UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie Johnson, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Home Secretary Priti Patel at St Paul's Cathedral, London, during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations on Friday. AP Photo
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie Johnson, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Home Secretary Priti Patel at St Paul's Cathedral, London, during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations on Friday. AP Photo
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie Johnson, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Home Secretary Priti Patel at St Paul's Cathedral, London, during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations on Friday. AP Photo
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his wife Carrie Johnson, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Home Secretary Priti Patel at St Paul's Cathedral, London, during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebr

Opinion

Comment

One British tradition will ensure Boris Johnson's term won't last

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Gavin Esler is an author and broadcaster, and a UK affairs columnist for The National

June 07, 2022

The British are an inventive nation. A long list of British inventions, which includes Tim Berners-Lee and the World Wide Web, stretches back to Isaac Newton and the reflecting telescope in 1668.

There are also less familiar inventions. Joseph Addison created the world’s first mass-produced toothbrush in the 1770s and his brand, Wisdom, still exists today. There’s also the seed drill, the steam engine, the jet engine and cats eyes to show the boundaries of road lanes.

However, our greatest but unnoticed invention is the invention of tradition itself. We have been inventing traditions for years. We then pretend that things have "always been done this way". They haven’t.

In 1969, there was a glorious televised ceremony at Caernarfon Castle in Wales, the investiture of the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, who is next in line to succeed Queen Elizabeth II. The ceremony appeared to have been handed down for centuries. The first "Prince of Wales" was created in 1301 (in Lincoln, in England) but the ceremony of "investiture" at Caernarfon Castle was really invented in 1911, and re-invented in 1969 for television.

Televised ceremonies are now at the heart of British invented traditions including this month’s platinum jubilee. Queen Elizabeth has led the UK through 70 years of change from the Second World War and the end of empire into whatever future post-Brexit Britain may have for itself.

What is Britain’s 'true state' in 2022? Discontented with our political leaders, it seems

But here’s another very different British tradition: big royal celebrations were once regarded with suspicion.

At the zenith of British power in the 19th century, the funerals of national military heroes – Admiral Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington – were marked with more public outpourings and parades than royal events, but these showy parades were not much liked. Here’s the Illustrated London News in 1852 on the Duke of Wellington’s state funeral: "The English are said to be a people who do not understand shows and celebrations, or the proper mode of conducting them… unlike the French and other nations of the continent they have no real taste for ceremonial."

By the 1860s and the peak of empire, Robert Cecil, the future prime minister, watched Victoria, the then queen, opening Parliament. He recorded: "Some nations have a gift for ceremonial … in England the case is exactly the reverse. We can afford to be more splendid than most nations; but some malignant spell broods over all our most solemn ceremonials and inserts into them some feature which makes them all ridiculous … something always breaks down, somebody always contrives to avoid doing his part … to interfere and ruin it all."

In 1820, after the defeat of Napoleon, one critical account, The Black Book, was even more dismissive: "Pageantry and show, the parade of crowns and coronets, of gold keys, sticks, white wands and black rods ... are ridiculous when men become enlightened, when they have learned that the real object of government is to confer the greatest happiness of the people at the least expense."

During the platinum jubilee last weekend, the "greatest happiness of the people at the least expense" was mostly in modest street parties, including the one I attended with my neighbours. The historian David Cannadine noted the importance of such rituals and traditions by suggesting that as British hard power waned so the British public’s pride in the soft power associated with the royal family and in its traditions actually increased. Mr Cannadine quoted an unnamed commentator from 1970, saying of the British and Queen Elizabeth: “While people can see the gloved hand waving from the golden coach, they feel assured that all is well with the nation, whatever its true state."

Spectators watch the RAF flypast on The Mall after the Trooping the Colour parade in London, England. Getty Images
Spectators watch the RAF flypast on The Mall after the Trooping the Colour parade in London, England. Getty Images
A rider near Kosovo's coal-fired power plant near the town of Obilic. Two coal-fired power plants are the main source of the alarming air pollution levels in Kosovo, and particularly in the town of Obilic, which is between the two plants and near to their ash disposal sites and open-pit lignite mines. AFP
A rider near Kosovo's coal-fired power plant near the town of Obilic. Two coal-fired power plants are the main source of the alarming air pollution levels in Kosovo, and particularly in the town of Obilic, which is between the two plants and near to their ash disposal sites and open-pit lignite mines. AFP
A baby albino Galapagos giant tortoise next to another baby and an adult tortoise in the tropiquarium in Servion, Switzerland. EPA
A baby albino Galapagos giant tortoise next to another baby and an adult tortoise in the tropiquarium in Servion, Switzerland. EPA
Spain's Rafael Nadal during a break against Serbia's Novak Djokovic during their men's quarter-final at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris. AFP
Spain's Rafael Nadal during a break against Serbia's Novak Djokovic during their men's quarter-final at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris. AFP
Francis Mwangi, 13, uses a virtual reality headset in Nyeri, Kenya, to 'visit' Buckingham Palace during platinum jubilee celebrations for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. Reuters
Francis Mwangi, 13, uses a virtual reality headset in Nyeri, Kenya, to 'visit' Buckingham Palace during platinum jubilee celebrations for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. Reuters
Members of Korean pop band BTS join Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, during a news conference at the White House in Washington DC. BTS will meet US President Joe Biden to address anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination. Bloomberg
Members of Korean pop band BTS join Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, during a news conference at the White House in Washington DC. BTS will meet US President Joe Biden to address anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination. Bloomberg
Turkish Air Force fighter jets, the Turkish Stars, perform during the opening ceremony for the aerospace and technology festival Teknofest Azerbaijan at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku. AFP
Turkish Air Force fighter jets, the Turkish Stars, perform during the opening ceremony for the aerospace and technology festival Teknofest Azerbaijan at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku. AFP
Displaced children during a dust storm on the outskirts of the rebel-held town of Dana, in the north-west Idlib province near the Turkish-Syrian border. AFP
Displaced children during a dust storm on the outskirts of the rebel-held town of Dana, in the north-west Idlib province near the Turkish-Syrian border. AFP
People pour milk into the eyes of a woman affected by tear gas as protesters clash with police while commemorating the ninth anniversary of the Gezi Park protests in Istanbul in 2013. Reuters
People pour milk into the eyes of a woman affected by tear gas as protesters clash with police while commemorating the ninth anniversary of the Gezi Park protests in Istanbul in 2013. Reuters
Afghan boys play cricket at a cemetery in Kabul, Afghanistan. Cemeteries in the capital are incorporated casually into Afghans' lives. They provide open spaces where children play and adults hang out, smoking, talking and joking, because there are few public parks. AP Photo
Afghan boys play cricket at a cemetery in Kabul, Afghanistan. Cemeteries in the capital are incorporated casually into Afghans' lives. They provide open spaces where children play and adults hang out, smoking, talking and joking, because there are few public parks. AP Photo
Kirsten Tiffany Santos, 11, from Richmond, Texas, during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Maryland. AP Photo
Kirsten Tiffany Santos, 11, from Richmond, Texas, during the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Oxon Hill, Maryland. AP Photo
The Israeli army blows up the family house of Diaa Armashah in the village of Yabad, near the occupied West Bank town of Jenin. Palestinian Armashah in March killed five people in a gun attack in Bnei Brak, an Orthodox Jewish city near Tel Aviv. AFP
The Israeli army blows up the family house of Diaa Armashah in the village of Yabad, near the occupied West Bank town of Jenin. Palestinian Armashah in March killed five people in a gun attack in Bnei Brak, an Orthodox Jewish city near Tel Aviv. AFP
A poppy flower in front of a destroyed residential building in Mariupol, Ukraine. AFP
A poppy flower in front of a destroyed residential building in Mariupol, Ukraine. AFP
Hygrow hydroponic farm in Sharjah, which has teamed up with Hilton hotels to provide lettuce, herbs and other greens to hotels using vertical farming techniques. Antonie Robertson / The National
Hygrow hydroponic farm in Sharjah, which has teamed up with Hilton hotels to provide lettuce, herbs and other greens to hotels using vertical farming techniques. Antonie Robertson / The National
Members of the KNDF during a training session for female special forces members and women battalions at their base camp in the forest near Demoso in Myanmar's eastern Kayah state. AFP
Members of the KNDF during a training session for female special forces members and women battalions at their base camp in the forest near Demoso in Myanmar's eastern Kayah state. AFP
South Korean actor Song Kang-ho, right, who won Best Actor Prize for his part in 'Broker' at the 75th Cannes Film Festival, prepares to address a press conference for the film in Seoul. AFP
South Korean actor Song Kang-ho, right, who won Best Actor Prize for his part in 'Broker' at the 75th Cannes Film Festival, prepares to address a press conference for the film in Seoul. AFP
The opening of a skatepark, a first in Libya, in the capital Tripoli. The playground, was financed by the US embassy in Tripoli and built by the Make Life Skate Life NGO with contributions from volunteers all over the world. AFP
The opening of a skatepark, a first in Libya, in the capital Tripoli. The playground, was financed by the US embassy in Tripoli and built by the Make Life Skate Life NGO with contributions from volunteers all over the world. AFP
South Korean Marines before setting sail on an amphibious assault ship, the 'Marado', from Jeju Island, South Korea. South Korea's Navy is sending the 14,500-tonne warship to the Rim of the Pacific Exercise, a US-led biennial multinational maritime exercise expected to run until early August in waters off Hawaii. EPA
South Korean Marines before setting sail on an amphibious assault ship, the 'Marado', from Jeju Island, South Korea. South Korea's Navy is sending the 14,500-tonne warship to the Rim of the Pacific Exercise, a US-led biennial multinational maritime exercise expected to run until early August in waters off Hawaii. EPA
Boys jumping off and swimming by an old wreck in the Shatt al-Arab waterway at the confluence of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, in Iraq's southern city of Basra. AFP
Boys jumping off and swimming by an old wreck in the Shatt al-Arab waterway at the confluence of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, in Iraq's southern city of Basra. AFP
Circumpolar stars photgraphed from La Lora wasteland in Cantabria, Spain. EPA
Circumpolar stars photgraphed from La Lora wasteland in Cantabria, Spain. EPA
Members of the US Army Golden Knights parachute team jumping at the Hyundai Air & Sea Show during the Memorial Day weekend in Miami Beach, Florida. EPA
Members of the US Army Golden Knights parachute team jumping at the Hyundai Air & Sea Show during the Memorial Day weekend in Miami Beach, Florida. EPA
Muslim students at a ceremony during a visit by members of the Nottinghamshire Band of the Royal Engineers to a boarding school in Jakarta to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee. AFP
Muslim students at a ceremony during a visit by members of the Nottinghamshire Band of the Royal Engineers to a boarding school in Jakarta to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee. AFP
Bilal Ibrahim of the UAE celebrates beating Vadim Karabeinikov of Kazakhstan during the IFMA Muaythai World Championships at Adnec in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Bilal Ibrahim of the UAE celebrates beating Vadim Karabeinikov of Kazakhstan during the IFMA Muaythai World Championships at Adnec in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Monaco's Formula One driver Charles Leclerc of Scuderia Ferrari during the third practice session for the Formula One Grand Prix of Monaco in Monte Carlo, Monaco on May 29, 2022 EPA
Monaco's Formula One driver Charles Leclerc of Scuderia Ferrari during the third practice session for the Formula One Grand Prix of Monaco in Monte Carlo, Monaco on May 29, 2022 EPA
French riot police in front of Liverpool supporters at the end of the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris. Real Madrid won 1-0. EPA
French riot police in front of Liverpool supporters at the end of the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris. Real Madrid won 1-0. EPA
The US Air Force Honour Guard drill team performs in Ocean Drive during the Memorial Day weekend in Miami Beach, Florida. EPA
The US Air Force Honour Guard drill team performs in Ocean Drive during the Memorial Day weekend in Miami Beach, Florida. EPA
People visit the memorial site in Uvalde town square after the mass shooting at the Robb Elementary School in the Texas town. Nineteen children and two adults were killed in the shooting on May 14. The gunman, 18, was killed by responding officers. EPA
People visit the memorial site in Uvalde town square after the mass shooting at the Robb Elementary School in the Texas town. Nineteen children and two adults were killed in the shooting on May 14. The gunman, 18, was killed by responding officers. EPA
An Israeli border guard sprays pepper gas in the face of a Palestinian protester during scuffles in the West Bank town of Hauwara. AFP
An Israeli border guard sprays pepper gas in the face of a Palestinian protester during scuffles in the West Bank town of Hauwara. AFP
Horse rescuer Yasmin Sayyed depends on support from sponsors and donors for the animals under her care. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Horse rescuer Yasmin Sayyed depends on support from sponsors and donors for the animals under her care. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Daria Kasatkina of Russia serves to Iga Swiatek of Poland in their women's semi-final match at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris. EPA
Daria Kasatkina of Russia serves to Iga Swiatek of Poland in their women's semi-final match at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris. EPA

But what is the British nation’s "true state" in 2022? Discontented with our political leaders, rebellious and very uneasy, it seems.

At an event at Westminster Abbey, a large crowd of flag-waving, red-white-and-blue patriotic Britons celebrated Queen Elizabeth. But when Prime Minister Boris Johnson turned up, he was loudly booed. This is a new and surprising "tradition" on a solemn state occasion. It has serious consequences. Once the royal bunting was taken down, Mr Johnson's own MPs contemplated their serious loss of trust in the Prime Minister. They engaged in another British tradition – secretive and ruthless backstairs political plotting.

On Monday, Mr Johnson narrowly survived a vote of no-confidence. But he is still doomed because more than 40 per cent of his own MPs have clearly demonstrated they have no confidence in him. Getting rid of a leader can take weeks or even months but it will happen. Britain will soon have its fifth prime minister since 2010, in a nation that used to pride itself on a tradition of political stability.

For seven decades, Queen Elizabeth has been an island of solidity in a sea of political chaos. There are more rough seas ahead, and Mr Johnson will not for long be captain of the ship. His Conservative friends are generally polite, well-dressed folk, but their tradition is one of utter ruthlessness. When a leader is seen to fail, the Conservative tradition is that of a mutinous pirate crew. They are preparing to throw the captain overboard.

The sharks are waiting, and they are hungry.

England World Cup squad

Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Graduated from the American University of Sharjah

She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters

Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks

Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding

 

Pad Man

Dir: R Balki

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte

Three-and-a-half stars

Palestine and Israel - live updates
The biog

Place of birth: Kalba

Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren

Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken

Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah

Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”

While you're here
Countries offering golden visas

UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.

Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.

Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.

Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.

Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence. 

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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While you're here
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

On Women's Day
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20specs
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The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Scoreline

Abu Dhabi Harlequins 17

Jebel Ali Dragons 20

Harlequins Tries: Kinivilliame, Stevenson; Cons: Stevenson 2; Pen: Stevenson

Dragons Tries: Naisau, Fourie; Cons: Love 2; Pens: Love 2

Bawaal%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nitesh%20Tiwari%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Varun%20Dhawan%2C%20Janhvi%20Kapoor%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE rugby in numbers

5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons

700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams

Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams

Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season

Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

Read more about the coronavirus
The five pillars of Islam
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

The%20trailblazers
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
War and the virus
Smart words at Make Smart Cool

Make Smart Cool is not your usual festival. Dubbed “edutainment” by organisers Najahi Events, Make Smart Cool aims to inspire its youthful target audience through a mix of interactive presentation by social media influencers and a concert finale featuring Example with DJ Wire. Here are some of the speakers sharing their inspiration and experiences on the night.
Prince Ea
With his social media videos accumulating more half a billion views, the American motivational speaker is hot on the college circuit in the US, with talks that focus on the many ways to generate passion and motivation when it comes to learning.
Khalid Al Ameri
The Emirati columnist and presenter is much loved by local youth, with writings and presentations about education, entrepreneurship and family balance. His lectures on career and personal development are sought after by the education and business sector.
Ben Ouattara
Born to an Ivorian father and German mother, the Dubai-based fitness instructor and motivational speaker is all about conquering fears and insecurities. His talk focuses on the need to gain emotional and physical fitness when facing life’s challenges. As well managing his film production company, Ouattara is one of the official ambassadors of Dubai Expo2020.

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo

Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic

Power: 242bhp

Torque: 370Nm

Price: Dh136,814

Remaining fixtures

Third-place-play-off: Portugal v Mexico, 4pm on Sunday

Final: Chile v Germany, 10pm on Sunday

On Women's Day
Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Jewel of the Expo 2020

252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome

13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas

550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome

724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses

Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa

Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site

The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants

Al Wasl means connection in Arabic

World’s largest 360-degree projection surface

Updated: June 07, 2022, 6:13 PM`