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?

I dont see why they cant be scaled down as they are in other european countries.

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

i don't think republicans disagree.

writtenguarantee, I'm sure you're right. I was just responding to the point above that we don't need anyone to replace the monarchy if we abolish them (which, on balance, I hope we don't).

I'm sure you're right. I was just responding to the point above that we don't need anyone to replace the monarchy if we abolish them (which, on balance, I hope we don't).

I don't think having a separate head of state helps.

Back in yer box, pleb!

Precisely - and wasn't it also Edward who was overheard remarking that they'd walked through a local park "to give pleasure to the people" ??

Anyway, for me it's honestly not about individuals, however horrible - not even the ghastly Charles and his partner - more the overall principle

babybarrister, that is SUCH a tired argument - you would only get a President Blair IF THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR HIM. That's how democracy works (well if you have STV anyway!).

You are just as likely to have President Emma Watson, President Eddie Izzard, President Vic Goddard, etc, etc. It would be the people's choice.

I have not chosen any of the chinless wonders that inhabit Buck House at the moment and my rose-tinted "ain't they all lovely" glasses seem to have been lost so I can see them for the bunch of no marks that they actually are.

Time for them to go, they're just rich benefit scroungers!

you would only get a President Blair IF THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR HIM.

Well we got Prime Minister Blair because a majority voted for him.

And we got shot of him when we didn't want him anymore.

Really, if you are "old school" monarchists, wouldnt you consider the royal lineage has pretty much died now that the heirs have been born to an ex hostie's daughter?

No you are not BU

Queen ok, but Monarchy after her is a but fatuous.

Keep them for a bit a tralala for the tourists but shed their massive financial privileges, their huge land grabs could be turned into nature reserves, country parks, shared spaces. Their houses could be opened properly to the public and they could either serve without gratuitous advantage (i.e Cornwall) and make do with far fewer houses/lands. Or go to Switzerland with everyone else who needs to be left alone to count the money they've stolen from their people.

I'm not royalist, but to be fair, on the whole they aren't the worst option for head of state - well the current queen at any rate. My real gripe is the bowing and scraping that is expected when interacting with them. The outdated protocol is frankly obscene. It is ridiculous that in the 21st century a person is called "your royal highness" or "majesty". I would not curtesy for anyone - that's my title buggered I suppose