Britain woke up to a new political era Wednesday with its first coalition government since World War II, an unlikely marriage between the right-wing Conservative Party, reborn under modernizing new Prime Minister David Cameron and the left-leaning Liberal Democrats. With a handshake, smiles and waves, Cameron welcomed his new coalition partner, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, outside the shiny black door at 10 Downing Street and set off on the business of running the country. The alliance was necessary because no party won a majority of parliamentary seats in last week's national vote. Britons struggling to make ends meet during a punishing recession have been enraged at politicians of all stripes after a damaging lawmakers' expense scandal last year.