Political and Military Chiefs Wish Personnel A Merry Christmas

In a special message for Forces News Jeremy Corbyn has thanked troops for another year of keeping the country safe:

"Please remember people here at home in the UK will not forget you at Christmas.

"Thank you for support you give to others around the world, through peace keeping, providing aid and assistance to those who most need it.

"I hope you have a Merry Chrsitmas and a Happy New Year."

The Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, also had a message for the British military:

"This Christmas, like every single day of the year, we have armed service personnel who are protecting not just Britain but nations right across the globe.

"I wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you.

"Thank you for not just what you are doing today, keeping us safe over this festive period, but everything you have been doing over the last year."

He finished saying: "May I take this opportunity to wish you and your families the very happiest of Christmas".

Also speaking to Forces News Shadow Defence Secretary, Nia Griffith, wished serving personnel a merry Christmas and thanked them for another year of hard work:

"A very very merry Christmas, wherever you are serving, and your families whether you are overseas or whether you are in the UK.

"I would like to say a very very big thank you not just from myself but from people up and down the country for all the work you do through the year to keep us safe."

Military chiefs have also wished members of the British Armed Forces a very Merry Christmas.

Speaking to Forces News, Admiral Sir Philip Jones said: 

“Whether you’re at home or deployed, I would like to thank you all for everything you have done to make 2018 such a huge success.

"And I wish all of you, your loved ones and families, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Chief of the Air Staff Sir Stephen Hillier said his thoughts were with those who would be working away from their families over the festive period:

“We are definitely thinking of our people who continue to deliver on operations.

"It’s a message of thank you for the commitment and their professionalism and skill that they continue to demonstrate on a day to day basis.

“It’s a message of saying good luck and they will be back with their families in due course.”

General Mark Carleton-Smith, Chief of General Staff, spoke about the deserved break he hopes his soldiers get this Christmas:

"I would want all the soldiers who get home for Christmas this year to enjoy and undisturbed break and an opportunity to relax and unwind with their family, relatives and close friends.

"I also spare a thought for those several thousand who are not going to get home this Christmas and whose families are going to miss them".

Similarly, General Sir Nicholas Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, focused his message on those who would not be able to be with their loved ones:

“It’s our duty for all of us who will have the pleasure of spending our time with our families, to spare a thought for them and to be thinking of the separation that, of course, they will be struggling to come to terms with," he said. 

"This is something we do periodically and people expect it to happen but nonetheless it’s something we should never forget. And of course, Christmas is a time for families and for children and for all that goes with that.

"So it’s special that we think of those who aren’t going to be in a position to be able to enjoy their families.”