Monarchy and Heritage

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Discussion

Tom8

Original Poster:

3,078 posts

161 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
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Following the King's Speech yesterday, news coverage seemed to laud the heritage and the "pomp" of the occasion.

To me the monarchy is largely irrelevant in real terms in modern society. Yes royal approval is given, opening and closing of parliament etc but no actual involvement in the politics. Is it time to bin all this off now? Almost a bit embarrassing really and no doubt extremely expensive too, an additional cost we really don't need.

Is there support for any form of monarchy these days?

randlemarcus

13,599 posts

238 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
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It seems to be better than the alternative, so happy to support the status quo.

Mammasaid

4,334 posts

104 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
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MesoForm

9,163 posts

282 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
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It's the same issue that the likes of Canada and Australia have with replacing the head of state - we've already got a decision making process that seems to run the country OK so if you replace the monarchy with a different head of state the options are:
1) head of state with some power, in which case you need to take decision making powers away from what we already have and all the potential pitfalls that come with that
2) head of state with no power, which is what we have so why bother changing it? Who in their right mind would stand for election to this kind of position? If you're that bothered about having something other than a monarch as the head of state just have a Labrador instead.

Silvanus

6,063 posts

30 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
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Mammasaid said:
Not quite sure it's end of thread, don't remember anyone asking my opinion to be included in that poll. I'd happily see the monarchy wound down to its absolute minimum (potentially wound down completely) and all crown estate land to become managed and accessible to the public. I'm a big supporter of right to roam and crown land would be a good place to start.

Tom8

Original Poster:

3,078 posts

161 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
MesoForm said:
It's the same issue that the likes of Canada and Australia have with replacing the head of state - we've already got a decision making process that seems to run the country OK so if you replace the monarchy with a different head of state the options are:
1) head of state with some power, in which case you need to take decision making powers away from what we already have and all the potential pitfalls that come with that
2) head of state with no power, which is what we have so why bother changing it? Who in their right mind would stand for election to this kind of position? If you're that bothered about having something other than a monarch as the head of state just have a Labrador instead.
Does it need a head of state then? If it wasn't there what difference would it make? Elected PM runs the country.
I think we should have an animal in place. Donkey would be appropriate now.

Mammasaid

4,334 posts

104 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
Silvanus said:
Mammasaid said:
Not quite sure it's end of thread, don't remember anyone asking my opinion to be included in that poll. I'd happily see the monarchy wound down to its absolute minimum (potentially wound down completely) and all crown estate land to become managed and accessible to the public. I'm a big supporter of right to roam and crown land would be a good place to start.
But that's the same with all opinion polls, unless it's a referendum (e.g. Brexit) only a small proportion of the populace are asked. BTW, support for the monarchy has been relatively stable over the last 50 years, so the OP's point is moot.

sugerbear

4,539 posts

165 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
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More the question of why we need all the spongers / welfare claimants that make up the Royal family and why they have the ability to avoid taxes that their subjects are subjected to.

Zarco

18,497 posts

216 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
MesoForm said:
It's the same issue that the likes of Canada and Australia have with replacing the head of state - we've already got a decision making process that seems to run the country OK so if you replace the monarchy with a different head of state the options are:
1) head of state with some power, in which case you need to take decision making powers away from what we already have and all the potential pitfalls that come with that
2) head of state with no power, which is what we have so why bother changing it? Who in their right mind would stand for election to this kind of position? If you're that bothered about having something other than a monarch as the head of state just have a Labrador instead.
3) No head of state.

Admittedly I haven't given this a great deal of thought, but I don't see why we need one. Just make it the PM.

I'd happily see the back of the monarchy.

phil-sti

2,815 posts

186 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
Tom8 said:
Following the King's Speech yesterday, news coverage seemed to laud the heritage and the "pomp" of the occasion.

To me the monarchy is largely irrelevant in real terms in modern society. Yes royal approval is given, opening and closing of parliament etc but no actual involvement in the politics. Is it time to bin all this off now? Almost a bit embarrassing really and no doubt extremely expensive too, an additional cost we really don't need.

Is there support for any form of monarchy these days?
yes, love the royal family.

valiant

11,368 posts

167 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
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phil-sti said:
yes, love the royal family.
Most dysfunctional family in the UK.

Get rid.

Lotobear

7,165 posts

135 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
sugerbear said:
More the question of why we need all the spongers / welfare claimants that make up the Royal family and why they have the ability to avoid taxes that their subjects are subjected to.
To be fair that's not too far removed from the 'privileges' our elected reps enjoy

Zarco

18,497 posts

216 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
Lotobear said:
sugerbear said:
More the question of why we need all the spongers / welfare claimants that make up the Royal family and why they have the ability to avoid taxes that their subjects are subjected to.
To be fair that's not too far removed from the 'privileges' our elected reps enjoy
At least they are elected.

NerveAgent

3,545 posts

227 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
phil-sti said:
yes, love the royal family.
What do you love about random people?

It’d be great to get rid of them imo.

Lotobear

7,165 posts

135 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
Zarco said:
Lotobear said:
sugerbear said:
More the question of why we need all the spongers / welfare claimants that make up the Royal family and why they have the ability to avoid taxes that their subjects are subjected to.
To be fair that's not too far removed from the 'privileges' our elected reps enjoy
At least they are elected.
That makes it even worse IMO.

I'm no fan of the RF (an anachronism) but when I look at our cohort of elected encumbents and air apparents I just think, oh well, so what

vikingaero

11,244 posts

176 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
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I'm on the fence about the personalities in the Royal Family - some great, some morons - much like any other family.

But I do see their worth in terms of a sales force and tourism trap for UK PLC.

Vanden Saab

14,806 posts

81 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
Zarco said:
MesoForm said:
It's the same issue that the likes of Canada and Australia have with replacing the head of state - we've already got a decision making process that seems to run the country OK so if you replace the monarchy with a different head of state the options are:
1) head of state with some power, in which case you need to take decision making powers away from what we already have and all the potential pitfalls that come with that
2) head of state with no power, which is what we have so why bother changing it? Who in their right mind would stand for election to this kind of position? If you're that bothered about having something other than a monarch as the head of state just have a Labrador instead.
3) No head of state.

Admittedly I haven't given this a great deal of thought, but I don't see why we need one. Just make it the PM.

I'd happily see the back of the monarchy.
Good idea, instead of running the country they can spend half their time dealing with the heads of states of hundreds of other countries...

MKnight702

3,199 posts

221 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
phil-sti said:
yes, love the royal family.
Seconded. They bring a lot of money and goodwill to the country whereas an elected President would be nothing but additional cost with no benefit. Those that think the Royal Family spend all day swanning around with hot and cold running servants to deal with their every whim need to look at Me Me as this is what she thought, but when she found out that there is actual work she was off like a scalded cat. The Queen was working up to just before she died, would any of you want this for your granny or mother?

oyster

12,868 posts

255 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
Aware that I'm posting on a thread about it, but I can't see what motivates people to feel so strongly about this subject.

If the Monarchy were abandoned today, our lives would not be improved tomorrow.
There are far more risks in dismantling it than there are upsides.

As I see it, it's just part of our fabric as a nation. Maybe it will be gone in 50 years and our fabric will be different.
But for now, I just don't see the point of strong republicanism.

Timothy Bucktu

15,705 posts

207 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
Find me a country that doesn't have a ruling elite sponging off the state?
If we get rid of the Monarchy, they will be replaced with the same difference. But we will have stupidity lost pomp and ceremony that is one of our strengths and makes so many people very proud to be British. We are world renowned for it, and long may it continue.
So lefty nutters who are hell bent on destruction of our history...bog off.