to think it's about time we got rid of the Monarchy?

[clayspaniel]

Now that the Scotland referendum is over, does anyone else think it is now time to have a complete constitutional reform, and discontinue the role of the Queen and all her associated hangers-on?

They do have power though Butter, someone linked to an article earlier explaining how. We just got lucky with the current queen who chooses not to exercise her powers drastically. We could be out of luck further down the lineage

So I'd strip the power rather than throwing out the family.

Sorry, I know that its not always popular. I just like the frivolity of having them about

I'd strip the power rather than throwing out the family.

Yeah, me too - and the wealth, tbh, though they can have a generous stipend if they put effort into carrying out pompous & ceremonial duties.

Given a binary choice between monarchy as it is and no monarchy, though, I'll go for no monarchy.

Butterpuff you have the likes of Posh and Becks for the kind of frivolity you enjoy! No one is suggesting they want the RF thrown out onto the streets or anything!

Clay, I keep thinking the Beckhams can do a better job of the 'pomp'

onelast, why do you keep banging on about the USA - that's not the system of government that we would have if the monarchy is abolished. It's far more likely to be something like Ireland, which costs them a fraction of what our RF costs.

It's always good to be in possession of some facts before trying to argue for something rather than just making bizarre unsubstantiated statements.

And as for politicians coming from privileged births, yes, most of them do. But they still need to be ELECTED. And they don't just hand their power down from generation to generation unless their off spring are also ELECTED.

It's not a hard concept to grasp.

I agree truffle, King Charles appears to be very keen to get his hands on the power - and already regularly abuses his position and covers this up by using Official Secrets.

He has no morals about making sure he throws his weight around.

I'd love to see the end of the monarchy, however it will never happen - there's just too many supporters ready to stand in the rain waiving their little flag just to catch a glimpse.

Vive la republic.

If tomorrow David Cameron announced that there was no more monarchy, your life wouldn't change and neither would the average English mans. All it would mean is we have lost part of our national identity.

Excellent post.

I wouldn't have lost a part of my national identity. I would be living in a democracy for the first time, my children would have a chance to become head of state and i would feel very happy that I lived in such a progressive country that had the courage to move with the times.

Nope. Wouldn't feel it's a loss at all. A positive thing. Part of our national identity has contained some really negative things. We saw sense in progress and moved on.

The monarchy is an embarrassing anachronism, but I do have a funny anecdote about Edward which speaks volumes.

My dad's best mate is president of a UK sporting body and was introduced to Edward at the Commonwealth games. They're making small talk and my dad's mate says, 'will Sophie be joining you later?'

Edward fixes him with an icy glare and says 'the countess of Wessex will be arriving this afternoon.'

Back in yer box, pleb!

See, he had the opportunity to disabuse someone of the idea he's a twat, and what did he do?

I also loathe William and his obvious contempt for the press, public and pretty much everything he does. If it's all so tiresome he really could throw in the towel and I'm sure he'd be no great loss to public life.

Back in yer box, pleb!

I love it!

people talk down about america, but they are miles ahead in this regard. I also have a title (one that I had to earn), but I couldn't take myself seriously if I corrected someone on it. so infantile.

i have a question for the monarchists. if we did have a republic, would you have a movement to start a monarchy? If not, why not?

No, of course not

We'd still have the Queen, Chaz, Wills & co ... they'd just be top of the aristo pile, though, instead of owners/rulers over us.

Sorry, Written, I'm not a monarchist!!

Yadnbu. The monarchy needs to go. It is an unfair system where we the public are paying for them to have maids, cooks etc. it is ridiculous and makes no sense at all. It is really time it was abolished. There's no need to wait for the Queen to die.

Oh, I also missed your title! Coffee, your ladyship? It's very strong

People are scared of change.
I would vote for a republic. I think I would be among the minority.

clayspaniel posh and becks are not the same at all. Posh by name but not by nature. None of those excellent teeth, ruddy cheeks and wonderful accents.

writtenguarentee what you mean by forming an army, overpowering the government and claiming right as Queen, not sure I have the funds to give it a go. But if it were a head boy/girl vote I might try out

Butterpuff do you mean that you want someone posher than you as the head of state to get your frivolity kicks from? The royals aren't better than you, don't you know!

what you mean by forming an army

no. referendum or something.

Why would not having a monarchy automatically mean we'd have to have a presidency anyway. Is there some unwritten rule that says so. We have a Prime minister, that should be enough. We don't have to have a president?The country would run well enough without one.

Well I don't want our judiciary reporting to the Prime Minister. I want them independent of the government as they are now.