Christmas message

I love Christmas. I like the turkey and the pudding, the tinsel and the trees, the carols and the stories, the pleasure of giving and receiving. Best of all is the way many people feel they should  be kinder at Christmas, thinking more of others, reaching out to the lonely and trying to  bring argumentative families together.

Today there is a great need for the spirit of Christmas in our politics and in the social media exchanges. Things  became very heated in the recent election, with lies and nastiness the stock in trade of too much discourse. I always seek to see good in people, and to ignore the everyday petty jibes from those who disagree with me. If I push back , complain or seek a remedy  it shows just how far the  nastiness has gone.  Some of my supporters think me naĂŻve in not running negative campaigns about named critics, and in not calling out every dirty trick  or lie. I would like to suggest that going forward more of us recognise that there are many valid points of view. Often the best way to make your case is to say what is good about it, not to seek to run down those who do not yet agree.

The opportunity  at Christmas could be  to get  on with family members we do not like, or to bury the quarrel with the neighbour. It is better to have more friends and fewer enemies.  That is the true spirit of Christmas. It is often possible to find ways of working with people that do not think they like you, by showing them what we have in common rather than playing up the disagreements. I want the greater happiness and prosperity of my constituents.  I understand the minorities who do not agree with my  points of view on some subjects and I will work to represent them to government when they have legitimate worries or complaints. I would just like them to understand  I wish them well and do what I do because I think it is in the best interests of our country and community.

I want to wish you all a very happy Christmas, as I seek your help in improving the tone of our democratic disagreements. I am looking forward to the joys of a traditional Christmas whilst I also think about how we can spread a bit more Christmas cheer to those in need.

108 Comments

  1. Lifelogic
    December 17, 2019

    I agree, up to a degree, but if people are talking complete BS (as for example on C02 or on “we repaying the debt and cutting taxes” ) it is often good to point it out.

    It would be nice if people, especially the elderly, could at least afford to keep themselves warm at Christmas with cheap on demand energy so please can the government stop rigging and over taxing the energy markets please? And not have to choose between say paying the BBC tax or heating their homes.

    Deaths due from the cold in winter are far higher than ones from excessive summer heat.

    1. Andy
      December 17, 2019

      Pretty much half of my taxes go to the elderly – pensioners, social care, extra NHS care, pensioner perks. Is this not enough for them? Perhaps they could cut back on the cruises?

      1. Fedupsoutherner
        December 17, 2019

        Andy, what a lovely Christmas message from you. No change there then. Perhaps some of the youngsters could stay out of the pubs and not get so drunk over Christmas? Our A&E was not full of elderly the other evening but drunken yobs who were disrespectful to the staff and patients in the waiting room.

      2. Lifelogic
        December 17, 2019

        Well when you are older perhaps others will carry you. But you might find your taxes do not even cover your fair share schooling costs, roads, polices, defence, debt interest etc. ….about 50% of people pay less in tax than they get back directly in benefits and services such as their children’s education and in work benefits.

      3. Oggy
        December 17, 2019

        Never been on a cruise, but just received my winter fuel allowance, so many thanks Andy.

      4. Anonymous
        December 17, 2019

        No it doesn’t.

      5. Jiminyjim
        December 17, 2019

        Tidings of comfort and joy from you again, Andy. What a shame you have to be so angry

      6. Narrow Shoulders
        December 17, 2019

        Care to use this pie chart to explain how Andy? Be sure to cite that 20% of all government spending (included under Social protection) is benefit payments.

        https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/image_data/file/69281/CCS207_CCS1117395176-1_Chart_1.jpg

      7. a-tracy
        December 17, 2019

        You don’t actually know many working class pensioners do you Andy?

      8. Ian Wragg
        December 17, 2019

        Perhaps you could pack a bag and relocate to your beloved EU. Paris, oh no, violence every day. Rome, full of sardines demonstrating, Greece, well I’m sure you’d be at home there.
        Even Scandinavia as long as you stay home after dark.

        1. margaret howard
          December 18, 2019

          Ian

          How many stabbed to death in Paris in 2019? Or come to that in all of the EU capitals combined?

        2. bill brown
          December 18, 2019

          Ian Wragg

          It is Christmas get off your prejudice horse and enjoy the world around you .

          Both Rome and Paris has lees murders than London

      9. Lester Beedell
        December 17, 2019

        Andy, I think that the comments about being may have been made with…..
        No I mustn’t say it or else I will be guilty too
        May I wish everyone my best wishes for a Happy Christmas, especially to our kind Host

      10. Fred H
        December 17, 2019

        Andy – – so glad you bear no ill will to those older and less fit than yourself. Hope you avoid a trip to your Dr, A&E or a stay in hospital. Sadly thousands of older people will be doing just that. Hospital may be preferable to some, who have no relatives or kind neighbours to check on them. Perhaps you will have a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Past and change your disposition.

      11. L Jones
        December 17, 2019

        I wonder, Andy, if you ever considered how much of your own parents’ and other people’s income went on bringing you up.
        I wonder if you ever considered how much of other people’s hard-earned money went into paying taxes and national insurance that built up our own ‘free’ Health Service, before you were born, so that you could use it (before you were able to pay for private health insurance, or so you say).
        But of course you haven’t. Why would you? It doesn’t suit your very narrow-minded and bigoted narrative.

        1. bill brown
          December 18, 2019

          L Jones,

          It is Christmas, relax and get off th horse

      12. Mike Wilson
        December 18, 2019

        A deeply offensive and unseasonal diatribe. I am one of the elderly spongers you refer to. Funnily enough, this will make you laugh, but for 48 years I have paid taxes to fund the pensions and care of my elders. Now it is my turn. I must confess to going on a cruise when I retired last year. 7 nights in the fjords of Norway. Most enjoyable. I paid for it out of my taxed income. Because I have paid so much tax in my life – and been self-employed for the majority of it – I haven’t got much of a pension, to be honest. I am living on my savings – saved over the last 48 years.

        I’d like to thank you for your modest contribution to my arthritis racked retirement. I’d like to, but I can’t. You owe me, just as I owed my elders. I paid for the roads you use, the hospital you use and the school you were clearly very badly educated in.

        I’d like to finish by wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I’d like to but, again, I can’t. I’d really like to tell you to do something which is a two word expression. The second of the two words is ‘off!’

  2. eeyore
    December 17, 2019

    At the age of 100 the Queen Mum was asked what she thought most important in life. She thought for several seconds before replying, “Good manners.”

    In that spirit, and in the spirit of Sir John’s wise and kind Christmas message, let’s applaud the PM’s courtesy in thanking his new masters for giving him the job, and pledging himself to deserve it. Perhaps we’re about to see a kinder, nicer politics after all.

  3. Nig l
    December 17, 2019

    And to you, sir.

  4. agricola
    December 17, 2019

    Do unto those as you are done by or out of sheer ennui just ignore all the negativity. Yes it is the season of goodwill but do not let your guard down, the next month is a very critical time.

  5. Narrow Shoulders
    December 17, 2019

    The tone of debate would improve immeasurably if those who lose plebiscites were able to consider that there position may not be right.

    My view has prevailed in each of the last four national votes. I am not stupid and have reviewed the consequences of both sides of the arguments.

    I suspect that doubles the number of sides considered by those who disagree with me. Their hubris is stomach churning.

    1. margaret
      December 17, 2019

      ! The Eagle flies from the summit.”

  6. Newmania
    December 17, 2019

    Christmas was a conscious reinvention, by Walter Scott, (Christmas In The Olden Time ), of ancient and imagined rituals, themselves Christianized reworkings of timeless Winter festivals. American sources were important form the start ( see Longfellows Christmas Bells ) but it was the genius of Dickens and Xmas Carol that above all thrilled the public .None of this is imaginable without the new idea of the ‘child’ and his importance of the romantic age.
    Politically things could hardly be grimmer, but if Christmas shows us anything it is that imagination can bring about change

    1. Anonymous
      December 17, 2019

      Yes. We’re ALL thinking about the children. Some of us constantly, even after they’ve grown up.

    2. Everhopeful
      December 17, 2019

      Christmas as we know it, is indeed derived from many ancient customs/religions morphing and mixing over centuries.
      How happy and convenient however for industrialists/ capitalists that every remnant of these traditions involve the spending of money. The amazing commercialisation of so many religious threads from all over Europe ( and possibly more remote).
      Not to mention the fact that Christmas was in fact twelve days of feasting and worship. A long break during the darker days when little farm work could be done. The twelve days were reduced and compressed into two when it was realised that such a long break would interfere with production.
      The units could not be spared for so long
      I blame Prince Albert!

    3. Mitchel
      December 17, 2019

      Don’t forget the Germans!I think it pre-dated Prince Albert but I believe it was he who popularised the practice of the decorated tree in the UK.And now we have the ubiquitous German Chritmas Markets also.

      1. Ian Wragg
        December 17, 2019

        Which are able to sell alcohol but denied to English markets.

        1. Mike Wilson
          December 18, 2019

          Germans can hold their beer better than us. I can’t even hold one of their giant glasses. Proper blokes them Germans.

  7. Mark B
    December 17, 2019

    Often the best way to make your case is to say what is good about it . . .

    Remainers please take note !

    . . . how we can spread a bit more Christmas cheer to those in need.

    Well apparently Christmas cheer has come early to the, Morgan household this year. 😉

    The mind boggles.

    1. Newmania
      December 17, 2019

      Remainers are happy to join you in Christmas song; it just that when we dream of a white Christmas we don`t mean quite the same thing you do.

      1. Richard1
        December 17, 2019

        Please keep up this ridiculous vitriol and the Tories will thump you leftists again in 2024.

      2. Narrow Shoulders
        December 17, 2019

        The indigenous peoples of Europe are white Newmania.

        You want to be closer to them than others.

        Care to restate your post?

      3. L Jones
        December 17, 2019

        What a strange and bigoted thing to say, Newmania.
        Perhaps you were trying to be witty, and not offensive………. there. That’s me trying to be magnanimous.

        1. APL
          December 18, 2019

          L.Jones: “What a strange and bigoted thing to say, Newmania.”

          Projection. When dealing with Lefties, one thing you can be sure of, is if they accuse you of something, it’s because they think it’s normal in themselves. So it’d just be normal if everyone else is just like them.

          1. Newmania
            December 18, 2019

            I`m not a lefty and if you cannot drag yourself above,” Your talking about yourself “, I`d be quiet.
            No-one who experienced the relentless anti immigrant propaganda of 2016 will ever doubt what Brexit is really all about .

        2. Newmania
          December 18, 2019

          Witty and offensive , look I know we are all stuck on the same Island but if you imagine what you have done to our future will ever truly be forgiven; you are wrong.

          1. dixie
            December 18, 2019

            Turn about is fair play – you will have to wait for 45 years for it to be truly fair though.

      4. Mike Wilson
        December 18, 2019

        Indeed. You mean one where the dandruff on your beatnikky ford jacket is out of control.

  8. Irene
    December 17, 2019

    I agree about the need for kindness, honesty and empathy in all walks of life. Perhaps more so than ever in Parliament. Enjoy your turkey. Is it oven-ready?

    1. Lifelogic
      December 17, 2019

      To me anyone who voted for the Benn surrender act is very clearly a total traitor to the UK and will always will be, Christmas or any other time. Some are still MPs some even claim to be “Conservative” ones. I fail to understand why on earth they were allowed to stand. They have helped to ensure the Boris W/A is as dire as it is and at vast cost to the UK and UK tax payers.

      1. Lifelogic
        December 17, 2019

        Nor, even at Christmas, do I feel very kindly very disposed to Corbyn and his ilk, who promise to thieve property assets off landlords I order to try to buy or bribe the votes off tenants. Some Labour person after he lost the election that he was a very generous man. Perhaps he is, but does being “generous” with other people’s money count as generous? I think not. I will not be giving him any of my delicious damson jam this Christmas even if Boris does.

        Thank goodness the voters saw through him.

        1. margaret howard
          December 18, 2019

          Lifelogic

          “, who promise to thieve property assets off landlords”

          As opposed to the Tory ‘bedroom tax’ for the poorer section of society?

          Otherwise known as the

          ‘Tax the poor, subsidise the rich’ tax?

          1. Edward2
            December 18, 2019

            So its OK you think for the State to allow two people to live in a three or four bedroom house and pay for them to do so when a cheaper one bed house is available and there are families on a waiting list in b and b accommodation desperate for a family homes
            PS
            It wasn’t a tax.
            It was a decision by the State not to pay limitless housing benefit to those who refuse to downsize.
            In the private sector people do it all the time.

  9. Mike Stallard
    December 17, 2019

    Peace on earth to men of good will.
    Now look at the Canary and Swawkbox.

  10. ukretired123
    December 17, 2019

    And a merry Christmas to you and your family Sir John!
    Kindness wins above all and seeds itself back to those who give.
    Thank you again for your giving your time!

  11. Oliver
    December 17, 2019

    Well said Sir John.

    Boris + 80 is the best Christmas present we could have hoped for.

    Happy Christmas – and thanks for this blog – Make England Great Again – MEGA!

  12. William Long
    December 17, 2019

    A very happy Chistmas to you and many thanks for the many hours you must spend on this site.

  13. glen cullen
    December 17, 2019

    What sort of message is the PM making by promoting Nicky Morgan (remainer) to the Lords

    1. Fedupsoutherner
      December 17, 2019

      Glen, yes, I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing either. If anything the Tory party would be better off without her.

    2. Bob
      December 17, 2019

      “What sort of message is the PM making by promoting Nicky Morgan (remainer) to the Lords”

      The message is that the House of Lords has become a house of cronies. Abolition cannot come soon enough.

      With Morgan in charge of the BBC issue, will Boris appoint Theresa May as next Brexit Minister?

  14. Anonymous
    December 17, 2019

    Since I’ve got married Christmas has become a time of stress for me. I have limited time because I work most of it as a shift worker. I’m either feeling guilty or angry that one or other set of parents has not been treated fairly.

    Shift workers have around a quarter of the useful social time that most people do.

    So bare in mind that it isn’t just working over Christmas that is the bugger – it’s also the conflict and resentments having less time to devote causes.

    So HUMBUG. I actually loathe Christmas. It has caused me no end of grief and heartache.

    1. Fred H
      December 17, 2019

      and on that cheerful note…..Merry Christmas – whoever you are.

    2. Mike Wilson
      December 18, 2019

      When I got made redundant in 1990 the future looked bleak. Luckily my wife was able to increase her part time hours. We tightened our belts and I took over childcare and the cooking and cleaning. In the evenings I taught myself computer programming. I regularly ‘worked’ at this until the early hours of the morning. Then up at 6 with the kids. I kept that up for a few years and gradually got some work. It wasn’t easy because I was not qualified and had no track record. But sheer bloody mindedness and desperation got me there. I spent the last 25+ years running my own software development business and earned decent money. I worked from home and was heavily involved in family life.

      Why don’t you train for a better job?

  15. Gareth Warren
    December 17, 2019

    I too love the chance for families to get together at Christmas, the exchange of presents has become less important due to prosperity.

    This year has seen excessive bile from both socialists and remainers, I note that people who tell others they are “kinder, gentler” are neither.

    However your success at the ballot box has quietened both down, I suspect at the first sign of difficulties they will get noisy again.

    For brexiteers there is so much positive to say about the idea of less regulation and free trade deals, I have never heard one good argument for less trade with Australia. We should keep mentioning the benefits since they are the best tonic to the negativity from remainers.

    And to our kind host and all I wish a very merry Christmas!

  16. robert lewy
    December 17, 2019

    You state

    “I would like to suggest that going forward more of us recognise that there are many valid points of view”

    Surely, this begs the question as to what is in actuality a valid point of view.

    Some views can be simply shown to be wrong by the proffering of evidence or logical analysis.

    In other cases, the views put forward range from bad manners to outright prejudice.

    Other than the application of the law there is no reasoning with such people. Their ranting
    growing louder by being re-inforced by others and the technical assistance of social media .

    Corbyn’s flirtation with Hamas and Hezbollah and his lack of discomfort concerning anti semitism cannot be defeated by rational argument. It has to be confronted, silenced and destroyed.

    Even “Being nice ” has its limits

    Not being devil’s advocate I still wish you a very very happy Christmas and thank you for your efforts over the last year year to keep us all sane.

    1. Anonymous
      December 17, 2019

      The Tories have been playing this card for the past ten years. As soon as they get in…

      “Thanks for voting for us but we have those who did not vote for us to think about too. So bang go the manifesto promises.” This time there’s the perfect excuse to scrub the spiel on the side of the tin.

      We never got this even handedness from Labour.

  17. glen cullen
    December 17, 2019

    Great message but watch out and get ready for all the questions on the 1st February

    Why are we still in transition
whats it for; business have been ready for 3yrs
    Why can’t we implement trade deals
    Why have we still got MEPs
    Why so many illegal/legal immigrants/free of movement continues
    Why are we still paying the EU and collecting VAT for them
    Why haven’t we got control of our own waters etc etc

    The media and people are going to be asking/demanding why nothing has changed if we have left on the 31st January ?

    1. Mark B
      December 17, 2019

      The media will not be asking any awkward questions. They’re on message ! 😉

  18. Cliff. Wokingham
    December 17, 2019

    Thank you Sir John. May you and yours have a wonderful Christmas too. May you have everything you need and most of what you want.

    The world would be better if we all lived by the golden rule….
    As you wish men to do to you, do so into them.

    1. Cliff. Wokingham
      December 17, 2019

      Bloody predictive text….unto

      1. Anonymous
        December 17, 2019

        Couldn’t have been any more embarrassing, could it !

      2. Mike Wilson
        December 18, 2019

        Brilliant! The ultimate Freudian slip đŸ‘ƒđŸŒ

  19. BillM
    December 17, 2019

    Christmas is booming while Christianity itself is flagging. How many Churches have closed down over the past decade?
    I feel that the singer is not making the most of his song and is not singing from the same hymn-sheet as the many. The Church should stay out of politics and the Government should stay out of religious practices and ceremonies. Sadly over the past decades, this has not been the case.
    At least the spirit of Christmas is still very much in evidence here. Let’s all be merry.

    1. Anonymous
      December 17, 2019

      Well the Church has abandoned judgment. In deciding that The Devil did not exist it lost its unique selling point and therefore its customers.

      Few actually wanted to go to church on their rare day off – they were scared onto uncomfortable pews in draughty buildings by the stories of the eternal damnation awaiting them if they didn’t go.

      Christianity was once an earthly reward for being a Christian. Now it’s a glutton fest and an advertising campaign which extends from Remembrance Day to the Boxing Day sales. The towns full of Santas puking down their outfits on Christmas eve.

      The actual event itself becomes a series of traffic jams and a test of loyalties in which in-laws notice how much or how little attention they get.

      The writers of Eastenders exaggerate a bit (quite a bit in fact) but capture the true spirit of Christmas.

      Bah humbug !

      We really could do without it.

      1. Anonymous
        December 17, 2019

        *Correction* CHRISTMAS was once an earthly reward for being a Christian.

  20. DaveM
    December 17, 2019

    Hmm. So….having been absolutely smashed in the GE because of Corbyn and Brexit, the Labour Party now appears poised to select a female version of Corbyn who is actually openly anti-Brexit. Merry Christmas Boris, love from the Labour Party!!!

    1. Oggy
      December 17, 2019

      Indeed, talk about denial, I see Thornberry saying Labour got a drubbing in the GE because they weren’t ‘openly’ a party of Remain, – so Ms Thornberry why did the majority vote Tory and not Libdim then ? Poor deluded fools.

      Merry Christmas Sir John.

  21. Beecee
    December 17, 2019

    Well said

    I hope you have an enjoyable and well deserved rest with your family and friends

    Happy Christmas and an excellent 2020 to you

  22. Peter
    December 17, 2019

    ‘I love Christmas. I like the turkey and the pudding, the tinsel and the trees, the carols and the stories, the pleasure of giving and receiving. Best of all is the way many people feel they should be kinder at Christmas, thinking more of others, reaching out to the lonely and trying to bring argumentative families together.’

    Indeed. It is an important time in the Christian calendar. Not as important as Easter though.

    I also love Christmas – not ‘holidays’, ‘festivities’ or ‘the season’ as I often see in commercial messages and advertising.

  23. Andy
    December 17, 2019

    After more than 3 years of full scale abuse on half the country including experts, businesses, judges, numerous MPs and concerned voters – all of whom are repeatedly slandered as traitors, collaborators and so on – I think the call by several hard Brexiteers for more kindness is more than 3 years too late.

    I suspect what has actually happened is that you have all faced a barrage yourself of the doorstep from appalled Remainers and you know your jobs are going in 5 years. Many of you only won this time because of Corbyn.

    1. Nig l
      December 17, 2019

      Bah bloody humbug!

    2. Richard1
      December 17, 2019

      Let’s remind ourselves of your two predictions over the last 3 years: 1) the EU would not remove the Irish backstop from the WA and 2) the Tories would be wiped out at the election.

      Could you make a prediction for us for 2020?

      Happy Christmas

    3. Anonymous
      December 17, 2019

      Are you serious, Andy ?

      All the abuse has been on mainstream TV stations. Especially BBC. It is part of the routine language of broadcasters and celebrities.

      What else do you think motivated people to get out and vote Boris in landslide numbers ?

      This was another rebellion against the whole sneering Remainer elite.

      Labour voters could have voted Swinson instead of Johnson but didn’t.

      They could have abstained instead of voting Johnson but didn’t.

      Labour voters (unprecedentedly) turned away from their traditional party and voted for the one politician who said “Get Brexit done.” in doing so they must have had G clamps pinching their noses but that’s how much they want this.

      You simply don’t go about telling an enfranchised population that they’re stupid and that you know what’s best for them, not even if they are and not even if you do.

      Remainer insults caused the referendum. Remainer insults caused Brexit and Remainer insults caused Boris.

      What don’t you get about this ?

  24. MBJ
    December 17, 2019

    I totally agree. During my own difficulties and stressors over the years , I have learnt to action what I have always preached to my family .Public , professional life helps as when we are in public arena , objectivity is called for , good manners and treating each individual with respect. What is nonsense to some may be a perfectly legitimate stand to others and by gentle and analytical reason some things can be resolved, but not all.
    Once we climb on the slippery slope of aggression , verbal abuse and blindly holding an argument without a re think ,then trouble and eventually wars occur,
    I enjoy Christmas , I enjoy all the people with good wishes I meet . I do not wear rose coloured spectacles ,but the message initiated from the east is a good one . We saw disaster in Tehran on the box yesterday and I am saddened that so called realists kill families and children to prove their point. I agree with free speech , but not free abuse.

  25. Christine
    December 17, 2019

    If only more politicians had your values. Continue to fight for what you believe in. Have a lovely Christmas with your family. Thank you for giving us this forum to air our views. Good honest debate without resorting to being nasty is so refreshing.

  26. Kenneth
    December 17, 2019

    One thing I am certain of is that most politicians – and most people – want to do the best for others.

    We all have different ways of getting there.

    For example, I think that too much state intervention in our private lives (e.g. social services) is removing the incentive for family members and neighbours to look after each other.

    I think this is an example where less government will make us happier as we will have kinder communities.

    However, there are some who will question the motives of such an idea which I think is disingenuous.

  27. Pete S
    December 17, 2019

    Giving the EU a whole lot of stuffing; a very good Christmas.

  28. formula57
    December 17, 2019

    A very happy Christmas to you Sir John and thank you once again for this diary and the opportunity to make comment. Thank you also for your tremendous contribution to public life.

  29. Alan Jutson
    December 17, 2019

    Would agree JR, yours was the only really positive campaign message locally.

    Again locally this was the most negative and personal general election campaign held so far.
    Its a poor salesman who has to constantly knock his competitors products, because they have nothing positive to say about their own.

    Afraid the Doctors came up with the wrong Diagnosis, and so the constituents refused the recommended course of treatment.

  30. Peter
    December 17, 2019

    “Things became very heated in the recent election, with lies and nastiness the stock in trade of too much discourse.”

    I agree entirely, and I think that the people of this country deserve an apology, and those responsible should be held to account to ensure that it doesn’t become the new normal. I don’t think that we should be using the excuse “because it’s Christmas” to sweep it under the carpet.

    1. Lifelogic
      December 17, 2019

      To me anyone who voted for the Benn surrender act is clearly a total traitor to the UK and will always will be, Christmas or not. Some are still MPs some even claim to be “Conservative” ones. I fail to understand why on earth they were allowed to stand. They have helped to ensure the Boris W/A is as dire as it is at vast cost to the UK.

    2. Peter
      December 17, 2019

      Not posted by me.

      A different Peter.

      1. Bob
        December 17, 2019

        An impostor?

  31. Andrew Duff
    December 17, 2019

    Happy Christmas Sir John. Have you seen the awesome Christmas animated cartoon by Times cartoonist Morten Morland? It’s on Guido Fawkes as well as The Times website. And there you are, playing the French Horn no less, about 57 seconds in. Enjoy!

  32. Derek Henry
    December 17, 2019

    A clean slate a fresh start and a happy New year John.

    Get rid of the gold standard, fixed exchange rate nonsense that no longer applies to our monetary system and look at both sides of the balance sheet which are the assets and liabilities.

    Brexit especially a no deal brexit will be the best thing that has ever happened to our country. It will be a privilege to be part of it. What a start to a new year.

    Continue with the household budget works like the government accounts and taxes fund government spending clap trap and we will continue to go backwards. It is ideological nonsense that breaks every accounting law in the book. Voters are ready for the truth John and will improve the debate and bring everyone together.

    2020 is the year we stop pretending we are using the Euro and use the ÂŁ.

    Merry Christmas John and I wish you and your family all the best.

  33. Everhopeful
    December 17, 2019

    Is this the last blog beforeChristmas?
    If so…HAPPY CHRISTMAS everyone â˜ƒïžâ˜ƒïžđŸŽ„đŸŽ„
    Are we getting a Christmas story though?
    Since last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk we have been on a roller coaster ride!
    One thing about JR’s non-confrontational tactics….the Left/Remain really believed it was winning…and actually, so feared I…And it didn’t!!!

  34. Fedupsoutherner
    December 17, 2019

    Happy Christmas to you and yours John. Let’s hope we really get what we want next year. No more waiting for Brexit. Get it got!!

  35. Ian @Barkham
    December 17, 2019

    Happy Christmas Sir John.

    Agree with you entirely, and judging by the election result the greater majority of this fine Country are in agreement.

  36. Sarah Tun
    December 17, 2019

    Bury the hatchet at this time of year: Amen to that.
    And every blessing to you and your family, Mr Redwood.

  37. Yossarion
    December 17, 2019

    Why does it appear the Speakers Chair has been Damaged?, looks like someone ran a sword through it from the back

  38. John S
    December 17, 2019

    I wish you a very merry Christmas, sir. I admire your sentiments.

  39. Edward2
    December 17, 2019

    What a wonderful speech by our newly elected Prime Minister to the Speaker elect.
    Full of good grace, eloquent and positive.
    I am so pleased we have a generational change compared to the make up of the last Parliament and I look forward to the next five years of a government that will bring this fine nation together and get Brexit done.
    Congratulations to Sir John on being elected yet again.
    In my constituency an excellent Conservative candidate gained a great election victory and is someone I tip for future promotion.

  40. Tweeter_L
    December 17, 2019

    Happy Christmas to you and yours, Sir John. I’ve said before that you are a scholar and a gentleman. At the risk of embarrassing you further, I will add that you are an exemplary MP and a national asset – I only wish you were in the Cabinet. This blog has been a beacon of light for me during some depressing times in terms of national politics and I hope you will find the time and energy to continue with your excellent daily posts in 2020.

  41. DOMINIC
    December 17, 2019

    SJR

    Merry Xmas to you and your family.

  42. hefner
    December 17, 2019

    Merry Christmas to you, Sir John, and yours … without forgetting your extensive network of blog contributors.

  43. Fred H
    December 17, 2019

    Merry Christmas Sir John (and family). The best thing you can do now is suspend this blog and take a well earned rest from it all for several days. We look forward to expressing our angst or support in future days.

  44. Trav
    December 17, 2019

    Merry Christmas Sir Sensible John Redwood, a true politician and man of the people.

  45. R.T.G.
    December 17, 2019

    Thank you for all you have done to demonstrate that Democracy is well served by truthfulness, sound information and resolve.

    A very merry Christmas to you and yours, Sir John, and to all those who frequent this leafy cyber avenue!

  46. zorro
    December 17, 2019

    Merry Christmas to you and all the other blog contributors, and let us look forward to a peaceful and more united New Year as this country strives to break free and achieve its full potential.

    zorro

  47. Jasper
    December 17, 2019

    Merry Christmas everyone and best wishes for 2020 – let’s get brexit done 😂🎉

  48. Mike Wilson
    December 18, 2019

    I think the Labour Party need to read today’s message. Apparently there was a lot of anger, and not much seasonal forgiveness, at today’s meeting of Labour MPs and their trusty (crusty?) leaders. One feels one must wish them the compliments of the season.

    Lisa Nandy for PM – in due course.

  49. Ian
    December 18, 2019

    Wishing one and all the very best of Christmases and let’s look forward to a very good New Year, it has been a difficult time, but I sincerely believe we have got our Democracy back.
    we must hold on to it for all we are worth, we have been in a dark place without it for some years.
    We can not please all the people all the time, but the majority will always be happy in a Democricy

  50. Leaver
    December 18, 2019

    Happy Christmas, Sir John.

    May it be full of mince pies, turkey and general festivity.

  51. Lynn Atkinson
    December 18, 2019

    I appreciate that theWord from Nr 10 is ‘being seen to be forgiving to unite Remainers and `brexiteers’. The Remainers who accept democracy are already united – see Piers Morgan, Edwina Curry etc. The hardliners still wish Britain dead and buried. I will NEVER forgive or forget, no magnanimity in ‘victory’ – we spent decades on the edge and the stress killed many long serving Brexiteers. No amount of smiling Mrs Mays will wipe from my mind that she wanted Britain to ‘lead with world into the post-democratic age’. May she and her ilk rot!

    1. dixie
      December 19, 2019

      Agreed.

      Those in no.10 can afford to be forgiving, they have what they want.

      They haven’t delivered anything for the rest of us yet and after 44 years patience has worn thin. Like you I do not hold with magnanimity with those who don’t deserve it.

  52. Martin in Cardiff
    December 18, 2019

    Happy Christmas to one and all.

  53. Dennis Zoff
    December 19, 2019

    Merry Christmas John.
    Fingers crossed for an exciting New Year!

  54. Johnny Dubb
    December 20, 2019

    Merry Christmas Sir John to you and your family. Thanks for the blog. Best wishes.

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