To think that most people don't understand the significance of the King's Speech

[MargoLivebetter]

As it is happening today, I wondered whether fellow posters would be watching and if they knew what it was all about? I work in the broad field of political matters, so I'm very conscious of it, but I wondered if it meant anything to anyone else.

Interested to hear if I'm being AIBU. I hope I am!

I know it involves laying out what the government is planning on doing over the next 12 months, the laws it's planning to bring in. I'd lost track it was happening today, will certainly watch it. :)

This is a little condescending. People who care know. Many people have no interest in politics.

A wish list of intentions, some will happen, some will not, some will get watered down.

I don't really see it as being particularly important, other than the pomp and ceremony, of which we have far far too much.

@luckylavender I really didn't mean to be condescending at all, so apologies if my post came across that way. I am genuinely interested to know if it means anything to people, that's all.

I don't see it as particularly significant as most of the intentions have already been foreshadowed or leaked, some will happen, some will get watered down, some won't happen at all. I'm not interested in the ceremonial aspect

I don't think it particularly has significance, especially in an election year where the speech is just a repetition of the manifesto. It's a formality that I think we could do without.

It’s all been reported in advance hasn’t it? Are you expecting surprises?

@HeddaGarbled I know what the general intentions are, or at least I think I do. The manifesto was very vague and who knows how accurate the leaks are.

For me, I will be following so that I know what the legislative programme for the year ahead will be. What objectives are going to be on the agenda for the next session. This is our first proper look at what are the priorities for the new Government. I think it is quite exciting but I know I'm a bit of a nerd about this stuff.

I haven’t really bothered with them over the last few years, but this should be interesting

I tend to think the way it’s delivered is a bit archaic, but well, it’s our constitution innit

What an oddly patronising post. Why would you assume people have such little knowledge?

I don't see it as being very important. It's just a repetition of intended policies which are listed in the manifesto and have been discussed in the media which may or may not actually happen with zero consequences if the latter.

The pomp and ceremony should be a wake-up call to the UK's inequality and archaic monarchy system. But it won't be.

I won't be watching.

@WindsurfingDreams it's in AIBU, so that is the title of the thread, but you will see that I'm asking - not assuming.

You see, the above attitude blows my mind. If you live in a country then the politics and government of that country have an effect on you day to day, how can you NOT be aware , if not interested.
I used to work in a team of 6 and had to explain to 4 of them what The Budget was and how it could affect them personally.

It's a Party Political Broadcast that the reigning Sovereign is obliged to read aloud.

No big deal.

I do. But I am a republican so think the whole spectacle is a load of archaic bollocks

I always imagine the king waking up and deciding (like Mr. Benn) who he is going to be. Today it was, "I'm going to be an Admiral of the Fleet.".

@GertrudeCB I agree! It’s crazy that people say they have no interest in politics but then moan when they can’t buy a house, roads are full of pot holes etc etc

@GertrudeCB agree. I think it is really important and I want to know what is coming. This stuff will affect all of us and our everyday lives.

However, I can't help wondering if people think it is a load of stuffy old people in silly costumes and maybe that detracts from the significance of it?

Obviously we don't have a constitution and weirdly the symbolism of what goes on today, does actually fill the gap of some of our lack of a constitution. But I suspect that might be missed by the actual reporting by the media, who tend to bang on about the size of diamonds and pointless shit like that.

For clarity I'm a political nut but many many people have zero interest

Never knew this existed. Sounds great. I would love someone clearly to say what labour plan on doing because despite listening to lots of the debates and Rachel’s finance talk; I have no idea apart from the school VAT debacle and they want to build all over the metropolitan greenbelt and decimate the green fingers of Sutton coldfield. 🤣

I’ve never watched it but I’ve watched the Budget speeches before because my interests lie there.

Wonder no longer OP. I know what it's all about and I'm sure most of us do.

I think it has significance given that the Labour Party seemed a little hazy on what they would actually do. But with the best of intentions, and I’m happy to credit them with those, circumstances change over time. I will listen (don’t have a TV) to what political commentators say. I might read the speech online but I won’t try to watch the speech online. I think you ABU to an extent

As you'll see from my user name, I will be following with keen interest. Given how nebulous the manifesto and general campaign commitments were, this is where a bit of meat will be put on the bones. I'm particularly interested to hear about crime and planning reforms.

And by the way, when I knock on doors at election time, a really alarming proportion of people have a) no idea that there's an election happening b) didn't realize it's today and c) have absolutely no interest in it and probably won't vote. But they don't hesitate to have a moan when it results in something they don't like!