Monarchy in the UK

Abernathy · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2012 6:50 pm

I read a piece by Peter Wilby in The Grauniad today in which Wilby puts his finger onit with respect to the bewildering question of why the UK's royal parasites remain so popular, Brenda in particular (though Chazza not so much, it seems:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/may/27/forget-queens-jubilee-kneesup-magna-carta

Quote:

According to a Guardian/ICM poll last week, the royal family is more popular than ever, with only 22% believing Britain would be better off without a monarchy, and as few as 10% preferring, on the Queen's death, an elected head of state rather than a King Charles or William. As Elizabeth II's supporters never tire of pointing out, the unelected monarch is far more popular than any elected politician.

That is unsurprising. The Queen never has to say anything controversial, allocate resources between competing claims, or take decisions that provoke disagreement. If your job is confined to uttering bland pleasantries, shaking hands and distributing gongs, it is quite difficult to be unpopular. Since you are exempt from freedom of information laws, you are not at risk of having your expenditure on moats and duck ponds highlighted in newspapers. Since you took office without election, you do not have to contend with the disappointed or disgruntled supporters of your rivals and, since nobody is paid to lead an opposition to you, you do not have to face weekly questions about how you discharge your duties.

He is bang on. He goes on to point out that Chazza is a bit less popular purely because he has had the gall to have opinions about stuff - albeit just architecture and organic farming and biscuits and stuff like that.

To make my own position clear, I take the view that the royal family is a repugnant expression of privilege, unearned wealth, and inequality, a disgusting remnant of feudalism that should have no place in 21st century society, which we would do well to sweep away.

I do agree with Wiby's suggestion that instead of fawning arselicking jubilees, we ought to be celebrating anniversaries of stuff like Magna Carta and universal suffrage.

The Red Arrow · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2012 6:55 pm

I'll play Devil's advocate. What's the Alternative? A Cameron as de facto head of state? President BoJo?

oboogie · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2012 6:58 pm

The Red Arrow wrote:

I'll play Devil's advocate. What's the Alternative? A Cameron as de facto head of state? President BoJo?

If they attained those positions through fair and democratic elections then I would accept that.

Tubby Isaacs · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2012 6:58 pm

Some low key chap like in Germany?

Abernathy · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2012 6:59 pm

In many ways, I don't care what the alternative is, but I get where you're comng from.

Sometimes I think "where's the harm. in it?" and that it might be okay to carry on monarching, but that soon passes.

Don't see why we can't have an arrangement broadly similar to Ireland's, withtheir elected president.

lord_kobel · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2012 7:04 pm

The Red Arrow wrote:

I'll play Devil's advocate. What's the Alternative? A Cameron as de facto head of state? President BoJo?

How is that that much different from what we have now?

oboogie · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2012 7:09 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:

Some low key chap like in Germany?

What have you got against him?

Daley Mayle · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2012 7:09 pm

I'm ambivalent to the whole lot of them (and there are lots). If Ford Prefect was around he could consult The Guide and it would probably confirm my opinion that they're mostly harmless. Apart from Prince Edward, natch; he looks like the kind of bloke who would have ended up being shot by a police marksman.

The Red Arrow · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2012 7:12 pm

(a) But in sleb-obssed Uk we'd get a pop idol style show culminating in a Peter Andre type as head of state. Much as I'd love to give the job to Stephen Fry.

(b) Imagine a monarchy with political powers.

Tubby Isaacs · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2012 7:14 pm

oboogie wrote:

Tubby Isaacs wrote:

Some low key chap like in Germany?

What have you got against him?

Nothing. Low key is a compliment.

I know nothing about him but he's clearly not a Johnson-style self-publicist. And you don't need to be to lay wreaths, sign treaties etc.

oboogie · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2012 7:24 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:

oboogie wrote:

Tubby Isaacs wrote:

Some low key chap like in Germany?

What have you got against him?

Nothing. Low key is a compliment.

I know nothing about him but he's clearly not a Johnson-style self-publicist. And you don't need to be to lay wreaths, sign treaties etc.

Ah sorry, I misinterpreted you. :roll:

I knew little about him too, so I looked him up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joachim_Ga ... _reception
Seems like a good bloke.

Malcolm Armsteen · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2012 7:34 pm

lord_kobel wrote:

The Red Arrow wrote:

I'll play Devil's advocate. What's the Alternative? A Cameron as de facto head of state? President BoJo?

How is that that much different from what we have now?

Are you serious?

Tubby Isaacs · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2012 7:39 pm

No probs, Oboogie.

If only we could do that no frills stuff here. We might actually get some important things done.

spoonman · **Joined:** Tue May 11, 2010 2:27 pm **Posts:** 896

The President of Ireland, while elected by a poll, is essentially a figurehead with very limited constitutional powers, certainly very different to say the presidents of France or the USA, and by the sounds of it more in common with Germany. While political parties can effectively nominate a candidate by ensuring they have enough TDs to support a candidacy, whoever is elected essentially plays a non-partisan role (like the House of Commons Speaker). Essentially their role is not dissimilar to that of the British Monarch in being the country's highest representative, welcoming dignitaries, attending opening events etc.

Abernathy · **Posted:** Mon May 28, 2012 8:12 pm

Yeah, that sounds just fine. All the "advantages" of Brenda but legitimately and democratically elected.

Monarchy in the UK

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