Guernsey Press

Islands find liberation through unity

IN PAST years there has been some annual debate about the value of Liberation Day.

Published

Why keep commemorating something that happened so far in the past, long before most of the islands’ populace was born?

Is it not time to move on?

Not this year.

The sense of crisis brought about by the coronavirus epidemic and the loss of freedom because of lockdown have added a poignancy to this year’s muted celebrations.

Islanders may not be able to take part in the church services, watch the cavalcade or see the fireworks but they have a better understanding of what it is to have their world turned upside down, to be powerless and to lose freedoms previously taken for granted.

There is also a greater sense of unity and thoughtfulness for our fellow islanders, reminiscent of those war years.

People are delivering food, picking up medicines and courteously stepping aside while waiting on narrow pathways to let others pass safely. They are calling family members and friends daily to make sure they know they are loved.

The Bailiwick has not become a utopia overnight but many petty divisions about politics and family grievances have been set aside in recognition of the value of co-operation.

Liberation Day is the culmination of that spirit of togetherness.

There is a justifiable pride in how well the island has reacted to adversity, pulling together to follow lockdown rules without unnecessary sniping at island leaders for doing a difficult job well.

It is not universal, of course. No democratic society should ever be that ‘on message’.

People will rightly have a view on how quickly to ease lockdown, how much to support businesses and whether it is right to borrow hundreds of millions of pounds.

But in the riot of flags and bunting, the doorstep clapping and the numerous inventive ways to raise funds online there is a palpable air of solidarity.

With it comes a valuable sense of security that the islands will find a way through this nightmare and can start the long and painful road to recovery.

In a frighteningly uncertain world, that is liberating.