By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
Sir Keir Starmer had an early chance to make a favorable impression on fellow European leaders at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, where he is hosting approximately 50 leaders for the fourth European Political Community summit on Thursday.
The World Heritage Site, a significant draw for the town, has been closed since the weekend, with road closures expected to remain in place until Friday. However, just outside the cordon in Woodstock, close to the palace, the summit has received a mixed response. Geoffrey Naf, who runs Woodstock Butchers, estimates his trade has been reduced by about 50%.
"A lot of my regular customers from the surrounding villages can’t get in because of the road closures," he explained. "People have been asking me, 'Are we even opening on Thursday?'" He added, "I’m here, I’ve got work to do, and hopefully, I might make some sales, but I’m not very optimistic about today." Mark Harris, from Woodstock Grocers, anticipates a loss of between £500 and £1,000 due to the summit.
"People are scared to come into Woodstock," he said. "All the signs leading into Woodstock say to avoid the area, so what shoppers are going to come here? None," he noted. When asked if he is proud that the summit is being held in Oxfordshire, he replied, "No. It shouldn't be here. It should be somewhere that doesn't affect locals."
Former US President Donald Trump visited Blenheim Palace, along with then Prime Minister Theresa May, during his first UK visit in July 2018. However, it is believed that this summit hosts the most leaders the palace has ever seen simultaneously.
Despite some frustration over the road closures and disruption, there is a sense of local pride and excitement. Isabelle Phillips, a dog walker, had a challenging morning stroll around Woodstock but noted that her dog Peggy enjoys the presence of officers in uniform and high vis jackets.
"We’ve been playing a little game of counting the police officers to see how many we can greet," she said. "I think it’s because the palace staff at the gates always have dog biscuits, and now Peggy associates anyone in uniform or a high vis jacket with treats."
Janey Velasquez, a teacher at Woodstock Primary School, expressed excitement about the children’s reactions. "I’m excited to see the children coming in this morning because I know there will be a lot of talk about it," she said. "We’re proud to be on Blenheim’s doorstep we’re kind of relishing it. It’s quite nice to turn on the TV and see our local landmark, it makes us feel important."
On a personal note, her commute to work was "probably easier than normal," she said. "The only difference was having a policeman at the bottom of my road, which has never happened before. I take the bus, and it was on time and empty, so I'm winning."
Among the amenities provided, there’s a gelato truck offering refreshments in the sun, and Blenheim’s friendly ducks have been entertaining everyone. Nearly 1,000 journalists were transported through Oxford Parkway station this morning, with a fleet of buses bringing them to the palace grounds. They are working in air conditioned tents set up in the grounds, with a live feed of the discussions inside.
So far, the weather has been pleasant, and the atmosphere inside has been relatively amicable, but with so many political leaders present, anything could happen.
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