SO the election is over. Congratulations to the candidates who participated and to those who were on their campaign teams.

It takes some courage to stand for parliament and I imagine other candidates feel as I do that the loyalty and sheer hard work of those who volunteer to help is humbling to experience.

To all the many people who came forward to help our Conservative campaign, and to the people of Torridge and West Devon who have placed their trust in me again, my profound and sincere thanks. I shall not let you down.

Now, it is time to put aside the inevitable divisions and differences of the campaign and to work together for the good of our country and of our communities in Torridge and West Devon.

I have expressed the hope since the election result was known that we could find a basis for co-operation with the Liberal Democrats. The country acutely needs strong and stable government at this time of economic and financial crisis and there is no other viable or credible option since no other formation could command a clear majority in the House of Commons.

David Cameron has acted with integrity and with firm and principled leadership to go as far as he can to reach an arrangement with the smaller of the three main parties. He has set out clear and uncrossable red lines on the EU, on immigration and on defence. While, to accomplish that essential stability, an acknowledgement of the Lib Dems' preoccupation with electoral reform has been made, the main programme concentrates, as it must, on the economic emergency facing the country and on common ground reforms in vital areas such as education finance, tax and the environment.

At the time of writing, after a long six days, it is still not clear whether the Lib Dem leader will favour the fair, comprehensive and open offer made by David Cameron, or opt for a deal with Labour. I believe that a "coalition of losers", and propping up a rejected Labour Party, whatever the electoral temptations dangled before them, would not be forgiven by the country.

I hope that the Liberal Democrats will put party advantage behind the national interest and opt for the new co-operative government based on integrity, trust and mutual respect that is on offer.