HASfter the funeral of Elizabeth II, what does the future hold for post-Elizabethan Britain? Whatever one thinks of the system of monarchy within a democracy, immense respect is due for the seventy years the Queen has devoted to her function as an impartial head of state and her unifying role in the country and beyond. That said, today much of what she embodied is called into question.
The Queen represented the almost paradoxical unity of four nations in one: the United Kingdom. From now on, it is quite possible that Scotland will leave the British union to join the European Union. As for Northern Ireland, it increasingly sees its future alongside the Republic of Ireland, as a sort of informal member of the European Union. Great Britain, even if it is not limited to a union of England and Wales, will need a constitutional reorganization.
Elizabeth II also represented continuity, security, certainty. But today’s Britain is struggling with double-digit inflation, spiraling public debt, a likely recession and chronic productivity problems while being led by an inexperienced Prime Minister, Liz Truss, at the head of a cabinet that has hardly had the opportunity to prove itself. Also, despite the optimism that characterizes Ms Truss, 69% of those questioned in a recent opinion poll believe that the country is ” in decline “.
Bombastic speeches
Queen Elizabeth II has not only inherited respect and attention from around the world, she has earned it herself. So she was probably the most famous woman in the world for decades. An estimated one billion people watched his cameo appearance, escorted by James Bond, at the 2012 London Olympics. Upon news of his death, NASA tweeted: “We join the planet in paying him a final tribute. » Part of this fascination was transferred to the United Kingdom, this State of which it was the constitutional incarnation and the emblem. However, after Brexit, the country’s position and influence are now at their lowest.
Elizabeth II further facilitated the transition from the British Empire to the Commonwealth and the transformation of the United Kingdom from a great imperial power to a medium-sized Euro-Atlantic power. But several of the former dominions and colonies of which she was still the head of state are seriously considering doing without the services of her successor, King Charles III. Commonwealth expert Philip Murphy even speaks of a possible “rush out”. Be that as it may, more and more pressing voices will be raised for Charles III to recognize and redeem the damage caused by colonization.
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