Should we abolish the Royal family?

[Gandalf]

Personally, I feel that the monarchy has no relevance within a supposedly democratic model. The BBC has been pestering me with news about the Queens speech, and quite frankly, I couldn't give a shit about anything she has to say. I think all of her homes should be seized by the state and given to the homeless and needy.

So, a simple poll. Should they stay or should they go?

[Howlin Mad Missy]

Manic Street Preachers – Charles Windsor – Free listening at Last.fm


actually can't check if that'll work

[ryanman]

Yep, they should go.
Lots of people that say they should go point out the money they cost. People counter this by pointing out the money they bring to the economy.
But for me money is irrelevent here. The amounts involved make no difference to peoples lives. Sure, if the were costing every tax payer several hundred pounds a year, or bringing in billions to the economy then money would be relevent. But they don't.

For me, its simply a matter of being morally opposed to being the 'subject' of anybody. Id prefer to be a 'citizen' thanks.
Also, i hate the class system. For me the are the living embodiment of inequality and injustice. We will not be living in a truly 'classless' nation whilst they sit in their palaces, being served by 100s of people, simply due to their 'birth right'.
Basically, i hate the monster that is the class system. They represent the head of that monster.

[Gandalf]

Manic Street Preachers – Charles Windsor – Free listening at Last.fm


actually can't check if that'll work

I particularly like the refrain of "chop, chop, chop chop off their heads". It has a very catchy feel to it....

These buggers have all these privileges given to them from birth until the very last of them dies out. And there really is no justification for it, nor even any debate raised in the media about it. It's a farce, these people have no relevance. The Queen and her hubby should be forced to leave the palaces and cook their own soup in a bungalow in Worthing. I am quite serious.

[Gandalf]

Yep, they should go.
Lots of people that say they should go point out the money they cost. People counter this by pointing out the money they bring to the economy.
But for me money is irrelevent here. The amounts involved make no difference to peoples lives. Sure, if the were costing every tax payer several hundred pounds a year, or bringing in billions to the economy then money would be relevent. But they don't.

For me, its simply a matter of being morally opposed to being the 'subject' of anybody. Id prefer to be a 'citizen' thanks.
Also, i hate the class system. For me the are the living embodiment of inequality and injustice. We will not be living in a truly 'classless' nation whilst they sit in their palaces, being served by 100s of people, simply due to their 'birth right'.
Basically, i hate the monster that is the class system. They represent the head of that monster.

Well said.

I agree with pretty much everything you say here. We should have abolished the monarchy about the same time we surrendered most of the empire.

The Royal family doesn't bring in that much money IMO. People come to look at the buildings that these privileged people live in. It really isn't for the absurdity that is the Royal family themselves. Though I am sure there are some antiquated thinkers that are into that kind of thing.

The Royal family for me makes no sense in a supposedly democratic nation. They are there by default. You cannot vote them in, nor vote them out. They are there no matter what you do. On that principle they shouldn't be there at all.

[VictorCharlie]

Is the Royal family not independently wealthy?

[Gandalf]

Is the Royal family not independently wealthy?

At an earlier news conference, Queen Elizabeth II’s accountant, Sir Alan Reid, Keeper of the Privy Purse, pleaded with the British government for an extra £1 million a year, or about $2 million, to help fix the Windsors’ roof. “The annual cost per person in the country of funding the head of state amounts to 62 pence,” he said, somewhat apologetically. “There is good evidence that we continue to pursue value for money in running the royal household.”

This is from from the New York Times in 2007....apparently not so independant.

[Gandalf]

It is estimated that the Queen has an estimated wealth of $650, 000, 000....I don't think she has really earned all that in her life time of visiting countries trying to appease heads of state and making public speeches. She has all that wealth and she can still claim 62 pence per British person to fix her repairs and buy her gandchildren presents? It's a bit much for even any apologist of the Royal family.

[HattonTheHammer]

Never

the royal family is inerent to the british way of life

As a brit i personally feel nothing prouder but knowing i am serving my queen and country as a proud upstanding citizen!

[Fenster]

What a surprise.

[HattonTheHammer]

What a surprise.

Im a capitalist and a tradionalist - know thats not exactly "cool" in this day and age. But there my beliefs.


PS:an irishman that wants rid of the royals

you dont see that everyday....

[OumaFan]

Yes. Or No. Its not up to me.

Its creepy.

[Gandalf]

Never

the royal family is inerent to the british way of life

As a brit i personally feel nothing prouder but knowing i am serving my queen and country as a proud upstanding citizen!

Inherent?

The fact that the rich should tread upon all those that stand below?

Are you serious HMH, surely this is satire?

In what way have you ever served Queen or country?

[HattonTheHammer]

Never

the royal family is inerent to the british way of life

As a brit i personally feel nothing prouder but knowing i am serving my queen and country as a proud upstanding citizen!

Inherent?

The fact that the rich should tread upon all those that stand below?

Are you serious HMH, surely this is satire?

In what way have you ever served Queen or country?

Every day of my life i get up at 5.30 in the morning to go to a job that pays way below what it should and having to hand over endless amounts of taxes

Doesnt bother me though. The royals were here long before me and they`ll be here long after me

Because a few hippy wannabe flag burners want a socialist pure society where everyone does different things yet we all live by the same means because it suits those concerned doesnt mean we all have to be of that persuasion.

Im at the bottom of the ladder yet still my beliefs far outweight my own personal gains

[Fenster]

Blimey, Hammer, you are one sad bastard mate.