public finances. It was a desperate situation, unheard of in peace time. The previous government had been spending about £400 million more than was coming in every single day. It had been spending £120 million every single day on the interest payments on the National Debt.
This simply could not carry on. Both Nick Clegg and David Cameron knew that unless something dramatic was done to greatly reduce public spending, the UK was heading for the financial rocks. Britain would have gone the same way as Greece, Ireland and Portugal. It was a time in Britain’s history that demanded great political courage and determination from its leaders.
The coalition government has had to take some very difficult decisions. Many people living in Montgomeryshire may have been affected by changes, or may be worried about the future. In particular, students are worried about higher tuition fees. Public and private sector workers are worried about maintaining the value of their pensions. Many people on benefits are deeply concerned about whether these benefits will continue into the future. But in our hearts, most of us know that if the coalition government does not regain control over our public finances, we will all suffer, and it’s the poorest in society who will suffer most.
Both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives know that we cannot afford to fail in the mission we are embarked upon.
It’s also been an amazing year for me, as I’ve tried to come to terms with the pressures of the job of being an MP in a coalition government, as well as becoming a member of the Wales Office team. It’s been a huge privilege to be an MP at a time when political history is being made in Britain – when two of Britain's great parties have come together to repair the damage caused by the other one.
Throughout the year, the impact of budget reductions have been the main issue, but the year ends with the proposals to wreck our countryside with pylons and turbines dominating my work. I must do everything I can to try to stop this madness going ahead.
My first year in Westminster ended on an encouraging political note for me, when my good friend and colleague, Russell George was elected to represent Montgomeryshire on the National Assembly for Wales.
Russ is a dedicated, principled and brilliantly organised man, who thoroughly deserved his victory. I believe he will very quickly make his mark in Cardiff Bay,
As a team, we face a difficult challenge, as spending reductions work through the system, but I want the people of Montgomeryshire to know that we will do our absolute best for them.