We will prevail, vows Duncan Smith (IF YOU LIKE BLAIR, YOU'LL LOVE IDS)

BBC ^ | October 8, 2001 | BBC

[MadIvan]

Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith has pledged continued support for the government during the military action against terrorism and declared: "We did not pick this fight, but we will win it."

Speaking at the party's annual conference in Blackpool - his first as leader - Mr Duncan Smith insisted "the business of democracy must go on".

As at the 1984 conference in Brighton bombed by the IRA, he told party members, they must not give in to the terrorists by curtailing normal life.

Following his short opening address, received with a standing ovation, Mr Duncan Smith immediately set off for London to attend an emergency session of the House of Commons. But he promised: "I'll be back".

He is due to make his keynote speech on Wednesday morning as planned.

Speaking under screens bearing the conference slogan "Security abroad. Security at home", Mr Duncan Smith declared: "On 11 September Bin Laden and his network of terror struck at us all.

"And by continuing to harbour and sustain them, the Taleban regime have become an accessory to mass murder."

Support pledged

"Their actions have dictated our actions. I am resolved that the British Government will receive our support. "And I assure the American people that President Bush will continue to have our backing in his determination to root out terror in the world.

"This is a war like no other. It will not be resolved in a matter of days. It could take months, it may take years. But nobody should doubt the determination of the Conservative Party to see this through however long it takes."

Other key figures from the leader's shadow frontbench team and many MPs will also be heading back to Westminster, but they have been urged to return as soon as possible by Tory chiefs.

The party is anxious for the event, already shortened to three days, to proceed as normally as possible, with debate on issues away from the international situation, especially public services.

In his speech immediately following Mr Duncan Smith's, party chairman David Davis paid tribute to the men and women of the UK's armed forces now in action.

"They are fighting to defend the values of democracy and civilisation.

"They are fighting to allow us to continue what we are doing here today."

Women MPs

But he also addressed issues away from the international situation, including the way ahead for the Conservatives since their crushing general election defeat.

He stressed the need to broaden the party's appeal, but ruled out specific measures to increase the numbers of women MPs.

Mr Davis earlier told reporters that despite the likely "sombre" mood it was symbolically important for the conference to carry on.

"I think you'll see much less of the knockabout that is normal at party conferences," he said. "It will be much more focused on the raw issues and the central issue."

He stressed the Tories' "determination to carry on and make this [conference] as natural an occurrence as possible considering the circumstances".

Terrorism and the current military action will dominate Monday's agenda as "an important contribution to national unity on the matter and support of our forces", Mr Davis said.

A short debate on local government follows, with Tuesday set to be devoted to the economy and public services.

The focus is likely to switch back to the international situation again by Wednesday, when Mr Duncan Smith will deliver his keynote speech.

[MadIvan]

Meet the next Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Now imagine what it is going to be like when the next crisis pops up, and he is working in tandem with President Bush. Let our enemies tremble in sheer, unadulterated terror.

Regards, Ivan

But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, "This was their finest hour."

Today is Trinity Sunday. Centuries ago words were written to be a call and a spur to the faithful servants of Truth and Justice: "Arm yourselves, and be ye men of valour, and be in readiness for the conflict; for it is better for us to perish in battle than to look upon the outrage of our nation and our altar. As the Will of God is in Heaven, even so let it be." - Winston Churchill, 1940

This then, my lords and gentlemen, is the message which we send forth today to all states and nations, bound or free, to all the men in all the lands who care for freedom's cause. To our Allies and well-wishers in Europe, to our American friends and helpers drawing ever closer in their might across the ocean, this is the message-lift up your hearts, all will come right. Out of depths of sorrow and sacrifice will be born again the glory of mankind. - Winston Churchill, 1941


LET US GO FORWARD TOGETHER - CLICK ABOVE!

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Silly]

Another GREAT supporter is foreign secretary Jack Straw. Try to find a transcript of his recent speech in the House of Commons; it's a doozy.

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Miss Marple]

Thanks! Rumsfeld just finished his briefing.

News just heard on Fox:Get this: the UN is STOPPING humanitarian aid because of military flights. What clymers they are!! Cowards and terrorist helpers!!

[MadIvan]

Do you happen to know the date? If you do, then I can put it up for you.

Regards, Ivan

[bluetoad]

The think I love about the Brit's, is that "In Time of Need, They are a Friend Indeed".

[Churchillspirit]

Love the graphic.

Any plans to make bumper stickers?

[MadIvan]

Well we've got t-shirts, mousemats, mugs, sweatshirts, even tanktops - as soon as Cafepress allows bumper stickers, we'll do that too.

Regards, Ivan

[KC Burke]

the Churchill quote that has been in my mind recently was from his speech about the Baldwin/Chamberlain years wasted not re-arming, wherein he refered to that time period as the "years that the locusts hath ate" refering to the biblical quote. How about a full quotation on that as my book of his speeches is 130 miles away at the moment?

[Mr. Bungle]

Britain has been extraordinary thoughout this conflict. Many thanks to the people of the UK. You really know who our friends are when the fit hits the shan.

[FFIGHTER]

selfbump!

[father_elijah]

A Union Jack BUMP for England and St. George.

Not to mention a Bump for Aslan, the Lion I rely on day by day.

[headsonpikes]

Love the graphic!

"Count on the Lion" BTTT!

[Brian Allen]

Good one, Ivan. Thanks Mate! [PS: What's a "prat?"]

[alancarp]

Well, I gotta admit: if I were the UN, I wouldn't want to be dropping in supplies in areas that I thought could come under attack. There's no way that the US/British forces are briefing the battle plans to the UN, so they could be in harms' way while behaving innocently.