A Sense of Community
I couldn’t settle last night, as I have the flu (care of my grandson), so I sat in the lounge and watched the live stream of Her Majesty The Queen: Lying-in-State. I was aware of the news reports of thousands of people queuing to pay their respects, but often with major events such as this there can be a mental disconnect between being told something and actually seeing it. Upon watching the live stream I was surprised and profoundly moved. It was 11:45 PM and there were still hundreds of people slowly filing through Westminster Hall, despite the lateness of the hour. Although an inherently sombre spectacle, there was also something very uplifting about the proceedings. It took me a while to process my emotions. Then I realised that what I was feeling was a sense of community. Something that is very rare these days.
The UK has become a very divided country in recent years, especially since 2016. Politically, economically and socially the nation is pulling in different directions and the fault lines are no longer along obvious party political lines. Public discourse has become very partisan and scorched earth. We tend not to agree to disagree, amicably. Rather we are encouraged to consider anyone with an opposing view to be our enemy. The North dislikes the South and vice versa. The class divide is still with us and the UK’s recent flirtation with populism has seen a resurgence in racism and other forms of discrimination and “othering”. At the heart of this negative storm are the tabloid press and their insidious poison that they drip daily into the public psyche. Hence the country has been ill at ease with itself for a while and there seems no immediate change on the horizon.
Yet “The Queue” flies in the face of all this. This steady flow of British citizens from all walks of life, united in grief and respect for the late monarch, speaks of a sense of belonging. Having watched several hours of the live stream from Westminster Hall there is something very positive about seeing a populace at ease with itself. People helping the elderly and the infim as they descend the steps to the North of the hall. Or offering a tissue and a kind word to those who are visibly upset. Showing patience and good humour when faced with the logistical problems of managing such an event. All of which speaks of a cohesive and strong sense of community. For once, one’s neighbours seem accessible and not remote. Is this feeling of national identity that my parent’s generation felt during their youth?
Another fascinating aspect about this event is “The Queue” itself. At the time of writing it is currently 2.5 miles long. The route begins on Albert Embankment, next to Lambeth Bridge, before winding its way along the Thames to Southwark Park. The route passes the London Eye, National Theatre, Tate Modern and HMS Belfast. There are extra toilets and water facilities on the way. The Southbank Centre, National Theatre and BFI Southbank are extending opening hours to provide refreshments and other amenities. More than 1,000 volunteers, stewards and police officers are on hand. Visitors go through security and those waiting will be issued with numbered wristbands, allowing them to leave temporarily to use nearby facilities. Government social media accounts provide regular updates on queue length and estimated waiting time. Overall “The Queue” is a logistical marvel and a microcosm of “Britishness”.
There has been a degree of controversy in so far as serving MPs and other “dignitaries' ' being able to bypass “The Queue”. Security issues are cited as the reason for this privilege. Make of that what you will. For me this event is a distillation of all the things I consider good about being British. I don’t say that with a sense of superiority. That’s not what it is about. What I see are people expressing respect for a remarkable women. Royalist and Republicans alike. I see a mature, diverse country. And for a brief moment, the partisan agenda that we have thrust upon us on a daily basis, has been sidelined. People are being supportive of each other, even talking to each other. It highlights how so much of the divisiveness we endure comes from the outside and has a clear purpose. I hope the sentiments and spirit of “The Queue” endures beyond September 19th. But I’m not optimistic.
