Clegg: Lib Dem course is not easy, but right
Liberal Democrat deputy prime minister Nick Clegg delivers his new year's message in a video recording to party members:
"When I recorded this message last year I spoke about how the most important job for Liberal Democrats was dealing with the economic problems we inherited. 12 months on, that task remains the number one priority for our party and the Coalition.
"We have had to make some very difficult decisions, but they've been the right ones for the long term good of our country. A country that was at risk of falling prey to the international markets has been pulled back from the brink.
"We only need to look at what is happening in countries on our European doorstep to see what we could have ended up dealing with in 2011.
"But that economic rescue mission is not over yet and there is much more we must do. That's why, thanks to the Liberal Democrats, the Government has been helping people get through these difficult times with measures to make life fairer and easier.
"2011 was the year we lifted nearly a million low paid workers out of paying income tax altogether and cut taxes for 23m people – because I believe putting money back into people's pockets makes all the difference;
"It was the year more than a million children got a fairer start in life, with extra support at school through our Pupil Premium and free early years education for toddlers – because I believe that helping the youngest take their first steps in life makes all the difference; the year we guaranteed pensioners a decent increase in their pension – because I believe dignity in retirement makes all the difference.
"Throughout, we have taken big long term decisions that will change the way our economy works for the better – rebalancing our economy away from the City of London towards stronger, more sustainable growth.
"And next year we will do more. The world's first Green Investment Bank putting millions into green jobs and growth; our youth contract to get every young person out of work earning or learning; more apprenticeships than this country has ever had before; major investment in areas facing difficulties from the Regional Growth Fund and greater freedom to boost jobs in our great cities; and we will take further steps to make our tax system fairer too.
"What we're doing as a party, and as a Coalition, it's not easy, but it's right. We are putting the interests of the country first, and we have taken the first steps towards building a fairer, greener and more liberal country.
"We have worked flat out to restore confidence in the economy and started to transform Britain for the better. It's an ambition of which we should be proud.
"There are no easy years when you are in government, and we have had to show real strength in 2011. The next year will be one that poses many great challenges for everyone in Britain, but I know we must continue to do what's right for our country.
"And with that, I wish you all a very happy New Year."
