AFP photo
By
Hazel Speed
I think the people of the United Kingdom owe a huge ‘thank you’ to Mrs May for representing us all as a Country whom she leads as our Prime Minister, for the dignity and diplomacy she portrayed during her visit to meet the President of The United States.
Her manners were, as one would expect, impeccable and her calm measured respect at Arlington Cemetery honouring the fallen portrayed her training those countless times at our own Cenotaph in Whitehall, as climbing so many steps, flanked by American Military would have been a most daunting task for anyone. She handled tricky calculations concerning the top step with aplomb.
We saw another side of her as well via impromptu remarks akin to facilitating a type of political double-act of the nicest kind during the Joint Press Conference. Improvisation at its best.
Mrs May ticked all the political boxes putting things on record, especially when prompted by journalists – Russia, NATO commitment, trade agreements, the President also lobbing back a question about water-boarding/enhanced interrogation into the responsibility of his key military General(s).
One BBC Political Journalist put forward a shopping list of matters which really crossed the line between political concerns into the realm of trying to provoke.
Mrs May was asked by one American journalist what her views were regarding the issues between Mexico and the United States and wisely retorted that it was a matter between Mexico and the United States. The President added that he thought The Prime Minister had more important things to worry about.
I wonder what former President Obama thought seeing President Trump and Mrs May shaking hands standing in front of the bust of Churchill which former President Obama had removed from the Oval Office, and that Mrs May representing the UK was first in the ‘queue’, not the last behind other Countries after all.
Mrs May made the announcement at the early part of this joint press conference that on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen an invitation had been extended to President Trump to visit the United Kingdom later this year for a State Visit which he has duly accepted.
Won’t they love all this in Europe – can’t we just imagine the expression on some faces already!
The President was very pro Brexit and outlined how difficult it had been in his own experience dealing with the EU as a group, compared to individual Countries therein.
Mrs May had the advantage of experience in political office and leadership of a Country, one currently in disarray over Brexit, and destiny placed her in this role via a most rare set of circumstances. She has risen to the occasion of her Office in a miraculous way.
Whilst she has been advancing the values and diplomacy as well as trade agreements with one of our best and major allies, in her absence, back home in the United Kingdom, all the Labour Opposition can muster is yet another dissenter, Jo Stevens (Wales) who resigned because she feels leaving Europe is wrong for the Country and her Constituency.
In other words, her view should override a democratic vote the majority of which voted to Leave Europe.
Mrs May will return to the United Kingdom strengthened in the knowledge that she really can, and did, take us yet another step further into a brave new world.
She is also well armed to respond to snide comments that inevitably will be hurled at her during the next Prime Minister’s Question Time in Parliament by Mr Corbyn and co.
Well done Prime Minister, you did us proud.
My words above however were soon superseded by events.
The reference in the British Press and accompanying photograph to The President and Mrs May ‘holding hands’ when in reality (a) a close look reveals The President was being gallant in helping Mrs May descend some tricky steps and (b) not a word of praise how they both adapted their political styles to accommodate each other throughout her visit and give a good Press Conference (despite the efforts of one member of the Press present who attempted to scupper the whole event with inappropriate and multiple questions), it just shows how those who lost elections in both Countries are trying to override their individual democracies, the media stoking the fires as it provides good copy.
My earlier words above thanked Mrs May for her dignity and achievements on behalf of the UK. She also ticked all the boxes politically relating to subject areas required of her whilst in the public arena.
It must have required physical stamina considering her schedule whilst in America and knowing the world press was watching everything she said or did just waiting for a slip-up, actual, metaphorical, real, imagined or made up by the press.
The press would no doubt have preferred Mrs May to have fallen down those steps.
Then, at a Press Conference in Turkey, once again, inappropriately she was asked her comments on President Trump’s latest use of his Executive Powers regarding Immigration and travel arrangements for those wishing to enter the United States. Wisely she retorted that it was a matter for President Trump and the American people.
Yet again, no ‘thank you’ to Mrs May for securing her deal with Turkey – despite the fact that all she hears back home is the constant moaning “where will we get new jobs if we leave Europe?”
By midnight it was inevitable given world outcry against President Trump that Downing Street was compelled to release the following well crafted statement.
Would it hurt to thank Mrs May for a hectic week and a successful one on behalf of Britain for the remit which was hers to fulfil.
Yes it apparently does hurt some – namely those who want to bring the UK Government down thus causing the need for a General Election to enable the democratic vote of Brexit to be overturned.
King Charles I was executed on 30th January 1649 and once again, the times of The English Civil War are most significant in relevancy to Brexit today.
Deny democracy at your peril those who wish the United Kingdom to stay in Europe as otherwise you may have blood on your hands if civil unrest takes to the streets.
To think the UK is referred to as being The Mother of Parliaments – shame on those who constantly strive to usurp the democratic majority vote of the people whose collective voice is entrusted therein.
Hazel Speed
Photo (c) Hazel Speed – used by kind permision to Tuck Magazine
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