An enduring emblem of British greatness

WATCHING the spectacular fireworks display over the Thames that marked the close of Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, the Prime Minister Jim Callaghan turned to his guests and with a beaming smile declared, “Just what the country needed.”

- Leo McKinstry

The festivities that summer had been a roaring success, confounding official fears that public enthusiasm might be tepid amid the economic and political turmoil engulfing the nation.

In fact, the British people celebrated with fervour, partly because the Jubilee served as an antidote to strife, and partly out of admiration for the Crown, which was one of the few parts of civic life in the 70s that functioned well.

It is impossible to avoid the parallels between this weekend’s Jubilee and the events of 45 years ago. Once again, the Government is under siege and the economy is in trouble, with inflation rampant, growth sluggish, taxation on the rise, and debt exploding. Yet it is precisely this difficult backdrop that has galvanised the celebrations so impressively.

The public is not only desperate for some relief from the cost-of- living crisis, but also wants to show pride in our country despite all the current problems.

Above all, just as in 1977, they want to express their admiration to the Queen, who has continued to fulfil her role with grace and without complaint, even if her public appearances may now be rationed.

Yet her understandable frailty at the age of 96 only adds to her stature, emphasizing how dedicated she has been over seven decades and how much we miss her when she has an enforced absence like the one that compelled her to miss the Thanksgiving Service on Friday.

The national devotion to her now is even greater than it was back in 1977, due to her astonishing record of duty and commitment.