Before you vote on 8th June – food for thought

Reuters photo

By

Hazel Speed

History, as we know, often repeats itself and thereby, inclusive therein, people make the same mistakes because few either know, nor are interested in, the events of previous centuries, even when it involved a Civil War where families fought against each other at times, due to believing in the ethos of opposing political sides. The people of the United Kingdom would do well to consult history books relevant to the English Civil War, during the 17th Century.

Although in one or two aspects those times obviously differ from present ones, in many other respects, the issues are basically the same, though may be referred to under modern phraseology and of course, under the guise of present day situations. That said, the theories are not all that dissimilar.

I have written previously regarding one or two of these issues, but before we all vote in the General Election on 8th June, I thought it worthwhile to revisit matters in this regard.

In the 17th Century, the issues were against King Charles I, who was eventually charged with Treason, and duly beheaded. Prior to that happening, there was the English Civil War – on one side was the King and his Cavaliers, and on the other, Oliver Cromwell and his ‘Roundhead’ Army, representative force of the people.

The term Roundhead was a type of nickname based on the round helmets worn with grill type metal structured visors to protect the face (‘lobster’ helmet) because of the neck nape protection section at the back.

The Country was divided, in that either a person was for the King and Royalists, alternatively, the Parliamentarians and the Roundheads.

There were many battles, until at penultimate stages, Oliver Cromwell raised and trained the Roundhead Army through which he protected Parliament from the King. It is from these times to this day that the Gentleman known as Black Rod, uses such a symbolic rod to strike on the closed doors to the House of Commons, during the State Opening of Parliament, thereby inviting those present to join the House of Lords (‘the Other Place’) to listen to The Queen’s Speech.

I have written previously regarding the Speaker of the House of Commons in the 17th Century and why he could not report to the King about Members of Parliament nor discussions therein, when the King and his men at arms imposed on a sitting of Parliament in those times.

My reference in the earlier article related to why Mr John Bercow (today’s Speaker of the House of Commons, if re-elected now of course), should not have expressed his personal thoughts and commented on why he was against President Trump making an offered, and accepted, State visit to the United Kingdom. This breached established diplomatic protocol centuries old, and embarrassed thereby, both the Government of the United Kingdom, and also our present Queen. He could have taken his concerns to higher authority privately, so one can only conjecture as to why he did not. He, of all people often chastises MPs for breaches of Parliamentary protocols, as we know.

Reverting, for a moment, to events of the 17th Century, once the King had been executed, the people began to panic, what would they do, surely they would be lost without a figurehead, as England always had a King.

Some refused to sign the death Warrant of the King, despite fighting in Oliver Cromwell’s Army.

Oliver Cromwell said “The King is not England, and England is not the King”. He then asked those reticent to sign the death warrant, “Is he (the King) guilty of Treason?” They agreed he was, so then willingly signed the document.

Brexit is the thing which is the issue before us all now.

Many have fought against leaving Europe, and despite losing the UK wide democratic vote last year, which accumulative majority vote was in favour of the UK leaving the EU, there are those who will still not ‘accept’ and abide by those democratic findings. Indeed, many political Parties, as we know, continue to try every trick in the book to overturn or usurp the outcome.

Certain groups of the media contrive to embellish such endeavours also with questions presented to the Prime Minister in aggressive and disrespectful tones to the ‘Office’. The best questions are those presented in quiet and dignified ways, but with nuances and subtleties therein. They often yield the best results.

As in the 17th Century, the fears ‘what will we do without our King?’ – we now hear – ‘how will we survive without being in Europe?’

We even hear this from the Scots via the SNP, who want to leave the UK anyway. Modern day treason of sorts in itself, despite wishing to retrain links with the English in order to trade with them. There is a word for that.

Oliver Cromwell refused the title of King when he was offered the Throne, but instead, adopted the title of Lord Protector. Also after his death there are quotes attributed to him, e.g. ‘Christ, not man, is King’.

Obviously, there is a lot more regarding the historic times referred to, but this is not the forum for same. Suffice to say that during his time as Lord Protector, the Realm prospered worldwide, other Nations revered and respected him, potential enemy nations feared him, schools and universities of that day and age thrived, and he was known to be a fair and honourable man who loved Justice for the ordinary man.

Obviously, for purposes of this article I am outlining a thumbnail sketch of the centre period of those days, pertinent to the comparison with the UK as it begins the negotiations to exit the EU.

The sign of a good and honourable person is someone who accepts a democratic vote regardless of outcome, as many of us did in 1972 when we lost the original vote to stay out of Europe, but did not protest and become distraught or emotional, we just got on with our lives.

Today, sadly, apart from two political Parties, everyone else, with schemers here and there, keep on relentlessly trying to subvert the rights of the majority voter in the UK.

What will we do when we leave the EU, etc, etc. The catch-all answer is, we will do what we did before the original vote in 1972.

As in the days of 17th Century, like countless others today, I too believe the UK will prosper in every aspect both in domestic terms and worldwide, in academic areas, science and technology, world trading and especially with the Commonwealth, as also did Oliver Cromwell in the 17th Century.

Lastly, it was a bit rich to hear one political leader saying that the Prime Minister has embarrassed us in front of the countries of the EU, which will hinder getting a good deal. Self indictment being out of the mouth of that person, in that if they had been grown up enough to accept they had lost the vote, then supported the Prime Minister after the Brexit vote last year, the EU would realise whatever our political differences, the UK people spoke with one strong unified voice.

So despite the embarrassment of those who wish to scupper democracy within the UK, they have inadvertently hindered their own cause, as if Mrs May is re-elected Prime Minister, then she knows only too well that the majority democratic voter who wanted to Leave the EU will back whatever she does.

Britain is called ‘Great’ for a reason, and one only has to read our wonderful history to see why. Thank God they were people of principle, values and intestinal fortitude.

Also remember what happened during the 17th Century regarding unrest becoming a Civil War – for those who continue to manipulate in divisive ways, yours will be the responsibility if strife is the consequence of undermining a free democratic vote in what should now be a ‘United Kingdom’.

Hazel Speed

Photo (c) Hazel Speed – used by kind permision to Tuck Magazine

Hazel Speed is a Philosopher, Writer, and Artist with various creative projects at differing stages of development. Her flaship project is an animation which has produced a film short: www.thepinkprofessor.com. She has also written an E-novel, ‘Just Suppose…!‘ which is available via the attached link.

Art sites: www.candystoreart.com, www.terrificart.com, www.artbadges.co.uk.