WHATEVER our personal political persuasion, it cannot be ignored the fact that the UK has emerged from this worldwide recession as one of the strongest economies in the Western world.

I would acknowledge that it is likely the poorest in our society have suffered most because they had little or nothing at all to fall back on compared with the better-off during such hard times.

That is why they should be the first priority of whatever government who inherits this strong economy after the forthcoming election.

However I take issue with the fact that David Cameron is claiming this as a success for the Conservative Party.

I would remind him and the country that the government he led, and which successfully brought us through this crisis, was a coalition and those ministers from the Liberal Party who were ministers in the Cabinet were successful in tempering the excesses of the right wing Conservative Party.

Men like Nick Clegg, as deputy prime minister, business secretary Vince Cable and chief secretary to the treasury Danny Alexander among others.

Latterly this government has been able to introduce policies relating to tax which directly affects the most vulnerable in our society.

Of course, being the junior partner meant the Liberal Party had to forego many of its own electoral policies and promises, but compromise is the reality of a coalition government which allows society to function.

For me it is interesting that of all the varied options available to voters, we are not given the opportunity to vote for a very successful coalition party.

Such is democracy.

D Pattison, Weardale.