WELWYN Hatfield MP Grant Shapps believes the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition will unite the country and provide “stable government”.

Mr Shapps, returned to parliament for a second term last week with a 17,423 majority, said: “When we were campaigning, people on the doorstep were saying ‘can’t you guys just get together?’. Well, that’s what we have done.

“These are extraordinary times, and we have enormous issues, like the huge deficit, to solve.

“To work together at this time, as a proper coalition with a decent majority, seems to make a lot of sense.”

He added: “I think there’s a real desire and willingness to make this work and have a full years in government.”