Abolish the Monarchy?
08 February 2007, 11:03 AM
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Abolish the Monarchy?
I see the existence of the monarchy as a symbol of much that is wrong with British society and its political system today.
The monarchy is central to the British way of life. We are expected to stand and sing every time we hear the dread strains of 'God Save the Queen'.
But what exactly is it about the royal family that we are supposed to respect? How have they contributed to improving the human condition?
Perhaps we are supposed to respect the literary achievements of the Duchess of York, author of Budgie the Helicopter, or of Princess Michael of Kent, twice nominated as plagiarist of the year. Maybe we are meant to respect the artistic achievements of the theatrical teaboy, Prince Edward. Is it Prince Charles' breakthrough in the science of conversing with wormkind which makes him a man to be respected?
The Queen herself is said to be 'universally' respected. That is little wonder, considering her achievements. She has managed to sit on the throne for 40 years without once going to the toilet during a public engagement. And, with the help of only several hundred nannies, cooks and servants, and the support of a mere fortune in TAX-FREE HANDOUTS, she has raised four children to be deadbeats in their own right.
There is nothing about the royals themselves that could be considered worthy of the public respect which they demand.
Abolish the Monarchy- feckin right I would
DJ Vinyl Ritchie............... I'd give them all the Saddam treatment.....seriously, hang the feckwits
The monarchy is central to the British way of life. We are expected to stand and sing every time we hear the dread strains of 'God Save the Queen'.
But what exactly is it about the royal family that we are supposed to respect? How have they contributed to improving the human condition?
Perhaps we are supposed to respect the literary achievements of the Duchess of York, author of Budgie the Helicopter, or of Princess Michael of Kent, twice nominated as plagiarist of the year. Maybe we are meant to respect the artistic achievements of the theatrical teaboy, Prince Edward. Is it Prince Charles' breakthrough in the science of conversing with wormkind which makes him a man to be respected?
The Queen herself is said to be 'universally' respected. That is little wonder, considering her achievements. She has managed to sit on the throne for 40 years without once going to the toilet during a public engagement. And, with the help of only several hundred nannies, cooks and servants, and the support of a mere fortune in TAX-FREE HANDOUTS, she has raised four children to be deadbeats in their own right.
There is nothing about the royals themselves that could be considered worthy of the public respect which they demand.
Abolish the Monarchy- feckin right I would
DJ Vinyl Ritchie............... I'd give them all the Saddam treatment.....seriously, hang the feckwits
08 February 2007, 11:13 AM
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I see the existence of the monarchy as a symbol of much that is wrong with British society and its political system today.
The monarchy is central to the British way of life. We are expected to stand and sing every time we hear the dread strains of 'God Save the Queen'.
But what exactly is it about the royal family that we are supposed to respect? How have they contributed to improving the human condition?
Perhaps we are supposed to respect the literary achievements of the Duchess of York, author of Budgie the Helicopter, or of Princess Michael of Kent, twice nominated as plagiarist of the year. Maybe we are meant to respect the artistic achievements of the theatrical teaboy, Prince Edward. Is it Prince Charles' breakthrough in the science of conversing with wormkind which makes him a man to be respected?
The Queen herself is said to be 'universally' respected. That is little wonder, considering her achievements. She has managed to sit on the throne for 40 years without once going to the toilet during a public engagement. And, with the help of only several hundred nannies, cooks and servants, and the support of a mere fortune in TAX-FREE HANDOUTS, she has raised four children to be deadbeats in their own right.
There is nothing about the royals themselves that could be considered worthy of the public respect which they demand.
Abolish the Monarchy- feckin right I would
DJ Vinyl Ritchie............... I'd give them all the Saddam treatment.....seriously, hang the feckwits
The monarchy is central to the British way of life. We are expected to stand and sing every time we hear the dread strains of 'God Save the Queen'.
But what exactly is it about the royal family that we are supposed to respect? How have they contributed to improving the human condition?
Perhaps we are supposed to respect the literary achievements of the Duchess of York, author of Budgie the Helicopter, or of Princess Michael of Kent, twice nominated as plagiarist of the year. Maybe we are meant to respect the artistic achievements of the theatrical teaboy, Prince Edward. Is it Prince Charles' breakthrough in the science of conversing with wormkind which makes him a man to be respected?
The Queen herself is said to be 'universally' respected. That is little wonder, considering her achievements. She has managed to sit on the throne for 40 years without once going to the toilet during a public engagement. And, with the help of only several hundred nannies, cooks and servants, and the support of a mere fortune in TAX-FREE HANDOUTS, she has raised four children to be deadbeats in their own right.
There is nothing about the royals themselves that could be considered worthy of the public respect which they demand.
Abolish the Monarchy- feckin right I would
DJ Vinyl Ritchie............... I'd give them all the Saddam treatment.....seriously, hang the feckwits
Les
08 February 2007, 11:22 AM
#4
The monarchy does actually do a lot of very good work that goes unpublicised. (Unlike that media slag Diana)
The problem is that people don't respect the monarchy and the great institutions in this country. Nowadays everyone is out for quick gain with no thought to the sustainability and consequences. Additionally there is the socialist disease that tries to make us believe we are all equal, when clearly we are not.
A nation needs good leadership and stewardship and that is traditionally what the upper classes and the monarchy have provided. They are rich already and often the wealth has been in their families for generations. So often they are much more interested in maintaining the standards and qualities that this country was built on.
Unfortunately our current leaders have come from the middles classes where greed rules and making quick money is more important than what this nation will look like in 100 years time.
Personally I would not like to see a country without tradition, with soul-less politicians and committees.
The problem is that people don't respect the monarchy and the great institutions in this country. Nowadays everyone is out for quick gain with no thought to the sustainability and consequences. Additionally there is the socialist disease that tries to make us believe we are all equal, when clearly we are not.
A nation needs good leadership and stewardship and that is traditionally what the upper classes and the monarchy have provided. They are rich already and often the wealth has been in their families for generations. So often they are much more interested in maintaining the standards and qualities that this country was built on.
Unfortunately our current leaders have come from the middles classes where greed rules and making quick money is more important than what this nation will look like in 100 years time.
Personally I would not like to see a country without tradition, with soul-less politicians and committees.
08 February 2007, 11:22 AM
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It's not snobbery, it's basically the truth. Whilst a full rebellion and hangings/beheadings may be going a bit too far, I agree in principle.
What have the Royals done for the man in the street? Nothing. We (the British) are a laughing stock! We should have removed them a long time ago.
So, Les, you actually respect them?
08 February 2007, 11:24 AM
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I think the royals are great. The true embodiment of eccentric Britain.
It's just one of the many things that sets us apart from other countries.
If you abolished the monarchy, who would you have as President, Tony Blair, Ken Livingstone?
It's just one of the many things that sets us apart from other countries.
If you abolished the monarchy, who would you have as President, Tony Blair, Ken Livingstone?
08 February 2007, 11:28 AM
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The problem is that people don't respect the monarchy and the great institutions in this country. Nowadays everyone is out for quick gain with no thought to the sustainability and consequences. Additionally there is the socialist disease that tries to make us believe we are all equal, when clearly we are not.
Of course they do do some good work, but I rather have the money we pay them every year to invest in hospitals, schools etc.
I could go on .............
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08 February 2007, 11:32 AM
#8
Some are more equal than others - am I more equal than you? The monarchy is outdated. Years ago, people believed that the Royals were decended from God, nowdays I think that if you asked if people believed that, you'd be laughed at.
Of course they do do some good work, but I rather have the money we pay them every year to invest in hospitals, schools etc.
I could go on .............
Of course they do do some good work, but I rather have the money we pay them every year to invest in hospitals, schools etc.
I could go on .............
08 February 2007, 11:37 AM
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08 February 2007, 11:39 AM
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There are lots of expenses besides paying them their 'allowance', who do you think picks up the bill for security, entertainment etc etc.
Sorry, but whilst I wish them no harm, I think the whole system is out dated.
08 February 2007, 11:40 AM
#12
I'm sorry but people who just come out and say "ban the monarchy" and use excuses such as "what have they ever done for us" and "money would be better spent" are just vindictive, naive idiots that have no idea of this countries history or how the Royal family currently operates or is funded.
They are also small minded because they don't realise the brand value of the Royal Britain.
Now I would argue that you have a point if we were actually ruled by the monarchy but we aren't and they are nothing more in reality than a decoration.
They are also small minded because they don't realise the brand value of the Royal Britain.
Now I would argue that you have a point if we were actually ruled by the monarchy but we aren't and they are nothing more in reality than a decoration.
08 February 2007, 11:41 AM
#14
Monies to support the Queen in the exercise of her duties as head of state (the Head of State Expenditure) of the United Kingdom come from the Civil List; a return of a small portion of the revenue from the Crown Lands that are surrendered by the Monarch to Parliament at the beginning of each reign, all Crown Land being administered by The Crown Estates, an institution answerable to parliament. In the 2003-04 fiscal year the amount surrendered was £176.9 million, where the Head of State Expenditure was £36 million. The Head of State Expenditure does not include the cost of security.
Only the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh receive funding from the Civil List. The Duke receives £359,000 per year.
Only some members of the Royal Family carry out public duties; these individuals receive an annual payment known as a Parliamentary Annuity, the funds being supplied to cover office costs.
The Duke of York: £249,000 per annum
The Earl of Wessex: £141,000 per annum
The Princess Royal: £228,000 per annum
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester: £175,000 per annum
The Duke and Duchess of Kent: £236,000 per annum
Princess Alexandra £225,000 per annum
These amounts are repaid by The Queen from her private funds.
Though always voluntarily subject to the Value Added Tax and other indirect taxes, the Queen agreed to pay taxes on income and capital gains from 1992, although the details of this arrangement are both voluntary and secret. At the same time it was announced that only the Queen and Prince Philip would receive civil list payments. Since 1993 the Queen's personal income has been taxed as any other Briton. The Queen's private estate (eg shareholdings, personal jewellery, Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle) will be subject to Inheritance Tax, however bequests from Sovereign to Sovereign are exempt.
Only the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh receive funding from the Civil List. The Duke receives £359,000 per year.
Only some members of the Royal Family carry out public duties; these individuals receive an annual payment known as a Parliamentary Annuity, the funds being supplied to cover office costs.
The Duke of York: £249,000 per annum
The Earl of Wessex: £141,000 per annum
The Princess Royal: £228,000 per annum
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester: £175,000 per annum
The Duke and Duchess of Kent: £236,000 per annum
Princess Alexandra £225,000 per annum
These amounts are repaid by The Queen from her private funds.
Though always voluntarily subject to the Value Added Tax and other indirect taxes, the Queen agreed to pay taxes on income and capital gains from 1992, although the details of this arrangement are both voluntary and secret. At the same time it was announced that only the Queen and Prince Philip would receive civil list payments. Since 1993 the Queen's personal income has been taxed as any other Briton. The Queen's private estate (eg shareholdings, personal jewellery, Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle) will be subject to Inheritance Tax, however bequests from Sovereign to Sovereign are exempt.
08 February 2007, 11:45 AM
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08 February 2007, 11:50 AM
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Well the truth is they actually do a lot of work for charities, hospices, hospitals and are patrons for huge number of organisations. Most of this goes unpublished but all you need do is look at the diaries of the royals to see how busy they are.
08 February 2007, 11:57 AM
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you dont have to respect the individuals themselves, but we should all respect the institution...its what made this union what it is today (please ignore the irony...!!!)
08 February 2007, 11:57 AM
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It's not snobbery, it's basically the truth. Whilst a full rebellion and hangings/beheadings may be going a bit too far, I agree in principle.
What have the Royals done for the man in the street? Nothing. We (the British) are a laughing stock! We should have removed them a long time ago.
So, Les, you actually respect them?
What have the Royals done for the man in the street? Nothing. We (the British) are a laughing stock! We should have removed them a long time ago.
So, Les, you actually respect them?
Les
08 February 2007, 12:02 PM
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Wow, listing their income isn't what I said. There are many more hidden costs.
When I was in the Royal Navy we had a visit by the Princess Royal. We (several hundred trainees) had to clean the establishment - to a point where there were no fallen leaves on the ground - because she is scared of leaves. It's beyond belief isn't it. We spent 3-4 hours in the evening cleaning the place, removing the leaves from the grounds and then again in the morning. She drove through at such a rate that she didn't have time to see any leaves anyway!
As for our history, it's just that - history. Leave it where it is and move on, just like this country should.
Oh, and I don't stand for the national anthem either!
08 February 2007, 12:04 PM
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Personally, as a Scot, I'm not that fussed either way. If they are ultimately in a net gain position for the UK, then good on them.
If the reality is that they are not, then perhaps its time to move on.
08 February 2007, 12:08 PM
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LOL
Interesting that someone so quick to deride the English cricket team is so
supportive of the Royal Family and a heritage that isn't even his though
Interesting that someone so quick to deride the English cricket team is so
supportive of the Royal Family and a heritage that isn't even his though
08 February 2007, 12:14 PM
#27
The Royals are far better value for money than the inept, self-interested civillians in the house of commons.
If you don't like the Monachy, I suggest you leave to live in one of the rebel colonies.
If you don't like the Monachy, I suggest you leave to live in one of the rebel colonies.
08 February 2007, 12:15 PM
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08 February 2007, 12:15 PM
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I wish the Fulfords were the UKs royal family. At least then we'd get some straight talking foul mouthed toff telling the rest of the world exactly what we think of them 
08 February 2007, 12:35 PM
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Why? Do all the muslims who live here, but object to this countrys rules and regulations have to leave as well?
Oh, I seeeeeee