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New Blackmore Vale, 24 June 2022
blackmorevale.net
Politics
The Queen is the personification of values we should aspire to I thought I would devote this edition’s article to some reflections on the Jubilee Weekend. As disappointed as I was not to be unable to attend the events in Blandford and Sherborne on the Friday to which I had been invited, I did have a very good reason. You can only imagine the thrill of surprise I felt when a very grand Buckingham Palace envelope and very stiff invitation card landed on our doormat inviting me to attend the Service of National Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral. It was a tremendously stirring and emotional occasion, perhaps made more so as The Queen was unable to attend. Just as we had seen at the Trooping the Colour, the full panoply of State pageantry was on display. I know it’s a well worn phrase but I think we all did feel we were at an historic event – there is, after all, unlikely to be a Platinum Jubilee anywhere in the world again. It was an honour to attend and the whole day will hold a very special place in my heart. As much as I enjoyed it I was delighted to get back home to Dorset. Every village, town and hamlet seemed bedecked with bunting, flags and Jubilee joy. Perhaps it was because it was the first time we could all come together since Covid that the whole weekend had a very special thrill but, again, I think it was because we all wanted to be able to say in the coming years – I was there, I took part. From cake judging – I know, a tough gig but someone has to do it – at Lydlinch, the Civic Service at Sturminster, the Tithe Barn lunch at Hinton St Mary to serving Pimm’s – in the rain – at Verwood it was all magical. All ages and whole communities coming together to thank a very special Monarch for all she has done for our country and the Commonwealth.
Conservative MP for North Dorset Simon Hoare The crowds at every event across the country represented the full demographic of modern Britain. That, of itself, is worth celebrating because events which can do so are very few and far between. As much as it was a UK event, it was also a world event. It was for the Commonwealth but other countries too look with admiration at our Queen. Look at the warm and heartfelt tributes from Presidents Biden and Macron, as well as from other world leaders. As much as The Queen represents a constitutional role, she is also the personification of values. Values we should aspire to and seek to replicate. It is impossible I’d suggest to compose a definitive list of the values but here are some of my thoughts which I guess most readers will share. Pre-eminent is public rather than self-service. The subverting of the selfishness of the self to the service of the greater good. The subjugation of unfettered liberty to the compelling motivation of duty. A firm and clear faith to act as a bedrock and point of reference. A clear belief in country and its values that can be useful in and to the world. Respecting the institutions
Perhaps The Queen’s greatest value is her understanding of family. wwwPHOTO: WikiImages
that invisibly hold our national tapestry together. Perhaps as a by-product of being hereditary, a sense of the tiny span of time that we occupy this earth and being a temporary custodianship which recognising the force to do as much good as we can in the time we have available to us. Perhaps The Queen’s greatest value is her understanding of family. A loving wife, mother, grandmother and now great grandmother. The product of loving and devoted parents herself, yet devoid of even a hint of rose-tinted spectacles when it comes to an understanding of the potential for ups and downs in every family. Those who know her best speak of her mischievous sense of humour. Come on, let’s be honest, who did not have a lump in their throat while smiling at the pre-concert
Paddington scene. Proving, just as she did at the opening of London 2012, that no matter what one’s age you can still possess the power to amuse and surprise. Let’s all pray that, should we reach her great age, we can still do the same. Perhaps The Queen’s greatest attribute is the ability to unite and bind together. A figure of stability, calm and dignity at a time when we need them more than ever. The country demonstrated it prefers coming together than being divided. Will cheer to the rafters the humble, quiet, dignified service the Queen has demonstrated these last 70 years. There are lessons for some politicians to draw and I hope they do so. Let me close by echoing the words we all uttered many times in recent weeks: ‘thank you’ and ‘God Save The Queen’.
