NEW ZEALAND

There is a deep and abiding relationship quite naturally between the UK and New Zealand, as indeed there is with Australia, despite the popular ribaldry and playground name calling that goes on!

This year has seen New Zealand and Australia undergo terrible natural disasters and in reality the people of Great Britain stand resolutely with the Kiwis and Ozzies at this traumatic time.

Across the world it is easy to concentrate upon the political upheavals that are going on, but in times such as these, these Island Peoples will always rise to the challenge of not only supporting those who are daring to challenge the totalitarian regimes within which they have the misfortune to live, but because, as an island people, it is within our very being, our subconscious, our psyche to do so. Anyone born within the British Isles will always look to the sea, knowing that our shoreline has guaranteed our freedom for well nigh a thousand years and enabled us to be the springboard when the New World joined with the Old World to restore peace, good order and self-discipline among the peoples of Europe. That noble objective has taken a very long time to achieve, but we are slowly obtaining this, with a long way still to go.

To the Peoples of New Zealand and to Australia (with whom there is an incredible bond of natural affection), we stand with you in these traumatic times, and we thank you also for demonstrating the resilience and fortitude you have and are doing so that must surely be an inspiration to people everywhere.

Her Majesty The Queen has spoken for all of us this morning and much is now already in place to help the citizens of Christchurch. As a minister of the collapsed Christchurch Cathedral remarked this morning, these are just buildings, they can always be replaced. But it's the people under them that we cannot replace. We pray that He will enable as many as possible to be saved.

The Olympics 2012 London

It is a marvellous spectacle to see the developers hand over the keys of the new cycling Velodrome this morning. What an achievement. From a big hole in the ground has now risen this beautiful arena that is already regarded by athletes as the best of its kind in the world.

It is good to report on these things when there is so much distress and people are finding the Recession hit home with the force of a sledgehammer (and on this I speak personally). We have to stand firm, we have to remember that out of the ruins we are always able to rebuild.

Let us do all we can to inspire young people to make the most of this wonderful opportunity to excel. All around the world thousands are working towards this, now very much aware that the countdown is 521 days remaining and counting!

Ian Bradley Marshall
LIVERPOOL
22 February 2011