Our sacred values will always triumph

GRIEF, horror and bloodshed were visited on the cradle of democracy yesterday.

Four innocent people, including a police officer, died and at least 40 others were injured.

A city which has proudly opened its doors to the world now mourns not just its own but the tourists and visitors who were also victims of the indiscriminate slaughter.

It has become commonplace to praise our police and emergency services. Yesterday showed why we should never take their gallantry and professionalism for granted.

One of their number, in acting to protect Parliamentarians and the public, showed extraordinary bravery and, tragically, paid the ultimate price.

Nor should we overlook the heroics of Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, who tried valiantly to save the life of the fallen officer.

It is fitting that an elected Parliamentarian should have shown such courage in the face of terrorism.

The Houses of Parliament are the symbol of our shared values, our proud history and our resilience.

These landmark buildings, famous throughout the world, represent our history of democracy, freedom, unity and tolerance.

The person who brought death to Westminster despised these achievements.

His actions are the result of a warped view that wants to close down free speech, destroy political representation and cultivate bigotry and fanaticism.

Our response must be to preserve and enhance our liberty.

There will need to be a review of security measures, improved protection of Parliament and an assessment of our counter-terrorism operations.

When it comes to ensuring the security of our country, there can be no complacency about funding and resources.

Yet we must be careful not to take action that undermines or curtails our rights and freedoms.

The goal of every terrorist is to use fear to bring us down to their despicable level.

The strongest defence against terrorism is to reaffirm our democratic values.

Protecting the safety of our citizens must always be a priority but we should not do so in a way that hands victory to the terrorist by abandoning precious rights and freedoms, nurtured and secured over so many years.

Westminster has witnessed riots, German bombs and IRA atrocities. It has withstood them all.

The flag that flies over the Sovereign Tower will continue to fly.

Britain is rightly regarded as the Mother of Parliaments.

We are the model for democracies around the globe. That is why it is so important we do not flinch in the face of terror.

It is why we put the ballot box before barbarity and why when evil comes to the home of democracy, it will never be allowed to win.