Freedom, democracy and justice.

These treasured gifts are for what each of the D-day soldiers bravely fought.

Yesterday marked the 70th anniversary of the D-day landings, and the momentous sacrifice of thousands of Allied troops.

The country will never be able to do justice to the actions of so many brave soldiers who gave their lives in opposition to tyranny and oppression.

But D-Day is a chance for everyone to reflect on the horrors and the war in general, whilst giving our undying respect to those who survived the horrors of War.

Thankfully democracy is the foundation of British society, and we have the gifts of free speech and religious and cultural acceptance.

Each of the Allied troops was willing to lay down his life for these causes, and without their commitment and valour, the evils of Nazism may have triumphed, and the world might have been a very different place.

But we must look to totalitarian regimes in countries such as North Korea and Russia, to fully appreciate the values of human rights and freedom, whilst coming together as an international community to try and resolve these issues.

In this country we are very critical of the current state of politics, but the D-Day memorials should act as a symbol for the undying power of democracy and freedom of expression.

We must never forget that we are privileged to be living in a democratic country.

Thousands of soldiers fought to maintain a system of tolerance and expression for the whole population, and the tragedy is that many had to die for this to be realised.

So I offer my upmost gratitude and respect to the D-Day veterans, and those that gave their lives for our benefit, and I urge people not to take democracy for granted.