THERESA May has used her Christmas message to hail the “bold” new role for Britain on the world stage outside the EU.
In a message directed to bitter Remaoners she also appealed for national unity and “come together” after the bitterly fought EU referendum in 2016.
She said that it said it is important to "unite our country" as Britain seeks a "bold" new role on the world stage outside the European Union.
Her words may be seen as an attempt to address the splits between supporters and opponents of EU membership exposed by the June 23 vote, won by Leave.
Her message came as Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who led Vote Leave, has issued an upbeat Christmas message about Britain’s place in the world now it is escaping the EU.
At a time when families are coming together for the festive break, Mrs May said: "Coming together is also important for us as a country.
"As we leave the European Union we must seize an historic opportunity to forge a bold new role for ourselves in the world and to unite our country as we move forward into the future.
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"And, with our international partners, we must work together to promote trade, increase prosperity and face the challenges to peace and security around the world."
Mrs May stressed that 2016 has seen much for Britain celebrate, including the Queen's 90th birthday and successes in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In a separate video message to the armed forces, she promised to do more to help servicemen and women and their families in 2017, to show them that "this Government is on your side" at a time when many are being prosecuted for what is being described as trumped war crimes allegations.
In her message to the nation, Mrs May said that, as the daughter of a vicar, she was aware of the demands placed on those who have to work over Christmas.
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Noting the persecution faced by Christians in other parts of the world at Christmas, she voiced her determination "to stand up for the freedom of people of all religions to practise their beliefs in peace and safety".
She concluded: "Wherever you are this Christmas, I wish you joy and peace in this season of celebration, along with health and happiness in the year ahead."
In a video message circulated on Twitter, Mr Johnson said that despite war in Syria and terror attacks in Europe, mankind as a whole was making progress in terms of health, education and longevity.
And he said that "global Britain" was leading the effort to continue the improvements.
Standing in front of a Christmas tree at the Foreign Office in London, Mr Johnson said: "We come now to the end of 2016 and I know that lots of people will be looking back at some of the gloomier bits about last year.
"We have still got a terrible civil war going on in Syria, we are seeing terrorist outrages taking place on our European continent.
"But I want you to know that British diplomats, British armed forces, British security services, British intelligence services are working the whole time to keep this country safe and to tackle these problems at source."
http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/746877/Theresa-may-first-christmas-message-pm-britain-come-together
