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Tag: Speeches

  • Justin Welby – 2021 Statement Following Death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    Justin Welby – 2021 Statement Following Death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    The statement made by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, on 9 April 2021.

    I join with the rest of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in mourning the loss of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, and give thanks to God for his extraordinary life of dedicated service. Prince Philip continually demonstrated his unfailing support and unstinting loyalty to Her Majesty The Queen for 73 years.

    He consistently put the interests of others ahead of his own and, in so doing, provided an outstanding example of Christian service. During his naval career, in which he served with distinction in the Second World War, he won the respect of his peers as an outstanding officer.

    On the occasions when I met him, I was always struck by his obvious joy at life, his enquiring mind and his ability to communicate to people from every background and walk of life. He was a master at putting people at their ease and making them feel special.

    The legacy he leaves is enormous. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which he founded in 1956, has inspired generations of young people to help others and instilled in them a vision for citizenship and a desire to serve their communities. His work with countless charities and organisations reflected his wide- ranging, global interests in topics including wildlife, sport, design, engineering and inter-faith dialogue.

    In his powerful advocacy for conservation his was a prophetic voice for over half a century, as he brought people from around the world to a new concern and commitment to action for the future of our planet.

    As we recover and rebuild after the terrible trial of the coronavirus pandemic, we will need fortitude and a deep sense of commitment to serving others. Throughout his life Prince Philip displayed those qualities in abundance, and I pray that we can take inspiration from his example.

    I also join many people in giving thanks for the marriage of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip, and for their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Theirs was a marriage grounded in friendship and mutual respect and sustained by shared faith in Christ.

    I pray that God will comfort Her Majesty and the rest of the Royal Family at this time. May His Royal Highness rest in peace and rise in glory.

  • Vicky Ford – 2021 Comments on SEND Support

    Vicky Ford – 2021 Comments on SEND Support

    The comments made by Vicky Ford, the Children and Families Minister, on 9 April 2021.

    Every child or young person with SEND should go to school feeling confident that they will get the tailored support they need at school, and every teacher should be equipped with the right facilities to teach those pupils.

    We have already increased the high needs budget by nearly a quarter over the past two years. This additional investment will enable local authorities to invest more in creating excellent school places or enhancing existing provision so that pupils with additional needs and disabilities get the same opportunities as any other.

  • Brandon Lewis – 2021 Statement Following Death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    Brandon Lewis – 2021 Statement Following Death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    The statement made by Brandon Lewis, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on 10 April 2021.

    Prince Philip lived an extraordinary life of service – the Queen’s loyal consort, a naval hero and a man who inspired so many across Northern Ireland, and the world, through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

    As a regular visitor to Northern Ireland, having made 56 official visits in his lifetime, I know there will be many people who will wish to pay their respects and mourn his passing. He will be remembered not only as a truly dedicated public servant but also a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

    My deepest condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the whole of the Royal family as they mourn this tremendous loss.

  • Jim McMahon – 2021 Comments on Global Travel Taskforce’s Report

    Jim McMahon – 2021 Comments on Global Travel Taskforce’s Report

    The comments made by Jim McMahon, the Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, on 9 April 2021.

    Time and again the UK Government have been devoid of strategy when it comes to protecting our borders against Covid.

    At a time when cases are rising across Europe and the threat of variants remains deeply worrying, we need a comprehensive hotel quarantine system, to help protect the gains of the vaccine. The first priority has to be keeping people safe.

    Labour will look at these proposals, but proper details and clarity about strategy are vital. This must include the criteria by which the ‘traffic lights’ will be decided, as well as clear information for travellers and industry, about what test will be required and resulting costs.

    It will take a long time for international travel to recover from the impact of the virus. The Government must come up with a comprehensive financial support package for the aviation sector and its supply chain which supports almost a quarter of a million jobs and protects the environment and stimulates further decarbonisation of the industry.

  • Kate Green – 2021 Comments on Mental Health Issues Amongst Children

    Kate Green – 2021 Comments on Mental Health Issues Amongst Children

    The comments made by Kate Green, the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, on 9 April 2021.

    The pressure the Conservatives are putting on children to ‘catch-up’ academically ignores the crucial role mental health and wellbeing play in children’s learning and development.

    The pandemic has exacerbated a decade of Conservative failure, with more families struggling to pay the bills and living in insecure housing, while specialist mental health support has been cut.

    Labour’s Bright Future Taskforce would put wellbeing at the heart of a national strategy to ensure every child recovers from the pandemic and is supported to reach their full potential.

  • Oliver Heald – 2021 Comments on the Death of Ian Gibson

    Oliver Heald – 2021 Comments on the Death of Ian Gibson

    The comments made by Oliver Heald on 9 April 2021.

    Ian Gibson, Labour MP of years gone by has sadly passed away. A good MP and one prepared to make common cause across Party.

  • Owen Paterson – 2021 Statement Following Death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    Owen Paterson – 2021 Statement Following Death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    The statement made by Owen Paterson on 9 April 2021.

    HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was an extraordinary public servant.

    A naval hero, Mentioned in Despatches for service at the Battle of Cape Matapan.

    Inspired generations of young people through Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

    My deepest condolences to HM The Queen & Royal Family.

  • Greg Hands – 2021 Statement Following Death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    Greg Hands – 2021 Statement Following Death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    The statement made by Greg Hands, the Conservative MP for Chelsea and Fulham, on 9 April 2021.

    First time I met Prince Philip was, in retrospect, very funny.

    Elected MP for Chelsea, May 2010, I was in the receiving line at the Chelsea Flower Show, a few days after.

    I had practised my bow, nervously.

    On performing it, he looked at me & asked:

    “Are you new?”

  • Barack Obama – 2021 Statement Following Death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    Barack Obama – 2021 Statement Following Death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    The statement made by Barack Obama, the former President of the United States, on 9 April 2021.

    When we first met His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, he and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had already been on the world stage for more than half a century — welcoming leaders like Churchill and Kennedy; Mandela and Gorbachev. As two Americans unaccustomed to palaces and pomp, we didn’t know what to expect.

    We shouldn’t have worried. The Queen and Prince Philip immediately put us at ease with their grace and generosity, turning a ceremonial occasion into something far more natural, even comfortable. Prince Philip in particular was kind and warm, with a sharp wit and unfailing good humor. It was our first introduction to the man behind the title, and in the years since, our admiration for him has only grown. We will miss him dearly.

    Like the Queen, Prince Philip saw world wars and economic crises come and go. The radio gave way to the television, and the television to the internet. And through it all, he helped provide steady leadership and guiding wisdom. It has long been said that the United States and Great Britain have a special relationship — one that has been maintained and strengthened not just by presidents and prime ministers but by the Royal Family that has outlasted them all.

    At the Queen’s side or trailing the customary two steps behind, Prince Philip showed the world what it meant to be a supportive husband to a powerful woman. Yet he also found a way to lead without demanding the spotlight — serving in combat in World War II, commanding a frigate in the Royal Navy, and tirelessly touring the world to champion British industry and excellence. Through his extraordinary example, he proved that true partnership has room for both ambition and selflessness — all in service of something greater.

    As the world mourns his loss, we send our warmest wishes and deepest sympathies to the Queen, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and everyone who knew and loved this remarkable man.

  • Zarah Sultana – 2021 Statement Following Death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    Zarah Sultana – 2021 Statement Following Death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

    The statement made by Zarah Sultana, the Labour MP for Coventry South, on 9 April 2021.

    Condolences to the Windsor family on the loss of their husband, father and grandfather Philip – and thoughts with everyone whose life he touched.

    Far too many families have experienced the loss of a loved one this past year, and we mourn for each of them.