Posted on 07/12/2018 9:41:09 AM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
If you believe some of the things said and written about my views on Europe, it must seem rather like inviting Genghis Khan to speak on the virtues of peaceful coexistence!
I want to start by disposing of some myths about my country, Britain, and its relationship with Europe and to do that, I must say something about the identity of Europe itself.
Europe is not the creation of the Treaty of Rome.
Nor is the European idea the property of any group or institution.
We British are as much heirs to the legacy of European culture as any other nation. Our links to the rest of Europe, the continent of Europe, have been the dominant factor in our history.
Visit the great churches and cathedrals of Britain, read our literature and listen to our language: all bear witness to the cultural riches which we have drawn from Europe and other Europeans from us.
And on that idea of Christendom, to which the Rector referred—Christendom for long synonymous with Europe—with its recognition of the unique and spiritual nature of the individual, on that idea, we still base our belief in personal liberty and other human rights.
We must never forget that east of the Iron Curtain, people who once enjoyed a full share of European culture, freedom and identity have been cut off from their roots.
Nor should we forget that European values have helped to make the United States of America into the valiant defender of freedom which she has become.
Too often, the history of Europe is described as a series of interminable wars and quarrels.
This evening I want to set out some guiding principles for the future which I believe will ensure that Europe does succeed...
(Excerpt) Read more at margaretthatcher.org ...
For video:
Margaret Thatcher - Speech to the College of Europe (”The Bruges Speech”) September 21, 1988
Ping. (Regarding post you made about Trump needing to give a speech in England.) - This one from Margaret Thatcher came to mind today...
Wow that is a great lecture. I watched the whole thing and I agree with every word. I did have to look up ECU. I did not remember that one.
Very much worth watching. The amazing thing is that she gave that speech in 1988.
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