David Cameron says he is ‘even more committed’ to coalition despite Tory rebellion over Lords reform

Published on 16/07/2012 18:01

THE Prime Minister David Cameron said today he was “even more committed” to the coalition than he was when it was formed two years ago.

Mr Cameron was responding to the recent strain on the partnership and admitted questions had been raised about the future of the political pact between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in the wake of the Tory rebellion last week over House of Lords reform.

But he insisted there was a “huge momentum” in the Government to rebalance the economy and education reforms.

Speaking on a joint visit to Birmingham with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, where they announced a £9.4bn investment in the electrification of Britain’s railways, he said: “I just want to say I am even more committed to coalition government, to making this coalition government, today than I was in May 2010 when Nick Clegg and I formed this government.

“I believe it has real purpose, a real mission.”

Mr Clegg dismissed the Lords row as insignificant and merely one of the “bumps in the road” to be expected in the circumstances, especially on an issue which excited strong opinions among politicians.

But despite disagreements between the two parties, he added: “None of that will stop us from continuing to govern in the national interest for the country.”