Prime Minister
Thank you, Noel EdmondsNoel.
We, none of us, like to be separated from our families at Christmas. Indeed, most of us make for home at Christmas time. We have so many memories of Christmases past and memories not only of what happened, but also of the great warmth of the occasion.
This year is a bit special, because you are linking up with Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
I am hoping to go to Australia in August, because it is the bicentennial celebrations. I have been before. A lovely country.
And I have been to New Zealand too, but then, we just have a special link there because my Denis Thatcherhusband's family came from New Zealand and I know Singapore, a lovely country, full of vitality and vigour, wonderful people.
You know, Christmas past, we do have memories. I remember at home really the Christmas message of the then King George VI dominated the day as that of Elizabeth IIQueen Elizabeth does now. We had our [end p1] Christmas meal - somehow we seemed to eat much more than we do now - very full we got, but then it all had to be over so that we could listen to that BBC programme which went right round the world - Christmas round the world - coming up to the Christmas broadcast. After that, we went out for a walk.
Yes, you might think it trite to say Christmas is a family time, but it is and it matters, because those are the milestones in our lives. Those are the times when we get together and that is why we are getting together now on a much bigger scale, because the world has become not far-flung far distant countries, but a kind of global village and so to all families everywhere we say; Happy Christmas and a Good New Year!
(ELEVEN, TAKE ONE)
Prime Minister
Now, for the first time we are going to link up with our ships in the Gulf, the ships of the Royal Navy Armilla Patrol, which for several years now have been guarding over our merchant navy in the Gulf, doing it in that, oh so British way, quietly, unobtrusively, very professionally, very well.
HMS Scylla: a Very Happy Christmas to all on board and to those on your fellow ships. [end p2]
And then, this year we also have minesweepers there and when we sent minesweepers to do their very important job I was reminded by someone that we had sent minesweepers all over the world before, of a poem of Kipling's about minesweepers from the 1914 - 18 War. Just let me read you just a little:
“Awkward water to sweep, mines reported in the fairway, Warn all traffic and detain; Send up Unity, Clarabel, Assyrian, Stormcock and Gold Gain…” Then it goes on afterwards: “... ...when the task was finished and the minesweepers came home.”
The names are different, but the task is still the same. It is still done as well and I want to say from here, right in No. 10, how grateful we are to you for the job you do and for the wonderful way in which you carry it our.
We know you are separated from your families this Christmas, all of you on the Armilla Patrol. We are grateful for them too, grateful for the support they give you.
You will have your real reunion later in the year when you return and others take over your duties. Our gratitude to you now and a Very Happy Christmas and a Very Good New Year to you all.