To be a Republican?

[TheRhubarb]

Sorry to be a miserable bitch but I really do hate all this Jubilee crap. I don't give a crap about the Royal family one way or the other. I'm very happy to let them exist the way they do so long as we don't have to treat them like some kind of minor gods. However that's just what everyone appears to be doing and I cannot turn on the TV, listen to the radio, buy a newspaper or even walk out of my front door without this Jubilee shite being shoved in my face.

Now even Mumsnet has bowed down to her Maj.

The country's gone to the dogs thanks to the Coalition, vulnerable people are more vulnerable than ever because of cuts, unemployment is high, kids can't afford to go to University, families are relying on food banks and yet we are supposed to forget the fact that our bank and bellies are empty to cheer on some millionairess who is so far removed from real life she might as well be a Martian.

I don't normally care that much to have an opinion about this but when people actually expect me to join in a rendition of God Save the Queen then the fine red mist descends.

It's turning me against the Royal family and making me wish we were Republicans. Anyone else or is it just me?

YANBU (but with the capital 'R' and all, for a moment I thought you meant 'an American Conservative' ).

All the pomp of the Jubilee shindig got right up my nose, not to mention the sheer expense of the thing. In a climate where we're all being told to tighten our belts and that we're all in the economic doldrums together, conspicuous displays of wealth are in pretty poor taste.

And Kate M made a serious error with that dress ? it simultaneously blended into and clashed with the upholstery on the barge.

And speaking of the barge, I thought it looked like the inside of a naff Thai restaurant.

Sleepydog, the monarchy is not a democratic institution.

It's not a matter of opinion - of thinking or knowing - it's a fact. F.A.C.T. whether you are a republican, royalist or not.

I like the sparkles. Tiaras and jewels.

Hi Lady Clarice for a member of the aristos you're surprisingly republican in sentiment!

cockwomble

I am a Republican too. and hate hate hate that that we are referred to as her subjects wtf

18 years ago or around that time we were closer to becoming a republic, diana dying changed that after the initial backlash against the queen they became popular again

i am not a fan of the coalition either i shall save that for another thread they are responsible for the cuts in public services not the royals, though they could get involved the queen has mainly stayed away from politics charles i believe would get involved that is why he will not be king

ppeatfruit, the title isn't real.

Not a lot of people know that. oh yes they do

I guessed ladyC !! The really odd thing is the French got rid of their monarchy but adore and ape our royals and their own aristos even now; also they STILL keep the 'tu' and 'vous' which deliberately separates them and we don't. (I live in Fr. 50% of the time BTW)

I don't notice that the U.S.A is a more equal or fair society without royals they just worship money there.

YANBU

Have avoided most of this weekend's nonsense but the snippets I've seen make me cringe. The monarchy it would appear is the drug of the people, it keeps them dozy and soporific.

No that's telly and compooters and shit junk food *squoosh

I honestly don't understand the animosity towards the Royal family. I really don't.

I'm quite agnostic to the whole idea of a monarchy. In reality they have no say on the way our government works unlike in places like Saudi where they make laws. So they really are just figureheads. A mascot. A bit like Mickey Mouse is to Disney.

So from that point of view they are harmless. The jubilee, the royal weddings, so what. Those occasions have brought in millions of pounds of much needed tourism money. American & Chinese tourists seem to flock over here in their thousands and one of the top attractions is Buckingham palace to see where a 'real queen' lives. They love it so why not give it to them!

They don't really cost us any money at all. They put into the system far more money via the Crown estate than they take from the civil list, so the argument about the taxpayer funding them is only for the ignorant. Even if they didn't contribute anything, they cost about 60p per person per year. I only wish our government was so efficient in spending money. I think I'd rather have Liz being our chancellor than Osbourne!

Don't forget about all the 'work' they do with charities not to mention receiving heads of state which must be boring as hell after 60 years.

Plus I'm quite happy that I have a 3 day week thanks to ma'am and last year I got an extra day off thanks to Will & Kate. That's two days off for free!

I honestly don't understand the adoration towards the royal family. I really don't.

Bowing and scraping to someone because they happen to be born into/married into a particular family is anathema to me.

It's a tradition no one's MAKING you become part of it are they? there's been enough removal of the past IMO. I agree withniceguy.

Don't be ridiculous ppeatfruit as long as there is a monarchy people ARE being forced to participate.

Are they ? Who's got you by the throat then? And there's no need to resort to insults.

Insults? But you are being ridiculous.

I'm not talking about the vanity celebrations of the last few days I'm talking about a day to day sense.

If people are paying for the monarchy out of UK taxes then we are being forced to participate. I'd prefer my money back and spend it on a Twix.

I think we should have a proper election on whether or not to keep the monarchy. Anything else is not democracy. I would vote against. It's no use saying oh so many turned up to wave flags so everyone must be happy. That's what they say in dictatorships.

But in dictatorships you are forced to wave the flag

Nobody forced anyone to stand in the rain at the weekend did they ?

It feels a bit forced after 4 days of it.

I'd prefer my 60p a month or whatever to go to the royals than to armaments actually.

Why not David Cameron and his heirs and successors for the next thousand years then. Dispense with elections.

I have no interest in the monarchy (have more respect for the binmen to be honest).

I do get the feeling though that the long weekend can only have had a positive effect on huge swathes of the unthinking, unquestioning British underclass. Those people who went out and actually bought the plastic bunting and sat outside in the rain with their neighbours and felt 'proud' and that they 'belonged' etc etc., and wittered on inanely about how 'marvellous' the royal family are, and how 'we are the envy of the world'. It's got to be a very good thing for Britain that these people feel happy, hasn't it?

Actually the queen is head of the armed forces so has quite a bit to do with those who deal in armaments. The Royals do seem to like dressing up in army uniforms.

Yes that's true sue I was being one of the unthinking masses there wasn't I?