This coalition government received a chalice poisoned by years of a Labour government. Yes the measures they are taking may seem harsh, but no treatment worth it's salt is without pain.

Gone are the days when unions and red card holders could hold the country to ransom.

Ian Paisley did it in the early seventies when I was serving in Ulster, he closed down power stations, petrol stations, railway stations and the road network.

Please allow this government to get on with the job in hand. We will come out of it richer, wiser and rewarded.