'What's a dad to do,' the former prime minister said before weaving all the pop star's album names into his speech.
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00:00 As most people know, subject only to God, my family is the centre of my life and at the very centre of our family is Jen.
00:07 I cannot imagine life without her. I love you Jen and always will. That is the cross you have to bear.
00:15 Your love has been my stay and strength. You are the other half of our joined soul.
00:23 Who by the grace of God brought Abby and Lily, our miracle girls, into our lives.
00:34 Who we celebrate and love.
00:37 I thank Abby and Lily for their own sacrifices as they have grown.
00:41 Necessitated by having a father in public life.
00:44 They are beautiful girls in every way as you can see.
00:47 And I could not be more proud of them as a father.
00:50 They are our joy and our delight and I am so pleased that we can now have the time that was necessarily denied us for so long.
00:58 In preparing for this day, Abby and Lily suggested that I should play a type of Taylor Swift bingo.
01:07 And I'm wearing the bracelet by the way.
01:11 It has ScoMo on it.
01:16 And they said by trying to work the names of every single Taylor Swift album into my remarks.
01:23 Well, what's a dad to do?
01:26 Here I go.
01:29 It is true that my political opponents have often made me see red.
01:35 Often when subjected to the tortured poets who would rise to attack my reputation.
01:42 In response, I always thought it important to be fearless and speak now.
01:49 Or forever hold my silence and allow those attacks to become folklore.
01:55 Ever since leaving university in 1989.
01:59 This has always been my approach.
02:04 My great consolation has always been my lover, Jen.
02:09 Who has always been there for me whenever I need her from dawn and beyond the many midnights we have shared together.
02:18 See, I'm actually a true numeromantic after all.
02:22 And I can show you there is no bad blood.
02:25 As I've always been someone who's been able to shake it off.
02:29 Anything for my daughters.
02:34 I also want to thank of course Jen's mum, Beth, who's looking after the cat and the dog today.
02:41 And Jen's late father, Roy, an amazing human being.
02:45 For always being on my side.
02:52 As well as Jen's siblings, Gary and Cecily and all their families.
02:57 Finally, I thank my mum, Marion, who's here.
03:02 Who is here with my late father today, John.
03:06 Together also I want to thank my brother, Alan.
03:10 Of whom I'm extremely proud.
03:13 My family growing up were the dominant example for my life.
03:17 They taught me that life is about what you contribute, not what you accumulate.
03:23 They taught me about the duty and dignity of public service.
03:31 But beyond this, I would never have known God and my saviour Jesus Christ if it was not for them.
03:39 I can think of no greater gift.
03:47 Okay, that's the emotional stuff.
03:50 Thank you.
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