The problem is that the minor royals of this generation are the dukes, earls, marquises, etc. of future generations.
It's amazing how much land they own across the country today. For example, as Duke of Cornwall, Prince Charles owns much of the land of Cornwall; it's his primary source of income. Locals don't own the land; they pay rent to the prince for the privilege of working it. By all accounts, he's a fair landlord who cares passionately about farming; however, some lords and ladies who own land in Cornwall live in Spain on the earnings and couldn't care a hoot for the locals. In the town where I grew up, a local lord owns all the shops in the high street. He's pushed up the rents so much that half of them are now boarded up.
I have great respect for British history and for the stability that the monarchy has brought through the centuries. We need go no further than George VI to see a king who rallied the country during time of war. (Unfortunately, though, we need go no further than Edward VIII to find a king who was a traitor to his country.) I do feel, however, that the institution of royalty has served its time and is now an unnecessary burden on the country.
I might add that the Church of England is also a huge land-owner. It should have sold its wealth years ago and used it to serve the poor and under-privileged of this great nation.
It's amazing how much land they own across the country today. For example, as Duke of Cornwall, Prince Charles owns much of the land of Cornwall; it's his primary source of income. Locals don't own the land; they pay rent to the prince for the privilege of working it. By all accounts, he's a fair landlord who cares passionately about farming; however, some lords and ladies who own land in Cornwall live in Spain on the earnings and couldn't care a hoot for the locals. In the town where I grew up, a local lord owns all the shops in the high street. He's pushed up the rents so much that half of them are now boarded up.
I have great respect for British history and for the stability that the monarchy has brought through the centuries. We need go no further than George VI to see a king who rallied the country during time of war. (Unfortunately, though, we need go no further than Edward VIII to find a king who was a traitor to his country.) I do feel, however, that the institution of royalty has served its time and is now an unnecessary burden on the country.
I might add that the Church of England is also a huge land-owner. It should have sold its wealth years ago and used it to serve the poor and under-privileged of this great nation.
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C
Coding Monkey
- Original Poster
- #3
No. Where's the democracy involved? Although, in practice, their powers are basically non-existent, it's the money that they're entitled to through heritage, not success, that I have a problem with. The same can be said of the Lords. Remove the Monarchy, remove the Lords and move toward a Senate/House of Representatives system where each chamber can override the next in a democratically elected and fair system
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No.
They have a value as a tourist attraction but that's all.
I like to see all their privileges that we pay for removed and I'd like them on the same tax footing as me and you.
I'd also like to see the back of all the bowing and scraping people have to do in front of them and I do not wish to be 'honoured' by them. Deferrence is dead.
I want the House of Lords replaced by a democratic organisation and I want to be a citizen not a serf.
And I'd like it on my desk, close of business Friday. Thank you.
They have a value as a tourist attraction but that's all.
I like to see all their privileges that we pay for removed and I'd like them on the same tax footing as me and you.
I'd also like to see the back of all the bowing and scraping people have to do in front of them and I do not wish to be 'honoured' by them. Deferrence is dead.
I want the House of Lords replaced by a democratic organisation and I want to be a citizen not a serf.
And I'd like it on my desk, close of business Friday. Thank you.
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J
Jayne
- Original Poster
- #6
Yes,
I big chunk of our tourist trade come here for the Royals and most of them do a really good job for charity too. The Queen still has powers if she chooses to use them and often does if she thinks there is a need too. They employ 100's of people all over the country and they are the symbol of the UK. It would feel strange without the Queen on Christmas day.
Jayne
I big chunk of our tourist trade come here for the Royals and most of them do a really good job for charity too. The Queen still has powers if she chooses to use them and often does if she thinks there is a need too. They employ 100's of people all over the country and they are the symbol of the UK. It would feel strange without the Queen on Christmas day.
Jayne
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Coding Monkey
- Original Poster
- #7
Jayne said:Yes,
I big chunk of our tourist trade come here for the Royals and most of them do a really good job for charity too. The Queen still has powers if she chooses to use them and often does if she thinks there is a need too. They employ 100's of people all over the country and they are the symbol of the UK. It would feel strange without the Queen on Christmas day.
Jayne
Yet the amount bought in by tourism compared to the amount they actually have, tax free, makes that statement a redundant proposition.
The Queen basically as no power. It would be her last day as Queen if she refused to sign a bill, and I long for that day. All powers are within the Prime Minister, although because of a lack of written constitution, there is nothing in writing to declare this. It could be seen to go back to Queen Victoria when, in 1880, she didn't want Benjamin Disraeli to lose his position as Prime Minister to Gladstone and so as she attempted to overrule it. Needless to say, it failed. Even the power to declare war now resides in the Prime Minister, as you clearly witnessed during Iraq. If you truly believe she has power, perhaps those with an objection to Iraq should take it up with her, as surely she could have stopped it - and it is most obvious that she had an objection to it - if she had any formal powers.
I'd also add that for anyone going with the "it's tradition" statement should know that slavery wasn't abolished in England until 1833, and nearly 30 years later in America. That was a good tradition! Maybe we should have kept that one too.
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Well, I dont think we need a Royal Family. What do they represent exactly ? Are they a good representaion of British culture and modern day way of life ?
They do bring in money from tourism but I am not sure there is a lot left from this when you deduct their salaries, estate upkeep and whatever else we give to them from our taxes !
Take the Queen mother for example. Her castle in the North of Scotland is worth a fortune and do you know how many Royals have been there since she died - 1 - Prince Charles and it was for 1 night ! So instead it sits there, gets a few thousand visitors in the summer and we pay for everything else.
When the Queen went to Paris in 2004 for to celebrate her alliance it cost over a million of the UKs money. She went for 4 days !
I dont have a problem with aboloshing the Lords either and setting up a Senate/house of representatives system.
There are a lot of things in my opinion that seperate the EU countries from eachother and without the Royal Family that would stay the same.
Blood pressure rising......:wink:
Jacqui
They do bring in money from tourism but I am not sure there is a lot left from this when you deduct their salaries, estate upkeep and whatever else we give to them from our taxes !
Take the Queen mother for example. Her castle in the North of Scotland is worth a fortune and do you know how many Royals have been there since she died - 1 - Prince Charles and it was for 1 night ! So instead it sits there, gets a few thousand visitors in the summer and we pay for everything else.
When the Queen went to Paris in 2004 for to celebrate her alliance it cost over a million of the UKs money. She went for 4 days !
I dont have a problem with aboloshing the Lords either and setting up a Senate/house of representatives system.
There are a lot of things in my opinion that seperate the EU countries from eachother and without the Royal Family that would stay the same.
Blood pressure rising......:wink:
Jacqui
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U
Urban Space
- Original Poster
- #19
And now we're having a go at Iran too, apparently they 'don't need nuclear technology.'
The royal family aren't even English! They're all German.
And
That fireworks display at the New year in London cost £1 million. Now what could the goverment have done with £1 million other than spend it on something that lasts 2 mins.
Sigh!
Liam
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E
easyasit
- Original Poster
- #20
MacMyDay said:
Well macmyday, it is the same as asking therefore y are you proud of the Arsenal football team is it not? I am guessing from the post you made the other day when they won 7-0 that this is the case.
Yet y are you so proud of them? They are the same as any team arn't they?
You have no control over whether the team does well do you?
I compare west ham utd to this country, badly managed, badly run, underdogs now compared to the rest of the world, but has been and has the potential to one day be again the best team in the country.
Even of it doesn't i will remaim a west ham utd fan to my grave, becuae it means something to me
A bit like britain also means something to me.
Do you understand that?
Al
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Coding Monkey
- Original Poster
- #21
I don't support Arsenal, actually, and am certainly not proud of England when they win a football match, but enjoy watching them play. It's not a matter of concluding you're a part of the team by saying "we" when referring to your football team, but a matter of general laziness, so the association is made.
Yet, the discrepancy in your above post is your choice. I could choose to support Arsenal, but I don't. Being British is not a choice. Please read the other thread about British Day, as it's been discussed.
Yet, the discrepancy in your above post is your choice. I could choose to support Arsenal, but I don't. Being British is not a choice. Please read the other thread about British Day, as it's been discussed.
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ebonybailey said:
I disagree, people visit for the history, the places the pomp and ceremony, you can still keep all that, and open Buck house, and enter the 21st century.
Lots of people visit France, and enjoy thier history, Royal palaces and the like.
ebonybailey said:
Then companies with the Royal Stamp should pay for the Royal Family :wink: .
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