THE QUEEN AND THE COMMONWEALTH: AN UNRIVALLED FORCE FOR UNITY
When, in 1949, the first eight members of the Commonwealth signed the London Declaration, they agreed that the British monarch would be “the symbol of the free association of its independent member nations, and as such the Head of the Commonwealth”. This moment marked the creation of a totally new model for a family of nations, one that HM The Queen emphasized in her speech on her accession: “The Commonwealth bears no relation to the empires of the past. It is an entirely new conception built on the highest qualities of the spirit of man: friendship, loyalty and the desire for freedom and peace.” It is my hope that it will remain so. During the 60 years of her reign so far, the Queen
communications technology, Her Majesty is also able to send a personal message to Commonwealth citizens on both Commonwealth Day and Christmas Day. She has always ensured that her role remains
has been a passionate and untiring ambassador for the Commonwealth and its underpinning values of development, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Over those years, its membership has expanded to include even Francophone and Lusophone countries. Seemingly this free association continues to hold attractions. Regardless of domestic constitutional arrangements, member states old and new have wholeheartedly embraced Her Majesty’s position as the symbolic head of the association. This role has been without precedent in the history of international
Rt Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst, MP Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee
symbolic: the Head of the Commonwealth, which embraces countries with a wide variety of constitutional arrangements, must necessarily be apolitical. Whilst it would be contrary to the spirit of the Commonwealth for its Head ever to interfere in the machinery of government, Her Majesty’s long experience must have been a valuable resource into which Heads of Government from time to time may have found it helpful to tap. She has always demonstrated equal regard and respect for every member of the Commonwealth family. At this Diamond Jubilee milestone in the Queen’s long
career of public service, I join every Commonwealth citizen in wishing Her Majesty many more happy and productive years of service to the whole Commonwealth.
However, thoughts will doubtless turn to the future. There will naturally be debate about how the next Head of the Commonwealth should be chosen. No automatic line of succession has been established. This will be determined in due course by Heads of Government. It is proper that there should be extensive consultation. Many
associations. One of Her Majesty’s most notable and, it is to be hoped, most enduring legacies has been to mould it in accordance with the ever- developing nature of the Commonwealth. Her Majesty has travelled extensively within the Commonwealth. Her
visits have helped to emphasize the unifying links between countries of diverse traditions and culture. The Queen keeps in close touch with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, attends each biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and celebrates Commonwealth Day annually at Westminster Abbey in London. With the developments in
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arguments will be canvassed. They may well extend to consideration of the purpose and goals of this remarkable company of nations, a discussion which has already been sparked by the 2011 report by the Eminent Persons Group. Yet it is surely to be hoped that the past will inform the future. Her Majesty has defined the role. The Head of the Commonwealth is above all a symbolic figure, not an executive. The job description precludes political ambition. Whatever conclusion is reached the person who follows Her Majesty will face a formidable task to discharge those duties with as much dignity, commitment and diligence as she has unfailingly shown over the last 60 years. The bar has been set very high.