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

w.dws

I feel we'd have a more stable form of government with the Royals in charge rather than politicians who change their opinions, policies and loyalties as often as the rest of us change our socks , the Royals also cost us rather less than the houses of parliament and its occupants.

Deals_2

money i cannot see the point of them being in place considering that they also aren't the rightful heirs ot the throne anyway. and i do agree that politicians are just as bad. in yesterday's papers the liberals have come in with some new policies as they say they are watching what is being said in the polls so that is the first time i have seen some progress but i cannot see what they shoudl benefit from a tax free pension etc when all the others in the country do not . these are modern times.
i think the royals make enough money with their duchy stuff and their properties and the tv programme than have to pay for them too! give that money to single mums, help families, the elderny, improve trains and safety. reorganise the police for less paperwork and more on the job work. help the 18-25 age group to find jobs and try them out (i find it ridiculous that over 25 are given the option to try out jobs and wont lose out on their benefits but nothing for the under 25s. Not everyone wants to go to Uni!!
help improve MRSA with proper hospital cleaning and the list goes on ....

MS63

Deals wrote: »

... give that money to single mums, help families, the elderny, improve trains and safety. reorganise the police for less paperwork and more on the job work. help the 18-25 age group to find jobs and try them out ...
help improve MRSA with proper hospital cleaning and the list goes on ....

Just how far do you think £7.9 million per annum is going to stretch? It is a drop in the ocean compared to the tens (hundreds?) of billions of pounds spent in Social Security Benefits, the NHS, transport, etc.

Former_MSE_Wendy

Results: This poll ran between 11-18 Sept. Should we ditch & switch the Royals?

The civil list, which pays for the Royals to do their official work, costs UK taxpayers £7.9 million a year. On the other hand, the Royal family pay tax on their income, which doesn't just come from the list.

Whatever your view, as taxpayers' money contributes, it is a consumer decision, so which of these is closest to your view of what should happen with the Royal family?

A. Put them back in charge. Ditch all PMs & let them rule. 11% (717 votes)
B. No change. It’s fine as it is. 37% (2372 votes)
C. Deconstitutionalise them. Just leave a pure figure head monarchy. 21% (1336 votes)
D. Ditch ‘em. End the monarchy forever. 30% (1928 votes)


This poll has now ended, but you can still click reply and have your say below.

Deals_2

royals cost could go to something else. i do think that they have enough money - dont you? Harry and William themselves are already worth 10 million and to this that this royal family is not even the rightful owners to the crown!

MS63 wrote: »

Just how far do you think £7.9 million per annum is going to stretch? It is a drop in the ocean compared to the tens (hundreds?) of billions of pounds spent in Social Security Benefits, the NHS, transport, etc.

Jennifer_Jane

Apart from the tourism that the royals bring in, I think people forget about the money brought in to the country by media events which are lapped up by people overseas. The revenue brought into the BBC (and ITV) by the Royal Weddings, and very, very sadly by the death of Diana and her funeral which was on TV in the country I was living in at the time for the whole day.

Also, someone mentioned Royalty in other countries, and certainly the Belgian media was full of the local Royalty when I used to live there, and I believe that Scandinavian Royalty is pretty popular too.

As for bowing and scraping, well what nonsense. Why would anybody think that you HAVE to bow and scrape to them. Also, regarding being a 'subject', my passport says I'm a British Citizen, it does not say I'm a British subject, and, of course, I'm nobody's subject. I did wonder at one of the earlier posts who said he would not allow his wife to curtsey - to my mind I think he thinks his wife is HIS subject.

(Actual phrase: "But, I just do not see the royals as been any better than any other person. I would refuse to bow, or have my wife courtsey...")

Jen
x

barron_hard_up

Well, it doesn't really matter, because I am the real king of England, and when I can finally prove it, you are all invited to dinner at the palace, bowing and scraping will be manditory..... anyone want to put themselves up for the job of prime minister? I can, according to posts in this thread, appoint anyone - how about Geoffry Boycott? I can even move the capitol up here to Yorkshire......

barron_hard_up

[quote=Jennifer_Jane;6325773_I_did_wonder_at_one_of_the_earlier_posts_who_said_he_would_not_allow his wife to curtsey - to my mind I think he thinks his wife is HIS subject.

(Actual phrase: "But, I just do not see the royals as been any better than any other person. I would refuse to bow, or have my wife courtsey...")

Jen
x[/quote]

Well, I think that was me, and let me tell you Jennifer Jayne, my wife really is her own person, and no one, including me, tells her what to do. Your assumption, couldn't be further than the truth. I would refuse to let anyone have my wife courtey, as far as I am concerned, it would be royalty's privilige to meet her.

Anyway, there is only one thing worse than a mysoganist, and that's a woman who won't do as she's told....

wyncyspyder

tonyabacus wrote: »

In response to the question above, no I am not from a privileged background but grew up on a council estate and in a working class family and very proud of it.

However I was taught by my parents, teachers and peers that good manners and showing respect for other people are some of the basics in society. There are already many signs where lack of these elements is affecting our daily lives showing how this leads to a degeneration of morals resulting in abuse, violence and death to innocent victims.

No one suggests that you should 'bow and scrape' to anyone, but there is a thing called etiquette. Simple etiquette is to shake hands when meeting a person, to have the courtesy to listen when someone speaks to you, and to have the courtesy to acknowledge the standing of others in the community, which includes each and every one of us. Treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself and remember as I was taught, what goes around comes around. Disrespect others and you in turn will earn no respect.

None of us have control over the background into which we are born, not even the queen, so before criticising perhaps she should be asked whether she enjoys the life she has to lead. It may look a bed of roses from the outside, but as often is the case, the 'grass is not always greener'. I have met a number of people that feel they are far better off, than being in the 'goldfish bowl' that many others in prominent positions find themselves, for there are always people prepared to throw stones, no matter what your own intentions.

Instead of always looking for the negatives in a situation, try looking for the positives, you may be surprised at what you see in your own as well as the lives of others.

As to the royals value, that is a topic that will always raise hot debate. The fact remains that they create an interest that brings people from far and wide which we should be proud about. Look around and try to find some national pride, it seems sadly lacking at the moment. There will always be those in society that want to 'rid' us of anything that stands for success or achievement. When they have succeeded at the first thing they go on the hunt for the next, to what greater benefit?

I wait to see the day when any of the royals will be seen holding a gun to someone's head saying 'You WILL like me', until then I will stick by the principles instilled in me, not least recognising their position in our society and
paying them the social courtesy and respect that I do to others.

At the head of every family there is someone who is looked upon as the figurehead, they don't always ask for that responsibility. Nonetheless that is their role and they should be given respect for being in that position and let's face a fact of life, every Captain has a few more privileges than the Cabin boy!

Aye, but, when the Captain abuses those privileges, it's not so much fun for the Cabin Boy - I mean how many Cabin Boys get to fly to their mates' parties in army helicopters? How many Cabin Boys get to travel around the world at the taxpayers' expense? How many Cabin Boys get to attend lavish and entirely meaningless ceremonies wearing hugely expensive medieval costumes? And, frankly, what exactly do we need the Captain for anyway - since he doesn't even command any authority? What's she or he the Captain of exactly? I mean, if you ask me, we must have a screw loose to keep providing this anachronistic family with their extravagant lifestyle. We make fun of some of the African kingdoms with their kings and queens, but, in all honesty, how are their systems of monarchy any more laughable or absurd than our own?