Everything this week has been overshadowed by the death of Queen Elizabeth II who has been part of our lives for as long as most of us can remember. No-one, whether a supporter of the monarchy or not, could fail to be impressed by her dedication to duty - the extraordinary fact that she was greeting our new Prime Minister a mere 48 hours before her death.
I agree about her dedication to duty (although I do wonder if having to ask Liz Truss to form a government might have been what did for her), and that historically this is a significant time.
But I’m afraid her presence did not comfort me in the face of the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine, or the economic catastrophe happening to the country, to name just three. That’s not a reflection on her – nobody in her position could have provided that comfort.
I didn’t know her, so I don’t feel any sadness at her passing, and frankly I don't see how any rational, emotionally sound person can genuinely mourn the death of someone who on a personal level was a total stranger.
It's certainly nice to have a head of state who isn't another elected politician - think who we might end up with. My biggest problem with it isn't the cost, or the democratic deficit (as long as they only use their powers in "rubber stamp" mode), it's the way it all ties into our institutionalised system of rank, and deference, and hereditary peers in our legislature. And I find the current mawkishness another facet of all that.
Very well put Fiona.
I agree about her dedication to duty (although I do wonder if having to ask Liz Truss to form a government might have been what did for her), and that historically this is a significant time.
But I’m afraid her presence did not comfort me in the face of the climate crisis, the war in Ukraine, or the economic catastrophe happening to the country, to name just three. That’s not a reflection on her – nobody in her position could have provided that comfort.
I didn’t know her, so I don’t feel any sadness at her passing, and frankly I don't see how any rational, emotionally sound person can genuinely mourn the death of someone who on a personal level was a total stranger.
Absolutely right Fiona!
Lovely, Fiona well put and thank you.
It's certainly nice to have a head of state who isn't another elected politician - think who we might end up with. My biggest problem with it isn't the cost, or the democratic deficit (as long as they only use their powers in "rubber stamp" mode), it's the way it all ties into our institutionalised system of rank, and deference, and hereditary peers in our legislature. And I find the current mawkishness another facet of all that.