A week of beginnings and the return of a classic TV show
In what looks set to be one of the busiest periods in British politics, the week begins as it means to go on, with long-awaited Brexit talks due to start today. Yes: the epoch-defining ‘moment of truth’ is finally here. It is a turning point in our history and one arguably even more fraught than that started by Edward Heath almost 46 years ago to the day (June 21), which is when the UK began talks to join what was then the European Economic Community (EEC).
It’s worth noting that Britain had made two previous attempts to join the economic bloc, only to be thwarted by France. The UK joined the EEC officially in January 1973, when Prime Minister Heath said: “We believe our people will be more prosperous, our economy and our industries stronger as a result of joining the EEC.”
Brexit remains as uncertain a thing as it ever was. In fact, the only certainty will be a frenzy of newspaper and TV bulletin headlines as the world’s press follows events. Incidentally, Friday marks a year since the historic referendum vote which kickstarted the process.
That leads us nicely onto the Queen’s Speech, which is expected to be delivered (assuming there are no more hiccups) on Wednesday and presumably the ink on the vellum, which is traditionally used to inscribe the proclamation and which was last week wheeled out as one possible excuse for its initial delay, will have dried by then. The House of Commons will be transformed into a veritable theatre on Wednesday, so expect histrionics, hyperbole and, well, history in the making.
Wednesday also marks Prince William’s 35th birthday.
Tomorrow sees the start of Royal Ascot, Britain’s most valuable race meeting, which attracts many of the world’s finest racehorses to compete for more than £6.5m in prize money. The Queen has attended every Royal meeting during her reign and this year will be no different, even though she will be due at the Palace of Westminster for the opening of Parliament in the morning. Her Majesty will attend the second day of the festival in the afternoon. She last had to attend both ceremonies on the same day in 2001, arriving in time for the first race. In 2013, her horse, Estimate, triumphed in the Gold Cup.
This week also marks the fifth anniversary of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange entering the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. Mr Assange claimed asylum in the embassy while on bail for alleged sex offences, which have since been dropped by prosecutors in Sweden. However, he is still wanted for a breach of bail in the UK and the US wants to extradite him for publishing classified information. there’s also the Glastonbury Festival to contend with. The music extravaganza at Pilton Farm, Somerset, will run from June 21 to June 25. Ed Sheeran, Foo Fighters and Radiohead are headlining the event.
A new series of begins on Friday with new host Richard Ayoade. Channel 4 is hoping its revival of the 1990s live escape game will be a hit among modern viewers. Certainly, there was no shortage of people wanting to be on the show – producers received more than 30,000 applications. There will be 20 episodes, with 41 teams battling their way through a purpose-built 32,500sq ft course created by original maze designer James Dillon.