New Prime Minister David Cameron said tonight that the country faced deep and pressing problems but that he and Nick Clegg would put aside party differences to deliver strong government.

Mr Cameron said: "Nick Clegg and I are both political leaders who want to put aside party differences and work hard for the common good and for the national interest.

"I believe that is the best way to get the strong Government that we need, decisive Government that we need today.

"I came into politics because I love this country, I think its best days still lie ahead and I believe deeply in public service, and I think the service our country needs right now is to face up to our really big challenges, to confront our problems, to take difficult decisions, to lead people through those difficult decisions so that together we can reach better times ahead."

The Prime Minister went on: "One of the tasks that we clearly have is to rebuild trust in our political system.

"Yes, that's about cleaning up expenses, yes, that's about reforming parliament, and yes, it's about making sure people are in control and that the politicians are always their servants and never their masters.

"But I believe it's also something else - it's about being honest about what government can achieve.

"Real change is not what government can do on its own, real change is when everyone pulls together, comes together, works together, when we all exercise our responsibilities to ourselves, our families, to our communities and to others.

"And I want to build a more responsible society here in Britain, one where we don't just ask what are my entitlements but what are my responsibilities, one where we don't ask what am I just owed but more what can I give, and a guide for that society that those that can should and those who can't we will always help."