The Platinum Jubilee showed Britain at its best. For any one nation to produce both Trooping the Colour and Paddington Bear is remarkable indeed!
The Jubilee was watched by over 1 billion people around the world, they saw brilliant national events including Trooping the Colour and the Flypast; the Jubilee Concert and superbly quirky Pageant.
What they would not have seen were the events in countless towns, villages, streets and neighbourhoods. Horsham produced one of 3,500 beacons lit Thursday evening, I loved attending local events which featured Jubilee plaques, benches and even (from Rusper Church Tower) Teddy Bear parachuting….
The weekend was a happy reminder that there is so much that binds us together which includes respect for Her Majesty and her decades of service.
Following the Jubilee weekend a vote of no confidence was called in the Prime Minister. I had read Sue Gray’s report thoroughly. I also took into account the record of the Prime Minister over the last three years.
The Gray report makes clear that events happened in Downing Street that should not. Changes have since been made in both structure and personnel in Downing Street and it is right that the Prime Minister apologised for what took place.
The Prime Minister has shown leadership on vital issues. All major parties promised at one stage or another to implement the result of the European Referendum, he did it, taking Parliament beyond a seemingly irresolvable impasse. His focus on the rapid development of a vaccine and building up U.K. vaccine manufacturing capability saved lives and got us out of lockdown earlier than most. Above all I have seen him on Ukraine taking incredibly difficult decisions and providing a real lead to the whole West – actions which I am certain are not only morally right but in the long term make us safer.
For these reasons I supported the Prime Minister, I appreciate that not all will share my view but I have confidence that he will continue to deliver through what has been and continues to be a hugely difficult time throughout the world.