Newham Voices: October 2022 - Remembering Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth 11

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"School turns to street art to mourn the Queen

The death of the Queen which led to a wave of sadness among many in Newham, particularly children, prompted Julie Carver, a teacher at Gainsborough School West Ham to organise a special artistic legacy for the monarch. 

The day after the Queen died she contacted street artists MurWalls and asked for their help. The result was this mural of the Queen donated to the school by UK based Canadian artist Chris Levine is best known for his “Lightness of Being” a feted portrait of Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022) with her eyes closed. 

The school’s mural is a picture of the Queen with her eyes open and in Mr Levine’s distinctive style. 

Children laid flowers at the mural and people were able to write messages of condolence in a book on a table draped in the Union Jack. MurWalls Ltd, Street Art since 2019, info@murwalls.com"

Service of Thanksgiving at West Ham Church for Queen Elizabeth

 

This morning I went to a "Service of Thanksgiving" for the late Queen at  the historic, All Saints Church, in the ward I represent as an elected Councillor, West Ham, in Newham London. I was with the representative for the West Ham Parliamentary Constituency, Lyn Brown MP and the Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE.  

It was a wonderful service. A mixture of tradition possessions, hymns and prayers alongside more modern music performances.  During which Mayor Fiaz gave a Tribute and Lyn Brown MP, a Reading. It was in all a fitting way to honour the late Queen, who was very much a traditionalist but also kept up with the times. 

At the end of the service, for the first time, I sung "God Save the King", which did seem very strange at first but by the end it seemed more natural. The sight of young children from the church creche jumping up and down and dancing with excitement during the national anthem brought a smile to my face. I am sure that King Charles III would not mind. 

Afterwards I signed the book of condolences and thanked the Queen for her long public service. While I have explained previously my personal belief in constitutional reform, I  have nothing but respect for Queen Elizabeth. A dedicated, tireless public servant, who has served this nation in peace and war, for the past 96 years.

Goodbye and thank you Queen Elizabeth

Yesterday I was driving from London to North Wales, due to a family medical emergency (my Mum) when I heard the news that the Queen was unwell and that members of her immediate family had been called to her bedside in Balmoral, Scotland.

When I heard about the disruption to Parliamentary business caused by the news of her ill health, I thought this was very serious and maybe she had already passed away.

I also thought that maybe, the call for my family members to rush to a North Wales A&E meant a similar outcome for my mother.

However, my 81 year old Mum, although still very poorly, has so far responded well to fantastic NHS medical attention and treatment, while of course, our 96 year old Queen, sadly passed away.

As a convinced republican, I do not believe in a hereditary monarch being our Head of State, but I have nothing but respect for Queen Elizabeth. A dedicated, tireless public servant, who has served this nation for at least the last 70 years.

The picture below is a famous one, which is the earliest memory I have of the late Queen. I cannot remember, where or when I first saw it.

While I wish that the great British Public will some time in the future, decide not to inflict the huge pressures of becoming head of state on the royal family, there seems little or no likelihood of this happening any time soon.

So, I wish our future King Charles 111, my condolences on his very sad loss, good luck and all the best for the future as our King and head of state (while if he changes his mind about the role of the monarchy, then give us a bell)

The Queen and I: By a Loyal Republican

 

This is a post from 2012. I don't think that my views have changed but my respect for the Queen as a public servant and our Head of State still remains. 

Happy Platinum Jubilee Ma'am.

 
"I don’t think that I have posted before about the Monarchy? Which is rather odd since this is supposed to be a political blog yet in 5 years I have never mentioned our Head of State. Today I will not be lining the banks of the River Thames or watch the procession on telly unlike millions of my compatriots.

I am a republican and do not believe that it is right that the head of state should be an unelected heredity monarchy. I do not believe that it is right or proper that our MP’s, our judges, our senior civil servants, our military and police should swear an oath of loyalty not to upholding democracy and the rule of law in our country. Instead it is to Queen and her heirs. This is completely and utterly inequitable, illogical and even frankly absurd whatever way you look at it.

Yet, my views are very much in a minority. According to a recent poll 80% of the population support the monarchy with only 13% calling for a republic.

I think it is important to remember that my opposition is political it is not personal. It has nothing to with the Queen or her family. In fact as someone who believes in a public service ethos there is very few people I can think of who can demonstrate 60 years of such duty.

An elected President would not be without its problems. To me the words “President Thatcher” would have been hard to stomach. Getting rid of the monarchy would probably do little or nothing either to tackle the gross income inequality in our society. The Constitutional monarchies of Japan and Sweden are the most equal societies in the world, while the most unequal, is of course the Republic of the United States of America.

Constitutionally I suppose since all the major political parties are unquestionably monarchist and a clear majority of MP’s have always supported the status quo then ironically the Queen is our democratically arrived at Head of State. So why I don’t agree with the process I do as a citizen (not a subject) respect my Head of State.

Last week I attended a Jubilee Party at one of the primary schools in my ward. There was a mass of union jacks, patriotic bunting and pictures of the Queen. Hundreds of very excited children, many dressed as princesses and princes, looked upon by doting parents and grandparents. Before tackling the biggest piles of cakes that I have ever, ever seen, the children all sang word perfectly the song “God Bless the Queen” (see words on picture) while waving flags (and the occasional plastic swords). The scene reminds me of similar photographs from past Royal Jubilee’s and Coronation Parties. I don’t think anyone present will ever forget this celebration nor the processions and parades to follow this weekend.

And no matter what I may think or wish I very much doubt this Royal celebration will be the last.

VE Day 75

Today is the 75th anniversary of #VEDay 

Events have been adapted to mark the occasion at home. 

11am - national two-minute silence 

3pm - Toast to heroes of World War Two 

9pm - Address by the Queen followed by 'We'll Meet Again' sing-along 

https://newham.gov.uk/news/article/374/mayor-s-call-to-join-dame-vera-lynn-s-ve-day-singalong… 

#VEDayAtHome

President Donald Trump and Queenie

Love it but he is such a .......

Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary and "Repeat please!"

Today is the anniversary of the start of "The Battle of Britain".  A flypast of RAF Second World War and modern war planes took place over Buckingham Place.  Six surviving pilots joined the Queen for the display and her fellow war veteran husband, 94 year old Prince Philip, said a rude word about a photographer.  

Some 3000 aircrew fought for Britain's survival during the Battle, 20% were from the British Dominions and occupied European or neutral countries; 544 RAF Fighter Command pilots were killed and 2,500 German Luftwaffe aircrew were killed.

This clip from the film, Battle of Britain, is one of my favourites long before Polish plumbers became a political issue. Lest we forget those who fought and died for us in our long hours of need.

The Queen and I: by a loyal republican

I don’t think that I have posted before about the Monarchy? Which is rather odd since this is supposed to be a political blog yet in 5 years I have never mentioned our Head of State. Today I will not be lining the banks of the River Thames or watch the procession on telly unlike millions of my compatriots.

I am a republican and do not believe that it is right that the head of state should be an unelected heredity monarchy. I do not believe that it is right or proper that our MP’s, our judges, our senior civil servants, our military and police should swear an oath of loyalty not to upholding democracy and the rule of law in our country. Instead it is to Queen and her heirs. This is completely and utterly inequitable, illogical and even frankly absurd whatever way you look at it.

Yet, my views are very much in a minority. According to a recent poll 80% of the population support the monarchy with only 13% calling for a republic.

I think it is important to remember that my opposition is political it is not personal. It has nothing to with the Queen or her family. In fact as someone who believes in a public service ethos there is very few people I can think of who can demonstrate 60 years of such duty.

An elected President would not be without its problems. To me the words “President Thatcher” would have been hard to stomach. Getting rid of the monarchy would probably do little or nothing either to tackle the gross income inequality in our society. The Constitutional monarchies of Japan and Sweden are the most equal societies in the world while the most unequal is of course the Republic of the United States of America.

Constitutionally I suppose since all the major political parties are unquestionably monarchist and a clear majority of MP’s have always supported the status quo then ironically the Queen is our democratically arrived at Head of State. So why I don’t agree with the process I do as a citizen (not a subject) respect my Head of State.

Last week I attended a Jubilee Party at one of the primary schools in my ward. There was a mass of union jacks, patriotic bunting and pictures of the Queen. Hundreds of very excited children, many dressed as princesses and princes, looked upon by doting parents and grandparents. Before tackling the biggest piles of cakes that I have ever, ever seen, the children all sang word perfectly the song “God Bless the Queen” (see words on picture) while waving flags (and the occasional plastic swords). The scene reminds me of similar photographs from past Royal Jubilee’s and Coronation Parties. I don’t think anyone present will ever forget this celebration nor the processions and parades to follow this weekend.

And no matter what I may think or wish I very much doubt this Royal celebration will be the last.