The second programme in the series looks at the way in which a colourful collection of New Elizabethans have sought to come to terms with Britain’s decline as a world power since 1952, to project British values and influence abroad, and to ensure Britain’s ongoing relevance at a time when so much seems to be slipping away. How have we coped with the loss of empire, American cultural and political hegemony, and the rise of a consolidated European superstate? These are issues that the British have wrestled with since the Queen ascended the throne in 1952, and which continue to divide and occupy us to this day.
Andrew Marr explores how Britain – a highly militarised nation with a vast standing army and formidable navy in 1952 – saw her power and influence crumble. Britain emerged from the Second World War broke, vastly in debt to the United States, and with an empire that was vanishing fast. Over the next 50 years, we lost an empire and gained a commonwealth, we fought to maintain our position and influence as a nuclear power, even as our armed forces were decimated by cuts, and we saw our society transformed by immigration, from the workplace to the high street.
It is the story of how we replaced hard military power with soft cultural power. How the sun began to set on the British empire, casting a rapidly lengthening shadow. And how we struck an uneasy alliance with American influence, cherishing the special relationship whilst agonising over the Americanisation of British society and values. Likewise, the reign of Elizabeth II has seen an uneasy flirtation with Europe as we embraced the sights, sounds and tastes of the continent - from food and wine to cheap holidays in the sun - but remained critically divided over membership of the political and economic club.
New Elizabethans profiled include familiar figures like Earl Mountbatten of Burma, cookery writer Elizabeth David and singer and activist Bob Geldof, as well as less familiar figures like Colonel Colin ‘Mad Mitch’ Mitchell and pioneering peace campaigner Helen John. Show less