'Should we ditch and switch the royals?' Poll Discussion

Luigi_03

I wonder how many of the "anti bowers and scrapers" have met a member of the Royal Family? Or a tycoon, for that matter?

I was once fortunate enough to have lunch with the Duke of Edinburgh, who is an accomplished conversationalist, an intelligent and interesting man and someone who does not stand on ceremony. In my experience, those who most value "bowing and scraping" deserve it least!

Luigi_03

Cliffga

Firstly let me address the privilege argument, anyone born in the UK is privileged. We all
have legal rights to political and religious freedom, health care, welfare state, education etc.
We even have a right to fresh clean water, you try and explain that you have that privilege to somebody born in a 3rd
World nation.

Secondly, as we all know our "elected" leaders are less then we would like. Now it seems the people who
get to the top of the political pole are the very ones who are not fit to do the job. With a monarch as Head of State
they represent the country, not some half brained imbecile who cannot string a sentence together. Plus when
the PM is knotting his tie in the morning he knows that he is not top dog. Just the right antidote.

Also, consider that HM and the POW pay way more in income tax then they receive, also the amount they
do get is to do their duties on behalf of the UK. These costs would not diminish with a president.

If you want a multi faith, multi cultural society you must have a figurehead that inspires as one, non partisan
and above the day to day. When you see HM on a walk about just see the broad cross section of people
having a flag wave.

One day we will learn not to pick at the fabric as when it is gone all you will have is a blank wall and no way of
putting back together.

toshkininny

we'd save a lot of trees - newspapers would only be half their normal size, as there wouldn't be any royalty to talk rubbish about!

mcgazz

"How do peple propose to get rid of the monarchy? The French or Russian way?"
I would personally like to see the monarchy go when the Queen dies. Elizabeth II should become Elizabeth the Last.

"We give them enough wealth so that they are not tempted by corruption"
Rich people are often the most corrupt. Plenty of people who lived under Third World dictators can attest to that.

"Disrespect others and you in turn will earn no respect."
I fully agree about manners and respect. However, I fail to see what the monarchy have done to earn our respect.

"Secondly, as we all know our "elected" leaders are less then we would like. Now it seems the people who get to the top of the political pole are the very ones who are not fit to do the job."
That's no argument for having an unelected head of state. By your reasoning, as the government are incompetent, we should replace all of them with an unelected cabal of toffs.

"If you want a multi faith, multi cultural society you must have a figurehead that inspires as one, non partisan and above the day to day."
Very true, and something a good President should aspire to. The head of Anglican church, constituionally barred from marrying a member of another faith, is not suited to head a multi-faith, multicultural society.

"One day we will learn not to pick at the fabric"
They said that when people proposed: ending slavery; giving Catholics the vote; giving women the vote; ending child labour...

Martin_Edney

grahamm wrote: »

To those who want to get rid of the Royals, my response is to ask you to consider what it would be like with President Tony Blair the First.

And then consider what it would have been like with President Maggie Thatcher the First!

This is often trotted out as a reason to keep the royal family. My response is "what difference did the existence of the royal family make to the actions of PM Tony Blair or PM Margaret Thatcher? Would things really have been any different if we hadn't had a royal family?".

We already have a presidential system of government in practice, if not in name, and the royal family have no real influence either way on our politics or on my life.

How can we ever claim to be a democratic country when we are subjects, rather than citizens?

sluggy1967

No-one should be put in a position of power simply through an accident of birth.

Oh, and who really trusts Prince Charles to do his constitutional duties when he doesn't even put his own toothpaste on his toothbrush? What a pathetic excuse for human beings they all are, and as for telling William and Harry that their mother had just been killed in a car crash and then packing them off to Sunday Service in Church where her name isn't mentioned in the prayers, I call that child abuse personally.

Martin_Edney

tonyabacus wrote: »

No one suggests that you should 'bow and scrape' to anyone

Wrong wrong wrong! That's exactly what you have to do in the presence of the queen. Bow or curtsey on your way in, only speak when spoken to, never turn your back to her, etc. etc.

This is more than just normal manners, or treating someone as you would wish to be treated. This is holding someone as being better and more important than the rest of us, which is exactly the kind of reason why the whole institution needs to be got rid of.

Martin_Edney

A quick rhetorical question:

Pro-royalists often say: "If you got rid of the royal family, what would you replace it with, who would you have as head of state?"

My response is "Why do we have to have a replacement? Why do we need a head of state? I'm sure I could live my life quite adequately without a president or queen ruling over me. I've never understood why we have to have a figurehead."

Suggestions please...

airtrack12000

If it only cost 39p a year (lees than that of a newspaper) as pointed out by a previous poller, then its cheap.

But, I have an option as to whether i spend MY money on a newspaper where as I am forced to keep the royals, 95% of whom do absolutley nothing!!

Getting rid of them does not mean they are replaced by another figurehead or a president so, if they want to stay ...fine, but they have to pay their own way, and no offence Ma'am but you are not better than me therfore I wont be bowing or showing you any more respect than I would your "average" man in the street!:D

toshkininny

Martin_Edney wrote: »

Wrong wrong wrong! That's exactly what you have to do in the presence of the queen. Bow or curtsey on your way in, only speak when spoken to, never turn your back to her, etc. etc.

This is more than just normal manners, or treating someone as you would wish to be treated. This is holding someone as being better and more important than the rest of us, which is exactly the kind of reason why the whole institution needs to be got rid of.

It's tradition, and if you are meeting the queen, you are there because you want to be there!

The crowds that turn out for state occasions, e.g. those that paid their respects to the queen mother when she died proves that there are still alot of people out there that value the royal family.