Motion of Condolence

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 23 March 2016.

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Photo of Ruth Davidson Ruth Davidson Conservative

I support today’s motion and, in so doing, I extend my condolences and those of my party to the people of Brussels in the wake of yesterday’s tragic attacks.

As with Paris four months ago, the Parliament stands united with the families of those who have been lost to another senseless act of murder, and with a city in mourning.

As with Paris, this will feel personal to many of us. Yesterday, I watched the TV bulletins as my colleague and friend lan Duncan spoke from his office in the city. As always happens in such cases, there is a sense of unreality in seeing a familiar face in a familiar place now having faced up to this modern form of barbarism. For all our friends who work and live in Brussels, the coming days will be difficult and unsettling. I hope that they know that they are in our thoughts.

I also want to pay tribute today to our own police and security forces who once again face a period of heightened alert. It is only when incidents such as yesterday’s happen that we remember their constant watch over us. I thank them for everything that they do.

The debate will now turn to our reaction. I hope that it is calm, steadfast and resolute. I hope that we remain united and that we remember that these people do not act in the name of religion. They are members of a millenarian cult that is already losing support.

As we mourn for the people of Brussels, I hope that we also keep Paris in mind. Yesterday, four months on from that terrible attack on the Bataclan theatre, the city was going about its business. The cafes were back in business, and people were back at work. The killers there wanted to halt our way of life and to bring a stop to our civilisation. The wounds in Paris will take years to heal for those who lost loved ones, but the killers’ attempts failed. They did not win. Paris won. Brussels will win too. The killers are doomed to fail.

Let us extend our condolences to Brussels today, but let us also have confidence in our values, and redouble our determination never to be cowed.