Royal Mint, National Debt by Norman Baker

[BoxingHare]

This book was published in November, a follow up from his book And What Do You Do. It does a deeper dive into the finances of the Royal family.

I've asked my library if they could stock it, and am interested in any one else's opinions if you've read it or are reading it.

Royal Mint, National Debt - The Guardian Bookshop https://share.google/zf83FwYnxHJRYQ619

Thanks for the tip! I'll be doing that, except I've got all his books dammit!

Rather worrying that a 'not very bright' MP was part of the Privy Council hey ho

Nellie Jean - Norman Baker used to be my MP and he was absolutely excellent. And I say that as someone who has never voted Lib Dem.

I haven’t read any of his books in much the same way I haven’t read any of Russell Brands.

Well that one's straight out of left field.

Norman Baker's work associated in the same sentence with that of an accused rapist?! 😮

Royalists will do anything, literally anything to besmirch someone who opens the lid on the Royals.
Sad.
Sick
(or does 'sick' mean what it used to? Probably not!)

I know! I've asked my local library to buy it, so fingers crossed!

Here's the man himself on YouTube. Very funny that they were editing the book so close to the wire and that the delay in publication served them well as they managed to edit references to AMW so that they were correct!

Here's Andrew Lownie interviewing him.

Thats an excellent watch - thanks

I'd love to hear the mental gymnastics of the RF fans for how all of this is OK.
They seem to be avoiding this thread and busy discussing if someone at The Telepgraph thinks Meghan is a winner or loser ?!?!

I think they are too busy monitoring stock levels of her jam! I wish I was making that up

I have to say, it is really refreshing that there are threads talking about the monarchy, its place in our country, the murky finances, videos, AMW, and what the future may hold for the Royals - without being insulted and jumped on by very vocal Royalists on here
I just know that there have been people who want to discuss the monarchy but have avoided the Royal board like the plague because of the Harry & Meghan posters, they have said so and illustrated by the fact that if there is a thread in chat or AIBU about the royals, it is much more balanced. These people can now post on the Royal board and whilst royalists might not like it, it is much more fair. It has been far too long that the board has been totally dominated by H&M threads
Long may this more balanced Royal board continue

Long live the board! 👑

Fascinating, just fascinating. Thank you so much.
It covered so much that makes me angry!

Right at the end Norman Baker says he thinks our MPs are behind the curve on what the general public really think as far as royal finances, he could not be more right

I think the usual staunch defenders haven't descended on this thread because the facts exposed on the books are indefensible. All we've had is hominem attacks against Baker.

Really hoping this gets an audiobook soon! Or I can get myself organised enough to get to the library.

I think the problem with Norman Baker's books is that I feel he's mostly preaching to the choir. I think to read a book about the monarchy you tend to fall into two camps - big fan or republican. I imagine most people reading And What Do You Do already had republican leanings. As demonstrated on this thread with the bizarre Russel Brand comparison, monarchists aren't going to read it/will reject it out of hand.

Lownie's books get more press attention but it tends to be focussed on the actions of the individual, rather than the system that enables them.

There's some really shocking stuff in there that should be front page news or common public knowledge, but it just isn't.

Depressingly enough I think we'll only see real change in public opinion on the royals if the Daily Mail decides to go for them. I imagine eventually they'll get bored of Harry and Meghan and due to the ages of the royal children it'll be a while until there's another round of weddings, babies etc. Maybe they'll get desperate enough for clicks that they'll turn.

@Aethelredtheunsteady

I'm hoping the audible book is out very soon too.

I think the problem with Norman Baker's books is that I feel he's mostly preaching to the choir. I think to read a book about the monarchy you tend to fall into two camps - big fan or republican. I imagine most people reading And What Do You Do already had republican leanings. As demonstrated on this thread with the bizarre Russel Brand comparison, monarchists aren't going to read it/will reject it out of hand.

I dont have particularly Republican leanings, because I think if the Monarchy was scrutinised properly by Parliament, paid taxes in the same way we all do, didnt have the right to exempt themselves from legislation (outrageous imo and a shocking breach of trust that is just allowed to happen without comment), I would be fine about the Monarchy. The Duchies need to be rolled into the Crown Estate and again, properly scrutinised by Parliament to ensure the RF are complying with their obligations to maintain the properties (which they clearly arent judging by Royal Lodge and all the other dilapidated properties dotted around) and the Monarchy seriously cut down to size to be just the Monarch and heir- with a corresponding severe cutting down of their land etc. Its their piss taking and the establishment unquestioningly doing their bidding I have an issue with. There are Monarchists who would not disagree with this, and Iirc Baker said this in his first book. The problem is,the only people who dont want this to happen are the RF themselves. But they are doing what kings have always done- take what they want. The people in the place that has developed over 1000 years to keep the Monarchy in check has decided to abdicate their responsibility in exchange for a gong when they retire. That is what needs to change.

Totally agree with your post @LidlAmaretto
We won't be seeing the back of them for generations so there's no point hoping for that. Complete modernisation is what I want

I am just at that part of the book where Norman Baker has listed all the Royal properties. My goodness me, there needs to be a huge overhaul of all of this

@simpsonthecat I think the difference is that Monarchists believe that the RF will modernise just off its own bat. I dont believe they will, and I cant see any indication that William will do any modernisibg that requires hom or his children to have less money, property or power. Hes already throwing his children to nutcases to 'prepare' them for a lifetime of more of the same. Monarchists who agree about the need for change always come up with reasons why its ' not yet' then when public pressure or disgust forces the rf into action then its nothing to do with public pressure, they were going to fo it anywsy!

.

Yes.
And Royalists go on about Charles saying he was going to streamline the Monarchy, slim it down and yes he has done that because of no Andrew and no Harry, natural wastage as it were!
What is missing though is cutting costs! Less working Royals, more money doesn't really cut it!
I believe he said at one point he wanted to reduce the size of the Royal Household and the number of royal properties.

Straight after QE2's death, this was said... Charles will have to streamline an organization that controls vast numbers of estates, castles and treasures. And as Britain faces high inflation and other economic woes, members of the extended family need to be seen as paying their own way, the analysts say.

That was pissing in the wind wasn't it?!
And I hold out no hope for William doing anything. His reign, in my opinion, will be more secrecy, more privacy, less work.

The library has ordered this, so I'll be able to join in properly soon.

Great! I must plough on, I'm about halfway through. I must learn how to bookmark on my eReader as there are some shocking bits I need to go back to.

Slow going as there's a lot to take in and not much free time to do it but I'm coming to the end of this now.

Plenty of shocking stuff on the way the lines are blurred between official and private goodies as we expected but the chapter on C3 and the money grubbing on behalf of his charity and the financial millstone in the shape of Dumfries House he unilaterally decided must be saved for the nation is astounding. Add to it details of his bizarre obsession with assorted perverts and it's really not a flattering picture.

No wonder both Harold and Mr MW find themselves useful deflections from the spotlight that as HoS we should expect to be picking him out in equal measure.