Deaths to think about
Death is not the end. This is the hymn used since 1981 by the Spanish Armed Forces to honour the fallen. Composed by the priest Cesáreo Gabarán Azurmendi, the lyrics say that when sadness reaches us for a lost comrade, when the sorrowful farewell seeks its hope in Faith... The death of Queen Elizabeth II of England is felt by most British citizens as the loss of a figure who managed to consolidate the Monarchy in the United Kingdom, overcoming crises as serious as the death of Lady Di and demonstrating the character and strength of a woman with the personality and convictions to make herself respected in a world controlled by men.
In her institutional role as 'queen but not ruler', as in Spain, she maintained a neutrality that was highly valued by all, although in key sectors of British society there was a lack of greater involvement, albeit through indirect channels, to avoid the Brexit disaster. The results achieved after the disastrous irruption of populism into power demonstrate the need to recover the seriousness, rigour, principles and convictions that allow the tabloids, which cause so much damage, to return to a more than secondary position and prevent the creepy salesmen from returning to the British government.
This need extends to the whole world. The death of Elizabeth II forces us to reflect on the immediate future of a kingdom that may no longer be so united, among other things because of Brexit. This is the case of Scotland, Northern Ireland and some countries tempted to abandon the discipline of the Commonwealth, even if their economic and commercial ties are very strong. The Queen died in Scotland, her grandchildren are taking a break and greeting the citizens together with their partners, the new King and Queen consort are also approaching the people gathered outside Buckingham Palace to work for the popular support they need more than ever at this time of transition. The United Kingdom has changed its head of state and government in a week, with a Prime Minister heavily conditioned by the international scene, the economic and energy crisis and a great need to regain political credibility. A good, genuine and profound reflection is essential, driven by the embargo that provokes death. In the United States, for yet another year, the names of the more than 3,000 dead from the 9/11 attacks were read out in public, in Ukraine the sacrifice of lives allows for resistance, while Putin is beginning to take its toll. Death forces us to reflect, especially when it touches us closely.
