Kmflett's Blog

30th January 1649. A day missing from much of British history

On 30th January 1649 after a trial King Charles 1st was executed by Parliamentary forces in Whitehall.  A Commonwealth was proclaimed under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell. It lasted until 1660 when the monarchy was restored. It was in essence the world’s first ever Parliamentary democracy, albeit of a very limited kind. When Charles 11 took the throne he dated his reign from 30th January 1649 thereby attempting to write the Commonwealth out of history.

The event is remembered and remains controversial to this day. Cromwell in Ireland and Scotland was very far from a democratic force but his role in ushering the system of Government we have today is not officially celebrated, as it certainly would be for example in France.

Don’t expect the Culture Warriors who frequently tell us that all bits of British history must be recalled to have anything to say either.

 I wrote the Fletter below to the Guardian four years ago. Since then a new King Charles has appeared!

Martin Kettle is right, that while Britain remains a constitutional monarchy, it is absurd that the crown can’t be discussed in parliament. No doubt that means 30 January, the day in 1649 when Westminster saw the world’s first parliamentary democracy instituted, will pass without note in the Commons. Another bit of history Boris Johnson probably prefers not to remember.

Keith Flett

Tottenham, London

Guardian 29th January 2022