As MPs continue to battle over Brexit, the Queen has extolled the virtues “respecting different points of views” and “coming together to seek out the common ground”.
Her Majesty returned to the theme of her Christmas Day message in a speech to mark the centenary of the Sandringham Women’s Institute, of which she is president.
Conservative Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg this week claimed the government should suspend parliament if a cross-party group of MPs are successful in their bid to introduce legislation to make a “no-deal” Brexit impossible.
Mr Rees-Mogg suggested the prime minister could ask the Queen to “prorogue” parliament – to bring an end to its current session – which would likely see any pending legislation that had not yet been passed into law then expire.
The monarch attends a meeting of the her local Women’s Institute once a year at West Newton village hall as part of her winter stay on her Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
In what will be viewed as a veiled reference to the ongoing debate over the UK’s departure from the EU, the Queen said: “Reflecting on a century of change, it is clear that the qualities of the WI endure.
“The continued emphasis on patience, friendship, a strong community focus, and considering the needs of others, are as important today as they were when the group was founded all those years ago.
“Of course, every generation faces fresh challenges and opportunities.
“As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture.