The biggest step yet for the new coalition government in the UK (and oh, how those words still seem so odd to say!) is the package of spending cuts unveiled before parliament today.
Of particular interest is how Deputy PM Nick Clegg is explaining the process to his own party. From the party website:
The spending review is a thoroughly Coalition product. Liberal Democrat ministers have been involved every step of the way. Our values and priorities are written through the review, like the message in a stick of rock. We have had to make some very difficult choices. But the review is one that promotes fairness, underpins growth, reduces carbon emissions and localises power.
[...]
Liberal Democrat ministers have fought to ensure that the burden of the challenge ahead is shared fairly. On child benefit, capital gains and tax evasion and avoidance – this government is making the well off pay their share. And for those services that matter most to the vulnerable in our society, such as health and social care and early years education, spending is being protected.
The not-so-subtext is, were it not for us in coalition, those other folks would have made cuts that were a lot less fair.
