New coalition government could work - we hope

In the first formal coalition government since the Second World War (if you overlook the Lib/Lab pact of the 1970s), we have the interesting situation where two political parties who usually stare at each other over the fence have made a deal.

If the new government is to work, it will need to combine the best of both colours - Tory pragmatism tempered by Liberal Democrat social conscience.

We are still facing an economic crisis and changes have to be made, but if Cameron goes too far with public service cuts, then Clegg is in a position to act as a brake.

At the moment the coalition is in its honeymoon stage - it will be interesting to see what happens further down the line, especially with the questions of electoral reform and Britain's role in Europe.

The differences between the two parties are clear. However that may be, we need strong leadership and if the Tories and Lib Dems make a success of working together, this should be achieved.

Election special

OUR much-publicised and warmly welcomed election special failed to hit the streets of Bexhill until Saturday, when we had hoped in good faith to have had it with you by mid-morning on Friday.

While the edition was ready in good time, complications at our print plant in Portsmouth led to this delay.

We wish to apologise to our readers and newsagents, and to the election candidates themselves, for being unable to keep our promise. We hope that the disappointment over the delay was tempered by the comprehensive election coverage and analysis that we brought to you.

The supplement was a liberal idea and a labour of love - but unfortunately we should perhaps have been a little more more conservative in our planning!