Now is the time for leadership

I will make further comments on the post-election fallout especially in terms of the local situation in Swansea West (where I stood for the Conservatives) but as time is marching on I need to make some comment on the current talks between my Party and the Liberal Democrats. Even before I finish these words, they may become obsolete, so I better type fast!


In short, I support the idea of a Conservative-Liberal Democrat formal coalition. The UK needs a strong, determined Government, with a full four-year plan to tackle the debt crisis, deal with the deficit and rebuild the economy. As the economies of Europe look set to fall like dominoes, it is vital that the British people have a Government that is strong, robust and sustainable.


Moreover, the new Government must renew our political system and take action to confront a failing society, protect our vital public services and return pride and self-determination to our local communities.


David Skelton has written eloquently and with passion about the need for a coalition of the progressive centre and I do not need to add to his fine words at this juncture.


Tim Crockford, Chair of the Tory Reform Group, had also issued a call to the Party to embrace the idea of a formal coalition with the Liberal Democrats and I fully endorse his position (I will declare that I am a vice-chair of the TRG Cymru).


We stand on one of the most important junctions in the political history of this nation. Down one road lies isolationism, petty partisanship and a missed opportunity to profoundly affect the destination of this nation. The other fork will lead our Party to delivering change for Britain, renewing our democratic institutions, creating a new economic model, developing a new approach to the protection of our environment and helping the most deprived communities of this land to enjoy a greater share of this nation's wealth. 


Now is the time for leadership and for courage. The Leaders of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats need to make bold decisions and grasp this historic opportunity with both hands. For them the prize is to build a government of the radical and progressive centre ground, one which can turn our country away from top-down, state-centred solutions to one which will truly introduce the concepts of localism and the big society. My Party and the Liberal Democrats may disagree on some details, but we are united in opposing the Labour Party's obsession with Whitehall-imposed targets and the centrist instincts of Brown & co.


For the sake of this great nation, the Conservative Party must step up to the plate, grasp this opportunity and seek to govern in the national interest and head a strong and purposeful government in coalition with the Liberal Democrats.


We shall see which fork in the road has been taken later today (we hope!).