Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn both avoid Brexit in Christmas messages to nation

The PM praised the country’s ‘Christian values of love, service and compassion’

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn have both released Christmas messages to the nation.

The Prime Minister’s message calls on the country to live up to its Christian values, while the Labour leader said he hoped people would do more to make the UK “the kind of society we want to live in”.

Neither Brexit nor the June general election were mentioned by either politician.

Ms May paid tribute to the armed forces and the emergency services whose efforts in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire and terrorist attacks in London and Manchester “inspired the nation”.

She also called on people to remember the “sickening persecution” of the Rohingya Muslims.

Ms May said: “As we gather with our friends and family, I want to say thank you to all those whose service to others means they will be spending time away from their loved ones this Christmas.

“The heroes in our emergency services, whose courage and dedication so inspired the nation in response to tragedy at Grenfell Tower and the abhorrent terrorist attacks in Manchester and London. But whose service saves lives in our communities every day, including Christmas Day.

“As we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us celebrate all those selfless acts – and countless others – that epitomise the values we share: Christian values of love, service and compassion that are lived out every day in our country by people of all faiths and none.

“Let us take pride in our Christian heritage and the confidence it gives us to ensure that in Britain you can practice your faith free from question or fear.

“So this Christmas, whatever our faith, let us come together confident and united in the values we share. And wherever you are at this special time of year, let me wish you all a very happy Christmas.”

Mr Corbyn asked people to think about those who are “cut off and lonely” or living though conflict at Christmas.

The Labour leader said: “We think of those living in nations like Yemen, Syria and Libya in fear of bombs and bullets, of injury and death.

“None of this is inevitable. We pride ourselves on being a compassionate nation.

“My Christmas wish is that we all do more to help bring about the kind of society and world we want to live in.

“Whenever you can show people love, show them you care and enjoy your Christmas.”