Abolishing the Monarchy

[tigger2022]

A few people on different sides of the debate have expressed an interest in discussing/debating this, so I thought we could give it a go…

Abolishing the monarchy?

My personal view: I used to be a staunch republican but have since completely changed my view. I think the constitutional monarchy is a slightly odd system, but seems to do the job, and I can’t think of another country’s system which is actually preferable. I also find myself less & less convinced by republican arguments…

Thoughts?

Why should they? When they pay a licence fee, not everyone wants this.

Why should they? When they pay a licence fee, not everyone wants this.

There’s loads of stuff on television that I don’t want to watch and I also pay a licence fee.
However I, and presumably most people, can survive without it from time to time.
Do you feel the need to watch it every day?

Thank god the plans confirmed now to abolish the TV licence fee!

No.

Stop changing what I say. I want choice, not wall to wall royal on every BBC channel and radio. Which happened.

I do think BBC realised they made a faux pas there

Stop changing what I say. I want choice, not wall to wall royal on every BBC channel and radio. Which happened.

For how many days in the last decade has that happened? Watch another channel then - it’s not as if BBC are the only channels available.

Stop changing what I say. I want choice, not wall to wall royal on every BBC channel and radio. Which happened.

No, it didn't. There were radio channels that didnt broadcast it. There was the iplayer. The red button.

I don't get this. Let's say BBC2 put on an alternative, which they did after 5pm, whats the likelihood you'd have watched their content? What is BBC2s riveting daytime output on a Monday? Wouldn't you be more likely just to switch to a different channel if you werexsofa bound?

Anyone else think the Ladies days at Royal Ascot, Aintree and all the other horse shows oops, racing events are like the Mad Hatter's Tea Party? Totally bonkers!
I went with a group few years ago, and couldn't understand the excitement. I would prefer to spend my money away on some adventure. The whole thing was really silly to say the least.

I don’t mind Ascot but I hate Aintree. Not because of the outfits but because so many horses die! I don’t think senior royals go there very much anymore thankfully.

I guess it makes a change from Bingo night!😜

tigger2022, I agree, Ascot is a tad nicer than the rest of those ghastly events when the special Ascot invite goes to Judi Dench who accepted dutifully.

ONE channel is enough. Why not? Tell me why? I need justification

BBC2 was used for BSL.

God there’s some drama llamas on this thread. You can turn everything off and read a book.

I support a hereditary monarchy.

I have no faith in the population’s capacity to choose a head of state. Some moronic decisions have been made by democratic election. <cough Brexit> I shudder at the wave after wave of trashy “influencers” that flood YouTube, Instagram etc. Those are the choices that the people make, given half a chance.

It’s the sheer randomness of the incumbent that appeals to me. I don’t think they are better than us, I think they represent the most ordinary of us. The rf are not on the whole the most beautiful or intelligent examples of humanity, they are distinctly unremarkable, except for the position in which they find themselves. What they do have, on the whole, is a guiding purpose to be of service, which I believe is a good thing.

I think there are some significant flaws in the way the existing institution operates, I could go to town on the governance that allows warring factions within the palace to fester, when they should all be working together.

I think it’s high time the Byzantine finances were properly examined, unravelled and legislated for.

But I think the principle of an inherited monarchy is a sound one.

I used to support the royal family. With scandal after scandal I no longer do. From millions in cash in suitcases to the queen trying to claim from a warm homes fund meant for the very poorest. Or the theft of gifts to the nation by the royal family. They seem exceptionally greedy as a family.

I agree @Ohpleeeease

I think there needs to be a mechanism for removing people from the line of succession (or an easy way for people to remove themselves). Harry and Andrew, while the scale of their scandals and indiscretions is completely incomparable, are both now compromised beyond the point they could actually do the job. They should not be in the line of succession. And if Charles gets implicated in any criminal activity found in his charity, there ought to be an expectation that he abdicates.

I do agree with that @tigger2022 & I actually imagine there is quite an easy way, but they'll not want to use it as it'll show just how easy it is to do

I’m thinking of something similar to the concept of “confidence” in the House of Commons. The monarch should be able to demonstrate they have the confidence of their elected government too.

Prompts another question I’m also interested in! If not abolish, how would you reform the monarchy?

I've got 3 retired race horses in my field.

I'm sure they're lovely but how many actually get to be adopted and what happens to the ones that aren't that lucky?

If horses weren't specifically bred for entertainment purposes there wouldn't be any need for people to adopt them when they're no longer fit for racing.

What royal links?

It's laid out upthread but give speaker at launch event Ben Marson - Director of Partnerships at The Princes Trust a look.

ONE channel is enough.

Yes indeed.

And if Charles gets implicated in any criminal activity found in his charity

He won't.

He has endless lackeys to fall on their swords and keep him squeaky clean. See Fawcett The Fence for an example.

Charles should have been ruled out of the line of succession for his deplorable association and support of Peter Ball.

Yep.

And at least that one's fully documented and indisputable.

CathyorClaire would you ban all equestrian sports?