Video: Nick Clegg's Christmas YouTube message thanking volunteers

The Liberal Democrat leader championed the work of volunteers over the festive period

Nick Clegg posted a Christmas message championing the work of volunteers over the festive period

Nick Clegg has posted a Christmas message on YouTube, praising the work of volunteers and thanking them for helping to keep the country “ticking over” while most people are off during the festive period. The leader of the Liberal Democrats went onto thank the armed forces for their help.

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In the short video he said: "I want to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful break. It is of course one of the biggest events in the Christian calendar. A time for hope, kindness, family and goodwill."

He went onto say: "What is so extraordinary about this time of year is that it brings together the whole country, religious, non-religious, Christian, non-Christian to embrace these values and celebrate together."

"We always talk about Christmas in terms of the indulgence, the excess but behind the festivities, a great many selfless acts go unnoticed. So I’d like to say thank you to the volunteers who spend their holiday helping those less fortunate, to our armed forces, many of whom will be away, and to their families who make as important a sacrifice for the rest of us too. And to all of us who will be working, on-call, keeping the country ticking over while everyone else is off."