As a member of the Liberal Democrats, I want to respond to recent critics of our decision to join a coalition government.

As a party, we have argued for many years for proportional representation which would invariably lead to coalition government.

To then not accept a coalition at the first instance and to hide away on the back benches in a time of national need would have been an act of cowardice. We were clear before the election that if a hung Parliament occurred we would support with the party with the biggest mandate and we would negotiate around our four pledges of fair taxes, fairer politics, fair jobs and a fairer start for children. We have kept our word. It may be unpalatable for many on the Left who voted for the Lib Dems, but now is a time for grown-up politics that can deliver stability for the economy and also change where it is needed.

I hope all people will see this move as in the national interest and rise above the old tribal politics of the past.

Tom Holvey, Liberal Democrat councillor for Dringhouses and Woodthorpe, Ashbourne Way, York.