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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hope we can FINALLY see what is in Prince Charles's letters to ministers?

73 replies

ComposHatComesBack · 26/03/2015 13:04

AIBU to ask if anyone is intrigued to see what is in the so called 'black spider memos'?

Well done to the Guardian for keeping on with this for ten years, but the Supreme court has ruled that the letters written by Prince Charles to ministers can be published. It will be interesting to see if his lobbying resulted in any changes in government policy.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/mar/26/supreme-court-clears-way-release-secret-prince-charles-letters-black-spider-memos

Along with his mother's stage managed intervention in the Scottish Referendum, I think this undermines the notion that the Royal family are somehow 'above politics' and are merely figureheads.

AIBU to also think his is a timely reminder what a politically powerful position the Queen will be in the extremely likely situation that there's a hung parliament in a few weeks time?

OP posts:
molyholy · 26/03/2015 13:06

I cannot wait to see these letters. Political impartiality my arse!!!

NotYouNaanBread · 26/03/2015 13:07

But what is the point of having a monarchy at all then, if they have absolutely zero influence? Doesn't the Queen have to sign off on practically everything that happens? What is she is presented with a document that she utterly disagrees with? Doesn't she have a responsibility to her country to question it?

I'm not saying that I WANT PC to have power, but if it is acknowledge that the royal family has no power at all, then why are they there?

(sorry about all the question marks there)

I'm anti-monarchy anyway, but also not British. I just wonder what the point is.

Pootles2010 · 26/03/2015 13:10

They are there for tradition, to look royal and bring tourists and provide a bit of history and pagentry.

I think this is why the Queen is so popular - she keeps her nose out, whereas Charles won't.

BoysiesBack · 26/03/2015 13:12

I agree with Pootles.

And place-marking.

molyholy · 26/03/2015 13:14

If we want people to have influence of decisions made in our Country, surely they should not be able to do it simply due to the fact that they are born into a certain family? How is that fair and democratic? What IS the point in the Monarchy? I have been asking myself that for years.

Original poster
ComposHatComesBack · 26/03/2015 14:57

I agree moly and I have no idea what the point of them Is

OP posts:
OrlandoWoolf · 26/03/2015 15:03

The monarchy should have no interference in politics. The Queen is only Queen through luck and the fact that her great great etc parents happened to be first born. If someone else had been first born, she would not have been Queen and no one would even know about Charles or care about William and Kate.

I'd love to see what he's written. I bet it involves the word carbuncle.

HungryDam · 26/03/2015 15:06

Yanbu, yes we need to see them!

BoatsAgainstTheCurrent · 26/03/2015 15:06

“This is a disappointing judgment and we will now consider how to release these letters. This is about the principle that senior members of the royal family are able to express their views to government confidentially. I think most people would agree this is fair enough.”

Um, no. This makes me despise Cameron more than I already do. I agree with moly; being part of the monarchy does not give anyone the right to influence decisions made by the government, or ahem to express their views to government confidentially bullshit

On another note, when will the letters be released?

motherinferior · 26/03/2015 15:11

Wotcher Compo Grin

I have long banged on about how Chazza is actually a rather sinister figure with his attempts to influence and rule. Twit.

Lovely journalist, the bloke who's been trying to get access (I used to work with him long ago in a totally different capacity), btw.

Original poster
ComposHatComesBack · 26/03/2015 15:18

Waves back at mother well done your former colleague!

OP posts:
motherinferior · 26/03/2015 15:23

He did that book on spies in leftwing (and some rightwing) organisations; we've exchanged a few emails on which of our mutual former colleagues they might have been...

squoosh · 26/03/2015 15:27

Oh well done Guardian. Can't wait to see what they hold. Charles is an odious and interfering weasel with far too high opinion of himself and his opinions.

Being a royal was a fluke of birth. Let them live in luxury and let people wave flags when they walk past but do not let them influence government policy.

silverbangles66 · 26/03/2015 15:31

squoosh as ever, well said.

I read somewhere that his Cambridge tutor described him as having a very third rate mind.

I cannot imagine what he thinks he has to add to government policy, but if he feels his opinions are so bloody interesting, why not do some constitutional flummery and step down and stand as an MP.

Berk.

Original poster
ComposHatComesBack · 26/03/2015 15:34

Ooh the intrigue mother

OP posts:
motherinferior · 26/03/2015 15:35

I think that's a bit of an insult to people who get thirds, frankly. His ponderous 'I am an intellectual' declarations are just insulting to anyone who knows how to read without moving their lips.

D'you remember when he asked Hockney if he'd like to do a picture swap (ie a doodle of Chazza's for a Hockney)? Same kind of breathtaking arrogance. I realise that when you've spent your entire life being indulged and flattered and, frankly, lied to, it's hard to realise you're less than a genius, but there are limits.

mummymeister · 26/03/2015 15:44

there is a 30 day appeal period and an appeal to get through yet so put the bubbly back on ice. IMO these will never ever be published because everyone who has seen them agrees that they are dynamite to the monarchy and Charlie boy has not yet recovered from the whole Diana/Camilla saga. I wouldn't trust a man who showers multiple times in a day, every day and expects someone to dry the shower off in between uses. he is a lazy indulged arse. he is an adulterer who hopes to one day be the head of my church. I absolutely hate him and everything he stands for with a passion.

MaxPepsi · 26/03/2015 15:48

If someone else had been first born, she would not have been Queen and no one would even know about Charles or care about William and Kate.

Someone else was born first. Her Uncle abdicated.

Original poster
ComposHatComesBack · 26/03/2015 15:53

But where is there left to appeal too? Surely the government asking the European Court to overturn a judgement of its own supreme Court would be political suicide?

OP posts:
Damnautocorrect · 26/03/2015 15:56

Im intrigued what they have to say too.
I think some of his 'green' ideas are very important and wish the government would listen. Through all the prime ministers that have come and gone the queen has seen them all, she's seen some of their short term decisions turn to shit, we do need someone to look after the longer term decisions in our country, not just the next four years. In theory the house of Lords and queen should do that.

RevoltingPeasant · 26/03/2015 15:59

What did Hockney say, out of nosiness interest?

Original poster
ComposHatComesBack · 26/03/2015 16:02

I hope it was a two word answer second word being 'off'

OP posts:
alteredimages · 26/03/2015 16:02

I also don't suppose we will ever see the letters, but with a bit of luck their existence will be enough to stop Charles ever becoming King.

It is a frightening reminder of how undemocratic our system of government is and how open it is to interference.

He gets more unlikeable and out of touch the closer he inches to the throne.

squoosh · 26/03/2015 16:03

A Hockney or a Chaz original. Dilemma!

OrlandoWoolf · 26/03/2015 16:04

I think some of his 'green' ideas are very important and wish the government would listen

Why listen to him though?

If he wants a platform, he should get voted. Or become an elected representative of an interest group. That would give him a voice where he has earned it - and not just because of who he is.

Celebrities can't write to Ministers and expect to be listened to and have their advice acted on because of their fame. It needs more than that.