On behalf of the Liberal Democrat local government family, I offer our condolences to His Majesty King Charles III and the Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Watching how our sector pulled together at short notice to organise books of condolence, commemoration services, proclamations and public screenings of the Queen’s funeral is typical of how local government often leads by example, much like our late Queen.
Her Majesty knew full well the sacrifices that so many in local government make to better their area and that often this comes without the deserved credit.
“Her Majesty knew the sacrifices that so many in local government make to better their area”
This was clear to me when I met her in 2014. I was presented to the Queen and introduced to her as a local councillor and mayor of my town at the age of 20.
She quipped: “Good grief, why on earth would you want to do that?”
As well as demonstrating that dry sense of humour we’ve heard so much about in recent weeks, it was also an acknowledgement of how challenging being in public service can be.
Most of us go into local government to serve our community, give something back and improve our area and, whether you are a monarchist or a republican, the Queen’s sense of duty and service was a shining example to all of us in public service.
People have already started using ‘Elizabeth the Great’ to describe her – a title not forged by conquest or battle but by public service.