The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, quoted a couple of words from the poet Philip Larkin in his speech at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet on Monday night. Sir Keir said: “My Lord Mayor. We have so much to be proud of in this country. When it comes to our role in the world today, I want to recapture that sense of pride. To stand tall once again. To meet people’s concerns not with easy answers, which don’t serve anyone, but with leadership. To face up to the world as it is. Shape it in our interests and deliver more growth, more security and stronger alliances.

“I recall Philip Larkin’s words about Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth – that she represented a “constant good” – a strong, still point in a changing world. 

“I recall it because I think it also reflects Britain and the nation’s role today. To be a constant and responsible actor in turbulent times. To be the soundest ally and to be determined – always – in everything we do. Every exchange we have with other nations, every agreement we enter into to deliver for the British people and show – beyond doubt – that Britain is back.”

Larkin, known for his right-wing views, particularly later in his life, wrote these words to mark the Queen’s silver jubilee in 1977 when he believed that Britain was going, or had gone, to the dogs:

“In times when nothing stood / but worsened, or grew strange / there was one constant good: / she did not change.”

This quatrain was written in response to a request by Charles Monteith on behalf of the Queen Square Garden in London, and engraved on a stone near Larkin’s publisher Faber’s offices to commemorate the jubilee. When he sent Monteith the quatrain, Larkin said he was “no good at this lapidary lark”, according to his biographer Andrew Motion.