It was a sad privilege to speak today on behalf of constituents in Newcastle-under-Lyme to offer my condolences, and theirs, to His Majesty and to the whole Royal Family, and to give thanks for the life and service of Her Majesty.
Her Majesty was the greatest public servant that this nation has ever seen. Through 70 years she has led this nation through profound challenges and seen profound change, not just in this nation but throughout the world and across the Commonwealth.
She has always carried out her duties with the lifelong devotion she pledged us in Cape Town on her 21st birthday. Never has a promise been so completely and gloriously redeemed.
Her son, His Majesty King Charles III, gave a fine and moving speech to the nation yesterday, which I watched with my colleagues in the Commons Chamber.
It confirmed to me what I already knew: that the Crown is in very safe hands and that we can look forward in confidence as he leads us through another trying time for our nation, and into a new Carolean era.
God Save The King!