Editor's note: Freddie Reidy is a freelance writer based in London. He studied history and history of art at the University of Kent, Canterbury, specializing in Russian history and international politics. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Since the Brexit referendum in 2016, the United Kingdom has felt increasingly less united. Political parties are further apart than they have been for decades and the nation remains divided on the issue and Scottish secession has reared its head. However, has the collective struggle which the COVID-19 has presented in fact galvanized the nation once more?

At the dawn of the COVID-19 crisis in the UK, there had been some initial criticism that the government was not fast enough in curbing social interaction and limiting contact, instead favoring a phased approach.

This was a gamble, but one based on research by Imperial College London. Subsequently, the government increased the severity of the measures. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been giving daily press briefings to the nation alongside the government's chief scientific and medical advisers. This flow of information has eased the situation and has been met positively with YouGov finding that some 93 percent of the public agreed with the government's measures.

Since their introduction, the public have largely followed government guidance and refrained from travel and have observed social distancing. Supermarkets have become somber places these days with shoppers distanced at regular intervals, but the British, ever fond of a regulated queue, seem to be adopting to the new way of doing things.

Napoleon Bonaparte allegedly once disparagingly described Britain as "a nation of shopkeepers" but it has often since been worn as a badge of pride and emblematic of an enterprising and resilient nature.

Panic buying has been common with many foreign observers perplexed by the vast quantities of pasta purchased in the early days. Beyond that though, many communities have shown a pioneering spirit in overcoming the limitations of movement and supply. Small, local retailers, bakers and green grocers have adapted and thrived in serving their communities.

Community groups have been set up to deliver vital food supplies to those in need and shopping centers have offered designated shopping times for seniors and key health workers.

The older generation has led a revival in a wartime "blitz spirit," making preparations, with some even freezing milk in ice cube trays in order to ensure the ritual of morning tea goes on uninterrupted.

The "blitz spirit," is a sentiment which encapsulates British character traits of community and keeping a "stiff upper lip" in the face of adversity. The fact that fewer and fewer survivors of the war remain and yet the phrase is still common parlance is testament to its resonance.

It is true that nothing galvanizes a nation like a crisis. It has a levelling effect which although not universal, does engender some perspective and togetherness as shown in a nation-wide round of applause for the National Health Service on Thursday.

The government last week also announced a stimulus package for the self-employed which followed the earlier general stimulus package. Such a vast injection of capital would otherwise be thought unthinkable and there was universal relief across party lines with British Trades Union Congress Chairman Frances O'Grady praising the policy from Chancellor, "Rishi Sunak has shown real leadership… employers can now be confident they'll be able to pay their wage bills."

Her comments exemplify the sea-change in the world with a Conservative government embarking on something akin to state socialism. The stimulus package did take many by surprise at its size and scope, but it has been accepted as the right policy at the right time.

Unlike economic hardship, there is a clear sense of solidarity in combating the virus. Both the prime minister and heir to the throne, Prince Charles have fallen victim, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock also succumbing.

Unlike the United States where Donald Trump seems to be struggling to come to terms with the situation, the United Kingdom has enacted a clear policy. A policy which it is implementing, and which will be tested in the days, weeks and months to come as the death toll continues to rise.

The British public will be able to look to China though, as Wuhan begins to reopen and take heart in the fruit of collective action and responsibility. These are unprecedented times with much sacrifice but for now, the Kingdom appears united in common purpose. 

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