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?

Floella benjamin maybe?

um

Seven I'm talking about her wanting to be head of state in her OWN country.

We are talking about being born in the wrong place geologically, but about being born into the wrong family. If she really had an ambition to be the president of the United States I'd have to have a quiet word.

But why should that mean she can't ever aspire to be head of state in her own country? In America children born there have the chance (however remote or slim that chance may be) to do just that. No child born in the uk could ever ever hope for that. Why not here?

I reckon a few years back we could have had rolf harris, come to think of it.

Or are people thinking it would be a political appointment - as politicians have been named - changing the nature of our political landscape?

YANBU it's an incredibly outdated concept, particularly in it's current remote, bloated form.

Sliced you are saying that one "accident of birth" rule is fine, and another is not.

That is not consistent.

A lot of people in the US have a problem with the "only people born here" rule FYI.

YANBU, but people closely clutch the very chains that bind them. It will never happen.

No person can change or make fair the accident of birth that determines which country you originate from. Well, not unless the globe becomes one massive nation where it does not matter which lump of earth you are born on.

However we as a nation could change the fact that a family of people are given a public status that no other person can achieve purely because of their bloodline.

Floella Benjamin is a tory peer so would be a No from me. I was going to say people would have voted for Cliff Richard a few years ago but Rolf Harris makes the same point. I think Michael Palin and Joanna Lumley usually crop up as universally loved but I doubt either would seek to be Head of State - and that's often a problem ; those who seek power are usually the wrong ones to have it.

YANBU, I find it a ridiculous concept in this day and age - it's elitist and to be honest the monarchy has absolutely no relevance in my life at all.

Is she?

Oh balls.

Back to the drawing board

Sliced!

"No person can change or make fair the accident of birth that determines which country you originate from. Well, not unless the globe becomes one massive nation where it does not matter which lump of earth you are born on."

So you are unequivocally stating that the large numbers of people in the US who would like the presidency opened up not just to people born there but people who have become citizens and lived there X number of years etc are WRONG? Because having a stipulation like theirs is sort of, what, natural or something?

That seems an odd stance for a person who is so pro-democracy and anti-accident of birth stuff to take!

I wouldn't want michael palin or joanna lumley.

what about Jo Brand?

Ooh helen mirren is a shoe-in (sp) isn't she?

or thingy. That one in james bond.

I know the monarchy is an anachronism but frankly it doesn't bother me. None of the alternative proposals for appointing a Head of State appeal to me.

I know first-hand that the Royal Family's "pulling power" when it comes to charities is awesome. That may reflect badly on donors, I suppose, but the money is welcome.

I think a lot tourists come because they like the idea of our pomp and ceremony. I live near Windsor and can see for myself.

annie lennox?

david bowie?

boy george?

Seven I have no idea what you are reading from my posts but it isn't what I am writing?

Where am I unequivocally stating that then? Of course I support that us citizens should have a chance to be head of state?

I was talking about the comparison of the lottery of birth in regards to the country you are born in vs the unfair hereditary position held by the royal family which you said was the same.

Anyway...sidetracked. I stand by my original point. Children should be able to aspire to any job description, no matter what bloodline they come from.

It's like talking to a politician

Can I put my vote in for Helen Mirren?

I agree.

I'm in.

republic.org.uk/

Can I just ask why everyone always goes on about what a marvellous job the queen has done being queen? As I see it, she lives for free in a succession of enormous, grand and fully staffed and catered houses, has untold inherited wealth because of her position, knows her children and grandchildren will have the same, in return for which she has to turn up and open things, read out speeches someone else has written for her and ensure she never comments about anything that actually matters.

She has done it without falling over and showing her knickers. Big deal, it isn't actually difficult. I could do as good a job as her for those perks and benefits, ta v much.

Why shouldn't we let other people have a go, say a new one every 5 years, except we get to choose them? What could they possibly do wrong?

David Attenborough? Too old though

Robust Winston? Helena Kennedy? Ooh, we could have a President Kennedy

Please wait until my generation has died off.

It won't be long, just another 25 years will see most of us off.

I cherish the royal family.

Clare Balding. No question.

partialderivative, it won't happen in your lifetime.