The Eynsworth House "If" Speech

James Brokenshire, leader of the Coalition of Conservative Unionists, gave an address at Eynsworth House to a large number of CCU members/supporters alongside members of the press.
"If such things are true;
If such things are honest;
if such things are just;
if such things are pure;
if such things are lovely;
if such things bring good report: then there will be virtue and there must be praise upon which we think.
If you see the tide;
if you can feel the blowing wind;
if you can hear the word;
if you can swim with the sinking;
if you can find comfort;
if you can not shame your kind;
if you can hold your head up all the more;
if you can be the son;
if you can give: you shall not be afraid, you shall not. You shall be the son which gave to the tide and you shall be the mercy which resisted the wind.
If we have strength;
if we have courage;
if we have unity: we can save ourselves from the wretched and damned.
If, as suggested, we lay arms - we simply say 'we are not good enough' - then we have no virtue to which we praise.
If, like some would want, we do not call all able men to arms then we will be so reduced to the point of irrecoverable loss and damage. 
Those arguing against this government were not present during our Nation's darkest hour, nor did we choose to be where we find ourselves again at this very moment. Our hand has been forced and altered: facing down a new coming storm. We are here because it is necessary. To fight, to defend, to do the just thing and to be righteous in order to keep our land free. The battle has come to us and no man of conscious can turn a blind eye. A dark cloud threatens to loom over this land. We must fight to ensure the generations who preceded us will not have to wake up to find blood and guts on their doorsteps - in the land soaked with the blood of their ancestors. 
Us, the collective individual, must take up this struggle or risk being condemned to history as a traitor to our nation. We step on the soil which our grandfathers were told they had to die to protect - we cannot now say that we won't repay the due. 
I assure you all. Our children will talk about how their parents stopped it all. Their parents said 'we are free, we believe in liberty' and went out to inspire people to action!
If you, like me, believe our ancestors should not be drowned out in their own blood, you have to take the call. Take arms. Take the fight in your own hands".
Category:The Imperial Constitution