Unlike D-Day, this anniversary was a largely French celebration - a tribute to the men and women whose courage restored France"s national pride."

Thanks to their courage, grit and perseverance, we have given Iraqis a chance to shape their future, and we are successfully leaving Iraq to its people.

I did not share or like his attitudes on Europe, social policy or on issues like gay rights, but there were two points of connection: he was an outsider and he had balls.