I was fortunate enough to work as an observer in Johannesburg on the 1994 (“Mandela” ) South African Presidential election. I have, on the wall of my office in the House of Commons, a poster from that election bearing a portrait of Nelson Mandela that dominates the room. I am therefore reminded, daily, of the dignity, the courage, the calm perseverance and the ability to forgive of a man whose qualities we can only seek to emulate.  Most of us fail.

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