Talking about coalitions, we've come to understand the challenges of governing in a cooperative environment, where differing ideologies cause disagreements and distractions, leaving the biggest party with responsibility, but without any real authority. We put them there, so we only have ourselves to blame. And if we think our two-party coalition is a problem, think about Europe, where seventeen members of the European Union share a malfunctioning currency union without any visible means of resolution. It'll take a decade to sort it out.

Luckily, businesses don't suffer from the same paralysis as government. It just can't happen. They have to fight for their survival, with the 50% or so who generate the nation's wealth having to pay for themselves as well as the other 50%, even though their rewards, in general, are lower.

So let's not talk about House of Lords reform, or get distracted by ideology. We need clear thinking and, in case our politicians are listening, here are five recommendations to get the UK back on track:

• Education. Bring back literacy, competitiveness and the winning culture. Teach and encourage entrepreneurship. Tell our children that 'if it's to be, it's up to me'.

• Infrastructure. Be bold and enabling for the long term. Fix our overcrowded roads, underfunded public transport and embarrassing international hubs.

• Banking. Work with the banks to make them stable, solvent and, above all, suitable for our nation's future needs.

• Regulation. Encourage wealth creation and risk taking by simplifying and reducing taxation and the burden of business related legislation.

• Public spending. Abandon the nanny state. Look after the needy, the old and the disabled and develop policies that mean the rest must look after themselves.