Britain defeated slavery and fascism, invented almost everything worth
inventing and every major sport on earth, the Prime Minister declared.
His outbreak of patriotism followed reports that a senior Russian official at
the G20 summit in St Petersburg had belittled Britain's importance in the
world after the decision not to intervene in Syria
The Russia government has denied that the controversial comment - reported by
the BBC - was made. Nonetheless, British officials have felt obliged to
defend the country’s importance.
Mr Cameron joined the defence at a briefing for journalists in St Petersburg,
offering a lengthy paean of praise to Britain’s historical achievements and
contemporary contributions.
“What I've been told is that the Russians absolutely deny making this remark.
Certainly no one's made it to me,” he said.
"But let me be clear - Britain may be a small island, but I would challenge anyone to find a country with a prouder history, a bigger heart or greater resilience.”
Pausing for breath, he went on: "Britain is an island that has helped to clear the European continent of fascism and was resolute in doing that throughout the Second World War.
"Britain is an island that helped to abolish slavery, that has invented most of the things worth while inventing, including every sport currently played around the world, that still today is responsible for art, literature and music that delights the entire world.
"We are very proud of everything we do as a small island - a small island that has the sixth-largest economy, the fourth best-funded military, some of the most effective diplomats, the proudest history, one of the best records for art and literature and contribution to philosophy and world civilisation.
Joking about his sudden burst of passion, Mr Cameron added: “I’m thinking of setting this to music.”
He also added a hasty caveat to his hymn of praise: "For the people who live in Northern Ireland, I should say we are not just an island we are a collection of islands. I don't want anyone in Shetland or Orkney to feel left out by this."
One Conservative MP used less diplomatic language in response to Russia's alleged criticism.
"Putin really is a tosser," wrote Henry Smith, MP for Crawley, on Twitter.
He later added: "On Twitter in a slight fit of pique I might refer to him as a tosser. But in other forums, such as the House of Commons, I would accuse him of being an absurd character.
There is his abuse of human rights against the gay community in his own country, there is the abuse of human rights in Syria where the way he is helping and prolonging that civil war there is appalling."
He added: "I may not use that colloquial language in other forums, but frankly it is still how I feel."
Love, factually
Mr Cameron’s address may draw comparisons among movie-goers to a scene from Ben Elton’s film Love Actually (writes Matthew Holehouse).
The Prime Minister, played by Hugh Grant, tells a joint press conference with the bullying US President that he fears the special relationship has turned sour.
“We may be a small country, but we are a great one too,” he says. “A country of Shakespeare, Churchill, the Beatles, Harry Potter. David Beckham’s right foot. David Beckham’s left foot, come to that.”
The film was released in 2003, amid some public concern at Britain’s willingness to support US foreign policy in the Middle East.
Downing Street has released a photograph of the Prime Minister travelling to Russia with some of his closest advisors. They are (left to right) George Osborne, the Chancellor; Craig Oliver, his Director of Communications; Foreign Affairs advisor John Casson; No 10 Chief Press Officer Helen Bower; and Ed Llewellyn, the Chief of Staff. The image was posted on Flickr.
Read More : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/10290835/David-Camerons-Love-Actually-moment-as-he-defends-Britain-against-small-island-jibe.html
"But let me be clear - Britain may be a small island, but I would challenge anyone to find a country with a prouder history, a bigger heart or greater resilience.”
Pausing for breath, he went on: "Britain is an island that has helped to clear the European continent of fascism and was resolute in doing that throughout the Second World War.
"Britain is an island that helped to abolish slavery, that has invented most of the things worth while inventing, including every sport currently played around the world, that still today is responsible for art, literature and music that delights the entire world.
"We are very proud of everything we do as a small island - a small island that has the sixth-largest economy, the fourth best-funded military, some of the most effective diplomats, the proudest history, one of the best records for art and literature and contribution to philosophy and world civilisation.
Joking about his sudden burst of passion, Mr Cameron added: “I’m thinking of setting this to music.”
He also added a hasty caveat to his hymn of praise: "For the people who live in Northern Ireland, I should say we are not just an island we are a collection of islands. I don't want anyone in Shetland or Orkney to feel left out by this."
One Conservative MP used less diplomatic language in response to Russia's alleged criticism.
"Putin really is a tosser," wrote Henry Smith, MP for Crawley, on Twitter.
He later added: "On Twitter in a slight fit of pique I might refer to him as a tosser. But in other forums, such as the House of Commons, I would accuse him of being an absurd character.
There is his abuse of human rights against the gay community in his own country, there is the abuse of human rights in Syria where the way he is helping and prolonging that civil war there is appalling."
He added: "I may not use that colloquial language in other forums, but frankly it is still how I feel."
Love, factually
Mr Cameron’s address may draw comparisons among movie-goers to a scene from Ben Elton’s film Love Actually (writes Matthew Holehouse).
The Prime Minister, played by Hugh Grant, tells a joint press conference with the bullying US President that he fears the special relationship has turned sour.
“We may be a small country, but we are a great one too,” he says. “A country of Shakespeare, Churchill, the Beatles, Harry Potter. David Beckham’s right foot. David Beckham’s left foot, come to that.”
The film was released in 2003, amid some public concern at Britain’s willingness to support US foreign policy in the Middle East.
Downing Street has released a photograph of the Prime Minister travelling to Russia with some of his closest advisors. They are (left to right) George Osborne, the Chancellor; Craig Oliver, his Director of Communications; Foreign Affairs advisor John Casson; No 10 Chief Press Officer Helen Bower; and Ed Llewellyn, the Chief of Staff. The image was posted on Flickr.
Read More : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/10290835/David-Camerons-Love-Actually-moment-as-he-defends-Britain-against-small-island-jibe.html
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