Lord PlumbHenry, Lady PlumbMarjorie,
This is a very small and friendly lunch and I will not ruin it with a long speech.
I could talk about the rich harvest of your life.
How you have remained faithful to your roots. [end p1]
About the crop of initiatives taken during your time as President.
But I expect you have had enough of agricultural metaphors.
You have been privileged to be the first British President of the European Parliament and you have done it with great distinction, as we knew you would. [end p2]
It has been a great source of pride to us to have you in that position.
You have brought some good British traditions to the operation of the European Parliament—and some of us would say they were badly needed.
You have helped created a much better [end p3] understanding in Britain of the European Parliament and its role.
More than that, you have provided great reassurance to people in this country about Europe.
If someone so quintessentially British thinks as himself as European, they say, then Europe must be all right. [end p4]
So I think the finest tribute to you is that you have both enhanced Britain's reputation in Europe and Europe's reputation in Britain—and for that we all thank you very much.
Of course you have not restricted yourself just to European activities.
I remember that you chaired a very successful World Food Conference. [end p5]
I am not quite sure what you intend to do next—I am getting a bit nervous about people who return from Europe to speak in the House of Lords!
But whatever it is, I know that it will combine your two great passions, for farming and for the European community, and that you will do it superbly well and in the nicest possibly way. [end p6]
So may I once again thank you for everything you have done on behalf of all those present and wish you and Marjorie every happiness.