The Queen and Archbishop of Canterbury call for unity and to end language of hatred and tribalism

“Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding.”

As head of state, the Queen remains publicly neutral on political matters and does not express her views. But many viewers may interpret her words as a reference to the toxic mood of the public debate around Britain leaving the EU.

The broadcast was recorded on 12 December, before Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn’s angry Commons clash in which the Labour leader was accused of calling May a “stupid woman”, which he denied.

The Archbishop of Canterbury calls for end to ‘the languages of hatred and tribalism’ weeks after urging people to show restraint while discussing Brexit; Cardinal Vincent Nichols says UK faces time of uncertainty and ‘absence of consensus’.

In his Christmas message the Archbishop of Canterbury called for “the languages of hatred and tribalism” to be replaced by the language of love, weeks after calling upon the nation to make Brexit “a crisis where we restrain our language”.

Justin Welby’s message was echoed by other religious leaders who made references to “difficult times” and an “absence of consensus”.

Meanwhile The Queen described the importance of having loved ones around her: “Through the many changes I have seen over the years, faith, family and friendship have been not only a constant for me but a source of personal comfort and reassurance.”

“Perhaps part of that wisdom is to recognise some of life’s baffling paradoxes, such as the way human beings have a huge propensity for good, and yet a capacity for evil.

“Even the power of faith, which frequently inspires great generosity and self-sacrifice, can fall victim to tribalism.”