 I am most touched to be asked to join you here this evening at the British Library and to assist in the opening of this exhibition, which has been put together in celebration of the extraordinary agreement that was first assented to by King John in 1215, known as Magna Carta. Magna Carta resembled a contract between the crown and the community of the realm, and it gave permanent rights to that community, even its humblest members. I would like to suggest that Magna Carta itself truly has inspired ideas of freedom. I'm therefore delighted to open this fascinating exhibition.