The Times (June 29)
“Barring some unforeseen upset, in 20 days Andy Burnham will be prime minister. No other contender has so far emerged.” His suitability for the position, however, remains “wholly untested. Charm is not enough.” Before his looming “coronation… the country has three weeks to understand what Mr Burnham intends to do with the power so casually bestowed upon him by backbenchers desperate to draw a line under the reign of Sir Keir Starmer.”
Tags: Backbenchers, Burnham, Charm, Contender, Coronation, Desperate, Power, Prime minister, Suitability, Unforeseen, Untested, Upset
Financial Times (June 1)
Stirring both celebration and reflection, Queen Elizabeth’s reign marked 60 years. “Monarchy may seem an outdated concept in a modern democratic age. But the enthusiasm spilling out on to Britain’s streets as the public celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s diamond jubilee shows that it can still command widespread respect and affection.” About 80% of Brits support the monarchy, and the Queen’s popularity is even higher. At her coronation, “Britain was in the grip of austerity. The occasion brought a flash of welcome pageantry to the everyday grimness. Today Britain is again facing hard times. This weekend offers another chance to forget the everyday but also to celebrate a monarch who has helped the UK stay a steady course.”Stirring both celebration and reflection, Queen Elizabeth’s reign marked 60 years. “Monarchy may seem an outdated concept in a modern democratic age. But the enthusiasm spilling out on to Britain’s streets as the public celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s diamond jubilee shows that it can still command widespread respect and affection.” About 80% of Brits support the monarchy, and the Queen’s popularity is even higher. At her coronation, “Britain was in the grip of austerity. The occasion brought a flash of welcome pageantry to the everyday grimness. Today Britain is again facing hard times. This weekend offers another chance to forget the everyday but also to celebrate a monarch who has helped the UK stay a steady course.”
Tags: Austerity, Coronation, Diamond jubilee, Monarchy, Popularity, Queen Elizabeth, UK
