Today, I joined the pupils, staff and alumni of Stockport Grammar School in observing two minutes silence in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy the many freedoms we take for granted today.

Remembrance Day gives us an opportunity to stand united as a nation in honouring the fallen of two World Wars, as well as other conflicts in Korea, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the Balkans, Iraq, and of course Afghanistan.

The Old Stopfordian's Roll of Honour features the names of 120 former pupils killed in action over the past century, and I am honoured to commemorate them today. 

They, like millions of others, have paid for the freedoms we enjoy. We will never forget.