The Prime Minister
(Mr. Tony Blair): I beg to move,
That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty to offer the cordial
congratulations of this House on the occasion of Her Majesty's eightieth
birthday, and to express its appreciation of Her Majesty's unfailing devotion to
the duties of State, the Nation and the Commonwealth, and our warmest good
wishes for her long continuing health and happiness.
That the said Address be presented to Her Majesty by such Members of the
House as are of Her Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council or of Her Majesty's
Household.
This week we celebrate the 80th birthday of one of the most respected people
of our times, whose sense of duty and service has had a profound impact on our
country, the Commonwealth and the world.
Years before the premature death of her father and her unexpected succession
to the throne, the then Princess Elizabeth publicly dedicated her life to the
service of her nation, but declared that she would need the support of the
country to ensure that she could fulfil that promise. She has, as we know,
carried out this pledge through all the changes, both in her life and in this
country, with extraordinary grace and dedication, and her people, here and
across the Commonwealth, who share in the celebration of her 80th birthday this
year, have responded, as she hoped that they would, with their affection and
support.
In a world that has been transformed in her lifetime, she has been a truly
remarkable source of constancy and of strength. Our country has faced tremendous
trials, witnessed the horrors of the World War II and celebrated some
extraordinary triumphs in her 80 years. Throughout, as part of the royal family
and as the Queen, she has been a reassuring and unifying presence for her
people.
She has also responded to a world that has become more interdependent than
ever by travelling extensively. In all, the Queen has undertaken over 256
official overseas visits to 129 different countries. Her Majesty shows no sign
of slowing down. She has just undertaken her 14th tour of Australia, including
the official opening of the Commonwealth games in Melbourne. She attends
hundreds of public engagements every year and is an active patron of over 620
charities and organisations. There is simply no aspect of our national
life which she does not have an interest in and a deep understanding of.
Her Prime Ministers have better reason than most to know and appreciate her
knowledge and experience. I am the tenth Prime Minister to serve her. Like each
of my predecessors, I am profoundly grateful for her wise counsel. She has
superb judgment, an intuitive empathy with people and, above all, an unshakeable
and profound sense of duty. It is this sense of duty that motivates her and
defines her reign and, since it communicates itself unobtrusively but none the
less obviously to her subjects, brings her, I believe,the love of the people of
this country.
It is difficult in this day and age for the monarchy to balance the natural
demands for accessibility and openness with the dignity and majesty of the
monarch, but it is a balance that she has struck with immense skill.
So I know that I speak for the whole House and, indeed, a grateful nation
when I convey to Her Majesty the Queen our best wishes on her 80th birthday and
say, "Long may she reign over us."