Are you in favour of the Royal Family?

[enzomari]

DM and I were discussing this last night, she's now in her Eighties and used to really like the Queen (not so much Phillip for some reason) but now really isn't bothered and thinks the RF, as is, should be abolished . I've always been a Republican but I was surprised at DM as she always seemed very pro RF but actually was pro the late Queen.

IMHO it seems so past it's sell by date but I'd be interested to know others opinions.

Oh dear lord!

I saw the car... I saw a picture of her looking out the rear window NOT wearing a seatbelt. She would be alive today if she had simply put that seatbelt on.

The monarchy was finished when QEII passed for me. It only had a 47% approval rating about a year after QEII passed. Abolish it

I prefer to have a Royal Family albeit slimmed down and with no formal powers even in theory, than a political president. The formal and ceremonial having no connection with politics.

So the Prime Minister voted in and out by Parliament, no Kings Speech, for example.

But isn't that exactly what they would do if they wanted you to think that ?

I don’t want a royal family but I also don’t want an elected head of state. Maybe we could just have the government pick a senior diplomat for the role and parliament could vote to confirm them?

We are a constitutional monarchy. I don’t want an elected president! Who on earth would suit the majority? Failed politicians like Boris? Or Tony Blair? It’s very difficult to see a better organisation then the one we have now with the monarch taking no role in the day to day running of parliament. We are all richer for having their traditions and ours.

However, they are financially bloated. Charles likes what he has: I think 40 plus residences. There’s room to slim down and pay income tax. Hopefully William will be able to do this but they all add to the portfolio as they get married but don’t sell anything! We need to see more of their trappings of wealth on display. Far more travelling exhibitions for example. However I would keep the role as constitutional monarch. It keeps politics separate from head of state. Thank goodness.

Yes, that's what I said. 'A monarchy with a Prime Minister'. A Prime Minister, however, with not quite the same level of power as a president would have. The reigning monarch can wield power over the PM and the government if they think things are going too far. A deterrent, if you will.

You don't have to look all that far to see what happens when there's no-one to apply the brakes.

OK, you have to be trolling me, because nobody can be this stupid.

We’re not a constitutional monarchy in practice unless you count Charles interfering with any legislation that might damage his financial interests.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jun/28/prince-charles-pressured-ministers-change-law-queen-consent

The reigning monarch can wield power over the PM and the government if they think things are going too far. A deterrent, if you will.

With the deepest respect, that was shown to be complete and utter bollocks when the Queen was unable to tell Boris to go fuck himself when he illegally prorogues parliament.

At least an elected head of state would have the legitimacy of democracy behind them. Something that our dear King most certainly hasn't. Which he would be reminded of very forcefully if he were to interfere with the government.

I'm English living in a majority Welsh speaking area of north Wales. One thing I've noticed moving here is how passionately and unashamedly patriotic the Welsh are in a way that the English are not. I don't think Wales (or Scotland) need the royal family at all as they have incredibly robust cultures independent of royal history. But England doesn't anymore and I worry what would fill the cultural void in England if you got rid of the royal family and if they are in fact a lesser of two evils.

They need to pay their taxes though!!

You write that with such certainty Derxa but that is only one point of view.

Other people are allowed an opinion you know!

Why is it so impossible for Royalists to entertain alternative ideas?

Tbh it’s that very intransigence that turns me off the monarchy more than anything else; I don’t know if that’s your intention, but it comes across so much like “we know better”.

I can respect your pov if you at least pretend to respect the right for someone else to hold an opposing one!

Can't stand them. Especially W&K. Smarmy bastards.

No. They're all freeloaders. Get rid of the lot of them!

What an odd post. I’m on an online discussion forum. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. This country’s problems won’t be solved by getting rid of the monarchy.

I'm imagining the day George turns 18 and refuses to be a part of the circus anymore. Then Charlotte goes off and joins the real circus. And Louis dances around and learns to say Fuck Off the lot of you with gusto.

I hope they do what they want to do in life. I'm not trying to be subversive about it, but children at their age knowing that they are tied to a life of duty and exemplary behaviour at all times is cruel in the extreme and abusive in lots of ways. A prison really.

Am I exaggerating?

No heir oh dear. Who does the firm turn to then?

No, I'm not. Royalists often argue that the alternative would be worse (e.g. current PM as head of state) but an elected head of state could be voted out.

I would have someone not part of the present government at all; someone whose role was largely if not entirely ceremonial; and allow them one 'country' residence and one apartment in each major city of the UK during their tenure, and reasonable staff to keep their life running smoothly, but not people to run their bath and other ridiculous extravagances enjoyed by the Royal family.

The present Royals would be retired with dignity; they probably have sufficient private wealth to live in comfort for the rest of their lives; future generations will have to work if necessary.

State owned property, art, jewels etc. would become museums/exhibits as in France.

I hope I am wrong, but if the RF continues and it will, I don't think William is up to the job at all. Just an impression I get. He doesn't seem too interested in being around people much and does as little as he can get away with.

Am I alone in thinking this? It is the future of the RF we are talking about here.

The monarch has Kings or Queens Consent. Laws esp any involving the Royal Family have to be approved by the reigning Monarch.

I am certainly not as pro the monarchy as I once was. I don't think they are indispensible, but I don't have such strong opinions that I would bother voting to get rid of them.

I do think that it is rather unfair that the children's futures are so firmly mapped out for them virtually before they are even conceived. What if George wanted to do something else rather than go into the armed forces and later on be King? What if that is forcing someone to do something they are totally unsuited for?

I always think that one of the problems with a hereditary and constitutional monarch is that every so often someone will be born into it who is totally unsuited to that type of role or life. Arguably, Harry is a case in point there.

I wrote it in reply to your bold statement that,

“We don’t need to adapt because everything is just fine as it is.”

And it really isn’t just fine. It really isn’t.

I am relieved you agree that everyone is entitled to an opinion though.

I don’t expect that all of the UK’s problems will be solved by getting rid of the Monarchy either. Nor do most Republicans. But maybe some inequalities could be addressed by doing so. And it could be the start of addressing more. It would certainly encourage more meritocratic appointments.

username checks out

I think there's still a value to having someone apolitical floating above it all as a symbol of, er, something or other.

If you think the RF is apolitical I have a bridge for you.

George could abdicate. I don't deny he'd have to weather one hell of a media storm, but once it was over, if he kept his head down and lived quietly, people would lose interest.

The current government front bench has no public school educated people. Angela Rayner is deputy prime minister. What other appointments were you thinking of.