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News story CHRISTMAS 2016: PRIME MINISTER'S MESSAGE * English * اردو Theresa May sends her best wishes to everyone celebrating Christmas in the UK and around the world. This was
published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government Prime Minister Theresa May said: > This year, the United Kingdom has had much to celebrate. Her Majesty > The Queen
celebrated her 90th birthday, surrounded by the Royal > Family and well-wishers from across our four nations, the > Commonwealth, and the world. > > Four years after the success
of London 2012, our Olympic and > Paralympic athletes continued to work and train – and they were > rewarded by coming second in the medal table, becoming the first > team ever to
increase its medal haul four years after hosting the > Games. Many of us will have more personal memories too, of happy > times with family and friends. These are precious moments when
> people from many backgrounds, with different beliefs, come together > to celebrate in families and communities. > > Coming together is also important for us as a country. As
we leave > the European Union we must seize an historic opportunity to forge a > bold new role for ourselves in the world and to unite our country as > we move forward into the
future. And, with our international > partners, we must work together to promote trade, increase > prosperity and face the challenges to peace and security around the > world. >
> As we gather with our friends and families at this time of year we > proudly celebrate the birth of Christ and the message of > forgiveness, love and hope that he brings. We
also think of > Christians in other parts of the world who face persecution this > Christmas and re-affirm our determination to stand up for the > freedom of people of all religions
to practise their beliefs in > peace and safety. > > Having grown up in a vicarage, I know how demanding it can be for > those who have to work over the Christmas period. So
it’s right > for all of us to express our gratitude to those who will have to > spend Christmas away from the people they love in looking after > others: those in our health and
care services, those who work with > the vulnerable, as well as those who will be caring for a loved one. > > And we thank those in our Armed Forces, security agencies, and >
emergency services who work all year round to keep our country safe > – especially those who will be separated by their duty from their > families and friends. > > Wherever you
are this Christmas, I wish you joy and peace in this > season of celebration, along with health and happiness in the year > ahead. SHARE THIS PAGE The following links open in a new tab
* Share on Facebook (opens in new tab) * Share on Twitter (opens in new tab) UPDATES TO THIS PAGE Published 25 December 2016