UK PM, deputy PM give \'unwavering\' support to coalition

British Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg remain \"unwavering\" in their support of the coalition despite a rocky first half-term, a statement released by the pair said Monday. The mid-term review admitted that the Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders had not always \"seen eye to eye\" and predicted further dust-ups ahead, but insisted \"on the things that matter most... our resolve and sense of shared purpose have, if anything, grown over time. \"In just two years we have cut the deficit by a quarter and have set out a credible path towards our goal to balance the current budget over the economic cycle,\" said the statement. \"We have not baulked at the tough decisions needed to secure Britain\'s future,\" it added. \"We have consistently chosen to do what is right over what is easy or popular; what is in our country\'s long-term interest over our parties\' short-term interest.\" The leaders stressed the importance of building \"a stronger, more balanced economy\" which can meet the challenge of competition from emerging markets, and of revamping the welfare system. Over the next two years, the government will clear the way for more houses to be built, set out plans for long-term investment in transport infrastructure and announce an \"improved\" state pension, according to the release. \"Our approach is consistent: to help hard-working families get by and get on, so that everyone can reach their full potential,\" it said. \"And our resolve is unwavering: we will continue to put political partisanship to one side to govern in the long-term interests of the country.\" The two parties signed the coalition agreement in May 2010 and have since clashed over many issues including student fees, energy policy and bank reform.