The Yew of Liberty

Today is the anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta. It was signed just up the road from where I live and I visit the spot at least once a year. What is little known is that the location was chosen by the barons because of its special nature. At Runnymede near the Thames was the oldest known living thing in England – a yew tree – know as the Ankerwycke Yew.

It was a sense that the ancient liberties had been usurped by the central power – a recurring theme throughout our history – and that there was no better place than Runnymede to redress those grievances.

For me the central article of the Magna Carta is number 29 and it says: no man shall be taken or imprisoned but by lawful judgment of his peers.

In my view we should always remember that good policy is built on debate and consensus not demonisation and coercion. Whether it be 42 days or 4×4s.

There are many faiths and philosophies that offer “do unto others as you would have others do unto you”. I would not go that far. I would suggest just “do not do unto others what you would not have others do unto you”.

It is more difficult but more just and longer lasting.