My post election thoughts

Well, it was certainly an eventful election.

A few months ago, did anyone seriously see the possibility of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats forming a government together? I doubt it.

During the course of the election campaigns the parties did demonstrate that their policies were a lot closer than people realised.

There were a few differences of opinion, but that's what forming a coalition is all about. Finding things you agree on, making compromises or finding the best fair solution to things you don't agree on.

I'm generally enthusiastic that this government will work, I think a strong team has been assembled from the best of the 2 parties.

Hopefully it isn't too late to avoid a double dip recession - something I firmly believe we were heading for under the policies of the previous government.

As unpopular as they are with public sector workers (I should know, my partner is one of them) drastic cuts in spending ARE necessary and are the ONLY way to repair the damage already done by Labour's "buy now pay later" policies.

I also believe that some form of privatisation of Royal Mail is a sensible move. Mandelson lost his bottle due to union pressure, I don't think Cable will. It will raise much needed cash for public funds, and hopefully install a bit of private sector work ethic. I know at least one of my friends reading this will shake their head, but as a large customer of Royal Mail I believe it is badly needed. Royal Mail as an organisation has little respect for customers. It treats its business customers badly. It delivers mail too late in the day for many consumers. It needs to change, it needs to learn to be more customer focused. There are some great, passionate and loyal people working for Royal Mail - there are also some militants intent on causing trouble for whoever is running it. Something needs to change - private sector values might just do that.

Running a country on tick is asking for trouble, during boom you can get away with it due to higher tax revenues.... but then when something goes wrong it comes back to bite you.

This must never be allowed to happen again.