The Bells signal end to division in UK says Boris
BORIS Johnson has pledged to make the Union stronger and ‘turn the page’ on division in the year ahead.
In his New Year’s message, the Prime Minister said the Hogmanay Bells will act as the starting gun to a ‘fantastic year and remarkable decade for our United Kingdom’.
He pledged to help unite the country and move on from the ‘division, rancour and uncertainty’ which has dominated recent years.
Mr Johnson also said the new year can mark a ‘new chapter’ in the history of the country, where we can ‘come together and move forward united’.
He said his top aims in the year ahead will be delivering on the ‘people’s priorities’ and making the Union stronger.
His message comes after Nicola Sturgeon said in her turn of year address that she will look to ‘ensure’ there is another independence referendum in the next 12 months.
Mr Johnson said: ‘That distinctive sound you may have heard at midnight as the bongs of Big Ben faded away was not the popping of champagne corks or the crackle of fireworks from your neighbour’s garden.
‘Rather it was the starting gun being fired on what promises to be a fantastic year and a remarkable decade for our United Kingdom.’
He added: ‘As we say goodbye to 2019 we can also turn the page on the division, rancour and uncertainty which has dominated public life and held us back for far too long. We can start a new chapter in the history of our country, in which we come together and move forward united, unleashing the enormous potential of the British people.’
Mr Johnson said he will get Brexit done by the end of the month, then ‘spend 2020 getting on with delivering on the people’s priorities’.
He said these were: ‘Boosting the NHS with the biggest cash injection in its history, renewing schools, backing scientists, building better infrastructure, controlling immigration, making our streets safer, cleaning up our environment, and making our Union stronger.’
The PM pledged to deliver on his promise to force through legislation to lock in a promised £34billion increase in NHS funding over the next four years.
He said: ‘Our vision is clear: to unite and level up across the whole United Kingdom – spreading opportunity more fairly – with better infrastructure, superb education and high technology.’
He added: ‘I know that many of you do not consider yourself natural Tories and may only have lent me your vote. I am humbled by your support and will work every day to keep it.
‘I am also acutely aware that there are millions of people who did not vote for me and were disappointed by the result.
‘If you are one of them, I want to reassure you that I will be a Prime Minister for everyone, not just those who voted for me. I know that you love this country no less, simply because you voted for another party or wanted to Remain.
‘So let’s together make the 2020s a decade of prosperity and opportunity.’
‘Division, rancour and uncertainty’