RIGHT-WING voices howled that this week’s dramatic political tug-of-war was proof that voting reform would be a disaster – but they could not be more wrong.

The mere fact that Britain had never before experienced such extraordinary post-election twists and turns did not mean the nation was going down the plughole over those five extraordinary days.

In fact, the average time taken to form a new government in other European countries – where coalitions are commonplace – is about five weeks, with no panic setting in.

Furthermore, for all the hysterical predictions of apocalypse in the City, it appeared that those traders who ruined us all were relaxed about the short delay before the Queen’s hand was kissed.

Sterling fell a bit – but that was good news, helping an export-led recovery – and a sale of government bonds, at the height of the uncertainty on Tuesday, was 2.5 times oversubscribed.

Most of all, it is worth remembering that the stalemate happened under first-pastthe- post. With three-party politics, it will happen again – even if we stick with our 19th Century voting system.

No, our politicians behaved with dignity and there were no violent protests on the streets. In short, there was nothing at all to worry about.

Whatever the doubts about how long the odd couple of David Cameron and Nick Clegg can survive in their unlikely marriage, Britain will have a stronger government than if the Tories had won outright.

The next few years will be painful, with savage cuts and big tax hikes. They will enjoy greater public support if implemented jointly by two parties.

Once again, the Tories did badly in the North last Thursday, but the Liberal Democrats have legitimacy in the regions most vulnerable to public spending cuts. Equally, Labour is in fast retreat in the South, but Mr Clegg’s forces do enjoy support in those parts of England where most tax is gathered – and much, much more will have to be.

So, given the Commons arithmetic, we have a better government than the alternative and proof that we have nothing to fear from a hung parliament, but what hopes for getting a better voting system?

The concern must be that the Lib Dems have settled for too little and that the referendum on AV (alternative vote) – which allows voters to rank candidates, to ensure the winner enjoys 50 per cent support – will be lost. It will be fought in the teeth of opposition from the Conservatives and the bulk of the media and with Labour indifference to the result at best.

Before then, what appeared clear yesterday was that the cuts to come will be even more savage after Labour’s National Insurance hikes were either scrapped, or reallocated.

And what price a VAT hike in the July Budget?

That will revive memories of those “VAT bombshell” warnings during the election campaign – as made by Mr Clegg himself.

ONE obvious clash to come is over Tory plans for “free schools”, which involve emasculating town halls to allow charities, businesses and groups of parents to move in. Sadly, there was no space to square this with Lib Dem faith in local councils in the seven-page coalition document released yesterday – although there was space to pledge a crackdown on the importing of illegal timber.