Happy first anniversary coalition, and four more returns!

It’s a year today since the coalition government was formed – twelve month ago the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats came together putting to one side party posturing for the national interest to provide our nation with the strong, stable government it needed to put it back on track – so let’s have a look at what they have achieved thus far!

1 – Saved £6 billion last year – keeping the UK out of the financial danger zone – and are on course to balance the books within the next four years.

2 – Protected families with an extra £180 in child tax credits.

3 – Took millions of low income earners out of tax all together.

4 – Restored pension and linked it to earnings – therefore making sure the elderly get an extra £15,000 over their retirement.

5 – Brought the localism bill, which introduced the largest shift in power from state to communities – “People know better than any government what’s best for them and are always happier when allowed to sort out their own lives”

6 – Protected the NHS and increased its budget – with further reforms to follow after more public consultations – the service will have real time increases while improving its output.

7 – Kept its promise on international development spending – in this most difficult of times by helping the poorest in the poorest nation across the world.

8 – Build more Academies in twelve month than Labour did in their thirteen years of government plus getting more money into schools to help poorer pupils.

9 – Cut corporations tax to new Enterprise Zones.

10 – Introduced a Bill that makes sure no more government powers are handed to Europe without a referendum from the people of Britain.

11 – Advanced Britain’s national interest abroad with a Strategic Defense and Security Review

12 – Equipped our armed forces by establishing a National Security Council to oversee the protection of our national security.

13 – Ended child detention.

14 – Introduced free nursery education for disadvantaged 2 year olds.

15 – Created a Green Investment Bank and a green deal.

To echo the words of Tim Farron MP, the Liberal Democrats President: “Be calm and carry on but learn from the lesson!” is the best advice to for the start of the second year of the coalition.