Even David Cameron’s Christmas message can’t help talking about ‘security’

Christmas was the day First World War soldiers laid down their arms¹ .. . but in politics it seems the battle never stops.

David Cameron has said the word “security” three times in his 300-word festive message after using it for months against Jeremy Corbyn² .

The tone’s a little different to the Labour leader’s Christmas missive – which opted for “solidarity” instead³ .

The PM was mocked when in September⁴ when Tory ministers started shoehorning the s-word into every sentence they could.

Employment minister Priti Patel said “security” 11 times in a four-minute interview, and the PM blasted Mr Corbyn’s “security-threatening, terrorist-sympathising, Britain-hating ideology” at the Tory conference.

Jeremy Corbyn’s message was pretty political too

It being the spirit of Christmas, Mr Cameron stops short of an attack on his Labour rival today.

But he does come back to his favourite topic repeatedly, reinforcing his image as a strong leader.

“If there is one thing people want at Christmas, it s the security of having their family around them and a home that is safe,” he says – adding that’s sadly not true for everyone.

He then praises soldiers taking on the terrorists who threaten “our security at home”, praising them for facing danger in the Middle East.

Lastly he throws in one for luck: “As we come together with our loved ones, in safety and security, let s think of those who cannot do the same.”

Video loading⁵ Watch this video again

Watch Next

Click to play

Jeremy Corbyn’s Christmas message⁶ was also political – praising hospital staff, firefighters and police and saying it reflects true socialism.

He wrote in the Sunday Mirror: “The Christmas story holds up a mirror to us all.

“Do unto others as you would have done to you that is the essence of my socialism, summed up in the word solidarity.”

But that wasn’t enough for Tories – who accused him of “cancelling Christmas” because he broke with the tradition on giving a message on Christmas Eve.

Can’t they all just get along?

David Cameron’s Christmas message in full

If there is one thing people want at Christmas, it s the security of having their family around them and a home that is safe.

But not everyone has that . Millions of families are spending this winter in refugee camps or makeshift shelters across Syria and the Middle East, driven from their homes by Daesh⁷ and Assad.

Christians from Africa to Asia will go to church on Christmas morning full of joy, but many in fear of persecution .

Throughout the United Kingdom, some will spend the festive period ill, homeless or alone.

We must pay tribute to the thousands of doctors, nurses, carers and volunteers who give up their Christmas to help the vulnerable and to those who are spending this season even further from home.

Right now, our brave armed forces are doing their duty, around the world: in the skies of Iraq and Syria, targeting the terrorists that threaten those countries and our security at home; on the seas of the Mediterranean, saving those who attempt the perilous crossing to Europe; and on the ground, helping to bring stability to countries from Afghanistan to South Sudan.

It is because they face danger that we have peace .

And that is what we mark today as we celebrate the birth of God s only son, Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace.

As a Christian country, we must remember what his birth represents: peace, mercy, goodwill and, above all, hope.

I believe that we should also reflect on the fact that it is because of these important religious roots and Christian values that Britain has been such a successful home to people of all faiths and none.

So, as we come together with our loved ones, in safety and security, let s think of those who cannot do the same.

Let s give thanks to those who are helping the vulnerable at home and protecting our freedoms abroad.

And let me wish everyone in Britain and around the world a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

Poll loading

References

1. ^{^} First World War soldiers laid down their arms (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Jeremy Corbyn (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^{^} which opted for “solidarity” instead (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^{^} was mocked when in September (www.mirror.co.uk)
5. ^{^} Here’s why David Cameron called Jeremy Corbyn a threat to national security (www.mirror.co.uk)
6. ^{^} Jeremy Corbyn’s Christmas message (www.mirror.co.uk)
7. ^{^} Daesh (www.mirror.co.uk)

The post Even David Cameron’s Christmas message can’t help talking about ‘security’ appeared first on News4Security.