PM and Deputy PM hold first press conference
Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg have held their first joint press conference following their appointments.
The Prime Minister said the new coalition administration will be united behind the principles of freedom, fairness and responsibility and its key purpose would be to provide “strong, stable and determined” leadership for the long term.
Speaking to press in the Downing Street garden on their first full day in office, Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg emphasised their “shared resolve” to tackle the challenges facing Britain.
Mr Cameron said:
We have a shared agenda and a shared resolve to tackle the challenges our country faces; to safeguard our national security and support our troops abroad, to tackle the debt crisis, to repair our broken political system and to build a stronger society.
Mr Clegg said:
At a time of such enormous difficulties our country needed a strong and stable government. It needed an ambitious government determined to work relentlessly for a better future. And that is what we have come together in this coalition to provide.
During the day, the Prime Minister also finalised appointments to the new Cabinet.
Speeches and transcripts: PM and Deputy PM press conference