The Olympic Torch Relay – a beacon of hope for the UK economy

In the midst of European financial meltdown and petty national party politics the chattering classes in the UK are focussed on the parlous state of the economy and the usual Westminster intrigue. In doing so, they are missing something incredibly significant that is going on every day in this country at the moment. I am not talking about Euro 2012 or the Leveson Enquiry; I am talking about the Olympic Torch Relay that is currently making its way around the UK ahead of the 2012 Olympics in July. 

Billed as 70 Days, 8,000 runners, 8,000 miles this meticulously organised journey around the whole country is far more than a means of conveying a flame to the Olympic Stadium in London for the opening ceremony. It is about what makes this country great and what gives me hope for the future, despite all the economic and political doom and gloom.

For anyone watching the live stream of the relay, and it does become addictive viewing so be warned, it not only provides an amazing social history of the UK in 2012 (I hope someone is using it to record this country at this point in its history for posterity), but it shows the wonderful community spirit that still exists in these islands. 

No matter what the weather, and this summer has been one of the wettest on record so far, thousands upon thousands of people have lined the streets to watch the torch pass through their communities. Flags have been waved, children have cheered, and people have smiled and felt a part of this event in a way that the doubters would never have believed. They may not all be supporters of the Olympics but they are supporters of their local towns and villages and have taken this opportunity to show that to the world.

There is a sense of pride in the air that I haven’t felt for some time. It has been helped by the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee of course, but the main driver is the Torch Relay which began on May 19^th and which has so far snaked its way around South West England, Wales, parts of North West England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, and is currently heading for my home town of Newcastle upon Tyne on its journey South. For some reason, this relay has struck a chord with the public who are quietly supporting it in huge numbers.

Credit must go to the organisers who have battled floods and mechanical breakdown to ensure that the timetable has largely been adhered to, to the police who have joined in the spirit of the occasion with such a light touch, and to the torch bearers who have evidently enjoyed their moment of recognition for good deeds well done. But the real stars of the show are the general public whose orderliness and enthusiasm has shone out brilliantly. It is these people who will ensure the future of this country, they just need a cause that means something to them. 

For us to emerge from our current economic problems it will take leadership that is relevant to the people who live in the villages and towns and cities of this country, not just to the self serving needs of politicians. It would be very sad in future years to look back on 2012 and see footage of this amazing torch relay and remember it only as a forerunner to the Olympic Games and not as the beacon that relit our ailing economy. I believe the opportunity to spark that recovery is there now and the people will flock to support it too.

Does anyone in a position of power and authority have the nous to recognise this opportunity, the intuition to know how to capitalise on it and the guts to actually make it happen? Only time will tell but I am not so sure.