Victory!

This magazine had hoped for a Conservative government. We have what is arguably the next best thing: a government led by David Cameron but supported by some political mercenaries put in the positions where they inflict the least harm — and reform-minded Tories in positions where they can do most good. The strategy is fairly clear: give Lib Dems more Cabinet crowns and chauffeurs than they could have dreamed of. Tie them in for five years, and have them defend Tory policy on the airwaves. And then, crucially, let them share the blame for the Irish-style spending cuts to come.

Three appointments make this government, on balance, a victory for Conservatism. The first is the inspired choice of Iain Duncan Smith as Work and Pensions Secretary: no politician is more committed to welfare reform, or has thought more deeply about it. His last remaining mission in politics is to end the scandal of welfare dependence and through his Centre for Social Justice he has been preparing for this task for years. There is no politician alive better suited to this job, and no one more likely to work faster.

The next is keeping Michael Gove in Education. He is a personal guarantor of the free schools policy which could (if properly implemented) end the scandal of sink schools and restore social mobility. This magazine has said that their schools policy is, in itself, enough reason to vote Tory. Mr Gove as Education Secretary is, by extension, reason in itself to support this coalition government. The school agenda will stand or fall on attention to detail — only Mr Gove is really capable of this level of professionalism.