This month marks an extraordinary milestone as Her Majesty the Queen becomes the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. 

Her historic reign has taken us from the aftermath of world war and the loss of empire through joining and leaving the EU, the challenges of COVID to modern Britain. There is an ever dwindling number of people who can remember a time when our nation was not anchored by her reassuring presence on the throne. The Jubilee will be an opportunity for us to give thanks for seven decades of selfless service. I’m sure we all agree that Her Majesty deserves a celebration to remember.   

During my time as Culture Secretary I was closely involved with the initial planning of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The full programme of events to take place throughout the year was unveiled last month. The main celebration will be a special four-day Bank Holiday weekend in June, when the whole nation will come together for an extensive programme of events, including a special Platinum Party at the Palace and a Platinum Jubilee Pageant. A special commemorative medal will also be awarded to serving frontline public servants. 

As with previous celebrations, though, the thing I’m most looking forward to is communities here in Hertsmere coming together to celebrate and give thanks, whether it’s with street parties, parades or just watching it unfold on TV. When the children of today are the grandparents of the late 21st century, I’m sure it is those local events that they will recall with affection as families and communities came together. It is that thread of continuity that helps define us as a nation and which her Majesty has come to embody over the decades. So here’s to a year to remember for many years to come.