France will not bow to terrorism despite Charlie Hebdo massacre

France will not bow to terrorism.

The massacre in France was a chilling start to 2015.

To murder people in such a cold-blooded, fanatical fashion is an outrage against everything which democracy stands for.

The only heartening aspect of this tragedy is that it has brought the French people together and united them to stand up for what they believe in the right to freedom of speech and a free press.

To see thousands of people gathered together in solidarity in the centre of Paris sends a clear message to terrorists you will not change our way of life.

In every country’s history there are defining moments. The French Revolution when men and women of courage overturned the monarchy and chose to become a Republic was such a moment.

Now the threat from Muslim terrorists has awakened them to the need to defend the society they cherish.

I love France. It’s not just the food, the people, the culture, the countryside, the elegance of French cities that I admire, it’s their feisty determination to hold on to the essence of what they value most.

To enjoy their two-hour lunches, their short working day, the French way of life, their belief that living should be done with style and dignity.

Their education system and their health care system is at the heart of everything they do. It is the French way.

They are a multicultural society and have welcomed people from all over the world to share their country and to enjoy its pleasures.

They are proud of their intellectual debates, their journals, books and libraries. This attack strikes at the heart of that. And they will not tolerate it.

No religion, no dogma, sanctions the brutality of what happened in Paris this week. Good will prevail.

And it is men and women of conviction, courage and decency who will make it happen by standing firm, holding a silent vigil for what they know to be true that humanity is better than this.

New Yorkers refused to be beaten after 9/11 and they stood together and rebuilt a Freedom Tower in their city to define their way of life.

The French, I know, will be equally defiant.