Dave Loader, Chairman of Esher and Walton Liberal Democrats writes....

Politics never ceases to amaze me and the 2010 General Election will surely be one that is talked about for many years to come.

I doubt many believed at the beginning of the campaign that we would see Liberal Democrat government ministers and policies being implemented and during the campaign many of us would have been hoping for over a hundred Lib Dem MPs.

The fact that we have the first and not the second is testament to the voting system that, like much to do with politics, badly needs modernising to reflect the world we live in.

As we now know, and many of us suspected before the election, the Labour government had been economical with the truth about the financial situation of the country. Thankfully the Conservatives failed to gain total control on a minority vote, and to be fair, David Cameron respected the voters wishes. Credit to Nick Clegg as well for recognising just how terrible the situation facing the U.K. is as we teeter on the edge of financial collapse that we have seen in Greece and elsewhere.

It would have been an easy option to sit in the comfort zone in opposition rather than opt to play a key role in sorting out the mess Labour left behind.

Nick and his Lib Dem colleagues in government have shown the responsibility and the drive needed in these troubled times and clearly David Cameron and many of the Tories have recognised the importance of this, particularly as the right wing of the Tory party would have made sure that draconian cuts would have been made everywhere and affect everyone with the exception of the wealthy.

The budget was not happy reading and of course the rise in VAT and some of the other actions are not what the Lib Dems fought the election campaign on, but think about it. Suppose we had won an outright victory and then discovered the true mess that Labour left, what would be able to do?

The future for us and our children (and even their children) is just too important. So painful sacrifices, tough decisions and genuine, responsible, fair, government have had to be the outcome.

The Lib Dems are helping in this vital process and whilst we may be uneasy about some things we should be extremely proud of our contribution to the decision making process in the coalition government and we should turn our anger and actions against the Labour party for the gross incompetence, failure to act responsibly and the hiding of the truth that has created this truly awful situation.

Patience and realism is vitally important right now and we will see more of the benefits of the Lib Dem voices in government as changes to the outdated electoral system, the raising of the tax thresholds and other key Lib Dem policies are implemented later in the life of this Parliament.

So much for the "election" but I cannot end without mentioning the Elmbridge Council Elections. Congratulations to Shweta Kapadia and Jimmy Cartwright for the successful defence of our seats in Long Ditton and Claygate.

The next months and years will be challenging - and exciting!!

To find out more about the Lib Dems locally email info@esherandwaltonlibdems.org.uk

Do you have a view on what the Chairman has written?

Write to him at 9 Harefield, Hinchley Wood, Surrey, KT10 9TG. Telephone him at 020 8398 5997. Email him at info@esherandwaltonlibdems.org.uk