A short postponement for the reasons I have given is one thing. An indefinite delay is quite another. Any period of uncertainty is bad for tourism, sending out the wrong message, for Britain is open to business. I would also ask the media, in reporting this issue, not simply to focus on those areas where the disease is rife, but also to reflect accurately the fact that the vast majority of the country has no foot and mouth disease and that even in the worst affected areas, most tourist activity is possible. But any period of uncertainty is also bad for the economy as a whole.
Business needs stability in order to plan ahead.
Uncertainty is also bad for our public services which would also lose from weeks or months of uncertainty. So to put our democratic process on hold for a prolonged period would be damaging to the true national interest. This is a decision that has to be taken in the interests of the whole country, the parts that don't support the Government as well as the parts that do. It is time to unify and not divide, to work together to help the communities most affected. That is what we will do.