Shailesh Vara MP today spoke in the House of Commons on behalf of his constituents in North West Cambridgeshire, to congratulate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee.

Mr Vara spoke of the huge changes that have taken place in the UK and across the world during the past 70 years, and how Her Majesty has been “The Platinum Thread” throughout this period.

He referred to Her Majesty’s reign covering, amongst other things, 14 UK Prime Ministers, starting with Sir Winston Churchill, 14 US Presidents, 7 Popes since Pius XII, and the expansion of the Commonwealth from 8 countries in 1952 to 54 countries now.

Mr Vara mentioned occasions when the Queen had visited parts of his constituency, including a visit in 2012 to Burghley House to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, along with 7,000 other visitors.

When speaking of the changes that have taken place in the last 7 decades, Mr Vara also mentioned being born in Uganda at a time when Uganda was still part of the British Empire and coming to the UK and proudly paying tribute to Her Majesty in the House of Commons on behalf of his constituents.