The Queen urged people to respect « different points of view » and called for Britons to find a “common ground” amid Brexit divisions. Her remarks came in a speech reported by Britain’s Press Association, which she delivered at the Women’s Institute in Sandringham on Thursday. The Queen Elizabeth II was speaking at an event to mark the 100 years of Sandringham Women’s Institute in Norfolk as she used to make an annual visit to its members. She asked Britons to put the « [a] continued emphasis on patience, friendship”. Some commentators say the remarks are referred to the Brexit debate, with MPs due to vote on the PM’s deal for leaving the EU again next week. A BBC royal correspondent notably said that there was little doubt the Queen wanted to « send a message ». Indeed, the Queen’s remarks come as Prime Minister Theresa May is due to return to the House of Commons with her revised plan for Brexit on 29th January, after her deal was rejected by MPs in a historic defeat on 15th January. Nonetheless, The Queen, as head of state, remains neutral on political matters and does not usually express her views on contentious issues.
Adeline SILVA PEREIRA
For further information:
BBC.com:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-46996180
CNN.com:
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/25/uk/queen-brexit-speech-common-ground-gbr-intl/index.html
