Jubilee weekend is not just an opportunity for us to reflect on the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the throne – although, of course, it will be.
And it’s not just a chance for a country tired of the extraordinary circumstances of the last few years to let its hair down – although, of course, it’s your patriotic duty to do just that.
No, the first platinum anniversary in the history of our nation is a chance to celebrate a truly extraordinary queen, reflect on the difference she has made in her country, and think about what our Elizabethan era means – and what it will mean for our future.
In the coming days there will be time for rich research of history. How Her Majesty has led us through turbulent times and stood by us through good and bad.
But I want to reflect on the values that the Queen represents and how they have made her such a popular, unifying and enduring figure.
We live in a time when our attitude towards power has changed. The culture of honor from the early part of Her Majesty’s reign has long since disappeared.
But the queen has managed to rise above much of the cunning and cynicism: the hope and confidence she represents sometimes feel like a return to an earlier era. People’s admiration for her goes far beyond the typical relationship between a monarch and the people.
It’s no secret how she handled it. Her Majesty’s commitment to debt and her passion to develop our country on the world stage have not only benefited each of us – they have also given her the respect and love of people here and around the world. She showed us that honesty, hard work and selflessness are the antidote to pessimism.
The truth is that with great power comes great responsibility, but the reign of the queen is a constant reminder of the way to deal with it – to block the noise and keep working.
The Western world has changed beyond recognition since the 1950s. This has led to fundamental questions about what it means to be a citizen and what it means to be a patriot. Britain is not removed in this. Her Majesty’s constant presence – a bridge between different eras – is an important part of helping us to fight these issues.
The fact that Britain rejects extremism at all times is largely due to our idea of who we are as a nation: an idea born of a sense of stability that cannot exist without strong institutions.
Looking at last year’s Euro 2020 tournament, it was striking not only how many of the players of the native nations are immigrants of the first, second or third generation, but also how many of those wearing copies of T-shirts in the stands or in pubs.
The festivities this weekend will feel the same way. I encourage everyone to get involved – and I support this newspaper’s call on local authorities to try to secure as many events as possible and to celebrate as many people as possible.
Just like at the coronation of the queen in 1953, our country is at a crossroads. Just like then, we went through a big change. And as then, the voices of sirens are heard saying that our best days are behind us.
But they will prove themselves wrong again. Britain, which is emerging on this platinum anniversary, is one that is once again ready to move forward from the hardships of recent years, stronger in its experience and more than able to seize the opportunities ahead. New patriotism is being born all around us, which is easy, confident and inclusive.
Just as the Queen has led us for the last 70 years, everything she has taught us – duty, tolerance, humility and responsibility – will continue to lead us into this next era. We are a better, brighter country because of her. Our history is richer, our future is built on stronger foundations, and our great country is becoming even bigger than its rule.
Now this is something worth celebrating.
Sir Keir Starmer is the leader of the Labor Party
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