YP Comment: Long may she reign over us. Historic day for Her Majesty

Yet even against such a backdrop, her Sapphire Jubilee today, marking 65 years since she came to the throne, stands out as an occasion deserving of particular rejoicing, when the nation should give thanks for all the Queen has done and continues to do for her people.

No British sovereign has ever reigned for such an extraordinary length of time, and it is possible that we shall never celebrate such an anniversary in the future. We are witnessing a truly historic moment.

The importance of the continuity and stability that the Queen has symbolised over the past six-and-a-half decades cannot be overstated.

Whilst other countries, even those which are mature democracies, have suffered damaging upheavals, Britain has weathered turbulent periods with a composure that reflects the calm and steadying influence of a constitutional monarchy.

Socially, politically, economically and ethnically, the Britain of 2017 is a very different place to that of 1952, and that the evolution has taken place peacefully is in no small measure thanks to the Queen’s constancy and skill in adapting the monarchy to change.

She can take satisfaction today that the relationship between monarchy and people is the healthiest it has been for many decades, characterised by an unshakeable bond of mutual affection and respect.

And amid the congratulations that her people offer to the Queen, perhaps the happiest aspect is that this is a celebration of a continuing reign. In her 91st year, she remains in good health, and it is with gladness that the country looks forward to many more occasions to celebrate her in the years ahead.

Bill of health

HEALTH tourism is an unnecessary drain on hard-pressed NHS resources, and so the announcement by the Government of a crackdown on people from overseas who abuse the service is welcome.

It is unacceptable that £500m a year is being lost to the NHS in this way. This is an astronomical sum of money, and effectively depriving the service of it can only mean delays – and quite possibly suffering – to eligible patients receiving the treatment they need.

The measures announced by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt are both sensible and compassionate. Nobody in need of urgent care will be turned away, but those flying in for elective procedures such as hip replacement or cataract operations will be left in no doubt that they must pay.

By imposing a legal duty on health trusts to check on patients’ eligibility for free treatment, the Government is rightly putting the emphasis on addressing the problem at the point where the NHS is losing money.

Only the hospitals providing the treatment can establish with any accuracy if a patient should be paying. And by making it clear at the outset if a bill for treatment will be due, there is every chance of deterring at least a proportion of health tourists.

Nobody entitled to free treatment has anything to fear from these measures. Only those who would try to take advantage of the service’s world-class expertise and care will be affected, and the NHS deserves to be protected from having its precious resources wasted by them.

Technology innovators

THE technological breakthrough that has allowed Scarborough motor neurone disease sufferer Jason Liversidge to keep his Yorkshire accent is heart-warming and valuable.

Speech is a vital component of identity, and Mr Liversidge’s delight at being able to continue communicating in the accent that is part of him, rather than a computer-generated voice, is eloquent of how important such breakthroughs are for those living with debilitating illness.

Retaining as much normality as possible is extremely important to people with very serious conditions, and for a proud Yorkshireman this development has helped to do exactly that.

By preserving the accent that is a central part of Mr Liversidge’s identity and personality, the scientists responsible have not only done him an immensely good turn, but also his wife and children. Others will undoubtedly benefit from their breakthrough. That is warmly to be welcomed, and those responsible deserve congratulations for their imaginative achievement.