IT IS no surprise that glowing commendations of the Government’s record are pretty thin on the ground.

Indeed, its performance on every measure is an unmitigated disaster, with not a single economic indicator offering a shred of comfort. Chancellor George Osborne, with his poor history degree, is clearly illequipped intellectually to confront the oncoming economic catastrophe, with nothing but his cut, cut, cut strategy to offer.

What a shambles.

On a positive note, David Cameron’s rambling conference speech offered a priceless nugget.

He embarrassed his audience of Tory backwoodsmen into applauding civil partnerships.

This courageous support for an enlightened attitude to the gay community was breathtakingly audacious and was by far the highlight of the party conference season.

It is truly a high point in the triumph of secular compassion and reason over religious bigotry.

We are privileged to have political leaders who have turned their backs on Stone Age superstition. Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg are declared atheists; David Cameron declares his “faith, such as it is, coming and going like FM radio reception”.

This is good news indeed, no American politician would dare to be so honest, but we must be ever vigilant and never forget what brutal tortures were visited on homosexuals in this country when those of faith held power.

All hail, David Cameron.

Rob Meggs, Hartlepool.