To think the UK has suddenly got a lot more dull??

[ILivebytheRiver]

King Charles is such a different prospect from Queen Elizabeth II. He lacks her Gravitas, her iconic image and will not be the fascinating draw to tourists that the Queen was.

And then Liz Truss. I just wish she was less like an automaton. Her speech yesterday lacked any humanity or eloquence. It didn't even feel stateswoman-like. She was the Prime Minister that got to utter those incredibly historic words "Long live the King' and she delivered them like she was delivering a statement about VAT. I dislike many things about Kier Starmer but at least his statement had some sense of genuine warmth and empathy.

A week ago it was flamboyant Boris (yes, I know he was an arse) and Lizzie on the throne. Great Britain PLC is a decidedly more dull entity now.

I'll take dull over the last 6 clusterfuck years we've had.

But I wouldn't worry, the next few years won't be dull. Especially this winter.

I’d much rather our politicians were dull and got on with their job rather than being ‘flamboyant’. The current preference for a big personality ala Trump or Johnson is one I’ll be happy to see the end of.

Absolutely this.

Dull and competent is what I want. I doubt either Liz Truss or Charles will live up to my hopes.

Thank goodness it wasn't Boris delivering a speech outside no 10 yesterday.

It would be even more dull if we abolished the monarchy. Who would we talk about then?!

Ok Carrie.

I actually thought his statement yesterday was spot on. He’s a knob but he can write well.

It will take getting used to, I don't know much about the new pm I thought her speech was actually fine and it least it wasn't Boris Johnson blustering his way through it he would mention the war and Churchill at least twice !

Dull? Yes please. Can I order some more dull?

I'm all done with interesting pandemics, interesting wars making interesting inflationary figures, and interesting politicians doing interesting things with the constitution. I'd love a bit of boring.

My fantasy line-up would be William as King and Rory Stewart as PM. And I agree, Winters coming and the pomp and ceremony of the following weeks/months will be in sharp contrast to the frugality the vast majority of the UK will be experiencing. I think we need to honour the passing of Elizabeth with the usual pomp and ceremony but its a shame it's going to be against a backdrop of economic chaos and downturn.

Yeh I’m fine with dull if it means some boring normalcy

I don’t need flamboyant speeches from PMs and all that Johnson drama in the media for months

Talk about VAT and tax all they like - plus energy security

I don’t need these people taking up so much airtime with flamboyance. Not that the Queen did

Exactly this!

I don't think anyone is really caring about dull right now. We are in mourning.

Boris hasn't gone anywhere and paid HM an incredibly well written tribute
Camilla will be the most beautiful Queen Consort.

We have a nation full of wonderful sparkly people in all their forms.
The UK is a lot of things, but dull is most definitely not one of them! Sometimes people wish it was, just for a break.

IMAGINE! The death of the UK's longest-reigning monarch and the PM's speech completely failed to reference tank-topped bum boys, letterboxes, watermelon smiles, verminous Scots, or Peppa Pig! Shame.

Ditto. There’s a well known Chinese saying “May you live in interesting times” and it’s not a blessing!

I didn’t know the origin but I have thought this many times over last few years as a consolation

It's a curse but often mistaken as a positive. "May you live in interesting times" because "interesting times" are unstable, therefore less productive and more uncomfortable.

A person living in "dull" times has certainty. Certainty brings growth, profit, abundence. "Interesting" times bring poverty, disease and death.

Since my high-school boyfriend, I've outgrown thinking flaky and unreliable equals exciting, so I can't agree with you on seeing the back of Boris. I don't think that America has become less interesting since they got rid of Trump, just less ridiculous.

I think the reasons you dislike Liz Truss and Prince Charles are a little inconsistent though. Charles is a little more "Boris" than the Queen was and Liz Truss is a little more "queen" than Boris was.

I would hope that our artists, musicians, authors, scientists etc are what sets our reputation world wide. The people in charge are not supposed to bring excitement, that's where wars and legacies start.

I think you need to get a life.

I mean let's get the Queen buried before you start fantasising about her son dying eh

Ok everyone - I am unreasonable. Just for the record, I wasn't wishing our new Monarch dead. I was imagining the succession skipping him and going straight to William. I wish Charles a long, healthy and productive reign. I'm sure his image will become just as iconic over time once it's on our coins and stamps.

I'll no doubt get used to Liz Truss' delivery. It'll be a while before we see whether her leadership improves the lot of British Citizens or whether it is an improvement on Boris' reign. Let's hope so.

Apologies if I've offended anyone.

You really have deeply offended many of us, but credit to you for recognising this op and apologising.

This country has an amazing capacity to bounce back, to surprise, to reinvent.
So I think we are going to be just fine.
We will live with her legacy and wish for peace, for grace and she will live on in her children and family.

I agree he summed up the general mood and feeling of her passing perfectly.

Things would be a lot brighter if we got rid of the monarchy and the Tories. Awaiting to hear the eye watering cost if this lengthy lead up to the funeral followed by a coronation.

I'm not offended, I just don't agree. Nothing offensive about it unless you are scanning for drama.