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David Cameron delivers rebuttal for Russia's alleged 'small island' comment David Cameron delivers rebuttal for Russia's alleged 'small island' comment
(12 days later)
It was upon a golf cart – the first time the Prime Minister has driven a vehicle for three years – that the muse and the riposte struck him. Operating on less than three hours sleep following a gruelling dinner discussing Syria, including a 20 minute "intervention" by the Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Cameron had something else to think about overnight.It was upon a golf cart – the first time the Prime Minister has driven a vehicle for three years – that the muse and the riposte struck him. Operating on less than three hours sleep following a gruelling dinner discussing Syria, including a 20 minute "intervention" by the Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Cameron had something else to think about overnight.
How, that was, to respond to a claim attributed to President Putin's press attache that Britain is a "small island no one listens to". Overnight Cameron's press office sent out a cursory rebuttal − that for a small island, the UK "can achieve a big footprint in the world".How, that was, to respond to a claim attributed to President Putin's press attache that Britain is a "small island no one listens to". Overnight Cameron's press office sent out a cursory rebuttal − that for a small island, the UK "can achieve a big footprint in the world".
By the time, Cameron came to meet UK reporters he had fashioned patriotic words that straddled Scepter'd Isle and Love Actually. Teed up whether he felt his host had been a little dismissive of Britain's achievements over the centuries, he started with a cursory diplomatic rider: "We have been told that the Russians absolutely deny making the remark, and certainly no one's made it to me."By the time, Cameron came to meet UK reporters he had fashioned patriotic words that straddled Scepter'd Isle and Love Actually. Teed up whether he felt his host had been a little dismissive of Britain's achievements over the centuries, he started with a cursory diplomatic rider: "We have been told that the Russians absolutely deny making the remark, and certainly no one's made it to me."
But then without pausing for breath, he gave a sweeping, if occasionally fanciful overview of Britain's qualities that should now be patented by the British tourist board. "Let me be clear − Britain may be a small island, but I would challenge anyone to find a country with a prouder history, a bigger heart or greater resilience.But then without pausing for breath, he gave a sweeping, if occasionally fanciful overview of Britain's qualities that should now be patented by the British tourist board. "Let me be clear − Britain may be a small island, but I would challenge anyone to find a country with a prouder history, a bigger heart or greater resilience.
"Britain is an island that has helped to clear the European continent of fascism and was resolute in doing that throughout the second world war."Britain is an island that has helped to clear the European continent of fascism and was resolute in doing that throughout the second world war.
"Britain is an island that helped to abolish slavery, that has invented most of the things worth inventing − including every sport currently played around the world − that still today is responsible for art, literature and music that delights the entire world.""Britain is an island that helped to abolish slavery, that has invented most of the things worth inventing − including every sport currently played around the world − that still today is responsible for art, literature and music that delights the entire world."
It was not clear if this last remark was a reference to Mumford and Sons, the prime minister's favourite band, or perhaps a reference to Elgar − whose music should have been piped into the press room as an accompaniment.It was not clear if this last remark was a reference to Mumford and Sons, the prime minister's favourite band, or perhaps a reference to Elgar − whose music should have been piped into the press room as an accompaniment.
With his senior exhausted diplomats now waking from their slumbers by his side, Cameron continued on his panegyric: "We are very proud of everything we do as a small island − a small island that has the sixth-largest economy, the fourth best-funded military, some of the most effective diplomats, the proudest history, one of the best records for art and literature and contribution to philosophy and world civilisation."With his senior exhausted diplomats now waking from their slumbers by his side, Cameron continued on his panegyric: "We are very proud of everything we do as a small island − a small island that has the sixth-largest economy, the fourth best-funded military, some of the most effective diplomats, the proudest history, one of the best records for art and literature and contribution to philosophy and world civilisation."
He added: "For the people who live in Northern Ireland, I should say we are not just an island we are a collection of islands. I don't want anyone in Shetland or Orkney to feel left out by this." Modestly, Cameron then explained that he was quite happy for his remarks to be set to music.He added: "For the people who live in Northern Ireland, I should say we are not just an island we are a collection of islands. I don't want anyone in Shetland or Orkney to feel left out by this." Modestly, Cameron then explained that he was quite happy for his remarks to be set to music.
Labour meanwhile, offered a more muted response. Ed Miliband's adviser Stewart Wood questioned some of the UK's inventive dominance by tweeting a link to the Encyclopaedia Britannica list of greatest inventions & country of origin. Some appear not to be British.Labour meanwhile, offered a more muted response. Ed Miliband's adviser Stewart Wood questioned some of the UK's inventive dominance by tweeting a link to the Encyclopaedia Britannica list of greatest inventions & country of origin. Some appear not to be British.
And the Russians insisted they had at no point belittled the UK at any briefing this week.And the Russians insisted they had at no point belittled the UK at any briefing this week.
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