Well, there we are. An extraordinary few days.

I'm rather pleased to be impressed with Prime Minister Cameron. The coalition with the Liberals is far-sighted, and the policy compromises on both sides are genuinely intelligent. The Liberals have given most ground, as they should, but the step towards an AV referendum is sensible. I'm a little sad that the rumour circulating that Osborne was to be replaced by Ken Clarke and Vince Cable as First Secretary proved unfounded, but I still think young Osborne will be Lamonted later this year.

A real coalition government, and for the first time since the war. I hope it proves stable, as I think it gives the best hope for the serious decisions to come.

I was particularly amused by the way Labour imploded and gave Mr Clegg every reason to abandon talks. Contrary to some views expressed above, I think his approach was well-timed, putting fear into the Tories just when he needed them to get serious about sealing the deal. Good negotiating, and he would never have been able to sell the Tory deal to his own party if he hadn't explored the "progressive" option. Then Labour gave him the perfect way out - they proved not to be serious. Boom, straight back to the Tory negotiators, who jumped with joy, and to his own party he could shrug and say it was never on with Labour. Deal done.

Far from being an opportunist, I thought he proved himself a shrewd politician. He and Cameron seem to get on (as opposed to Brown's bullying phone calls) which bodes well for a partnership.

I think the country is in good hands. Now for the pain.