Topic: Should the UK keep the Royal Family?

[Mutton Geoff]

I think the best reason for keeping the Royal Family is without them we would have a presidency i expect , and we only need to look at how that has turned out for the US right now.

The country makes a lot of money off them as well in souvenirs and tourists who want to experience our monarchy system mostly from the US ironically.

[thejbs]

I think the best reason for keeping the Royal Family is without them we would have a presidency i expect , and we only need to look at how that has turned out for the US right now.

The country makes a lot of money off them as well in souvenirs and tourists who want to experience our monarchy system mostly from the US ironically.

Having a president doesn't mean we end up like the USA. Ireland has a largely ceremonial president who is a fine ambassador to the country. Israel and Italy are the same, I think.  A ceremonial president would be a massive step up from the monarchy - cheaper to maintain and likely more representative of the country.

The country would continue to make money off the royal estates if there was no monarchy.  Maybe even more as they'd be able to open Buck Pal to the public. France doesn't need a monarchy to make money from their royal estates.

[Jiminy Cricket]

All the usual reasons people use for keeping the monarchy are shit. Imagine if we did not have a monarchy, but it was suggested that we should create one and the arguments used were the very same used to keep the present monarchy. It wouldn't happen, would it!? It - rightfully - would be thought improper and inequitable.

[L8Craig]

They’re part of the UK imo.
I think they are more positive than negative. The talk about the cost of them is a bit pointless in my eyes as if the royals were removed then the money would just go somewhere else that didn’t improve the working man and woman’s life.

[Antoine Lavoisier]

No. And the isnt a single valid reason to do so.

[thejbs]

They’re part of the UK imo.
I think they are more positive than negative. The talk about the cost of them is a bit pointless in my eyes as if the royals were removed then the money would just go somewhere else that didn’t improve the working man and woman’s life.

What do they do that's positive that an elected ceremonial president coukdnt? Genuinely curious.

From Edward 8th's passing secrets to the nazis to the queen's cayman islands offshore accounts, they're a rotten bunch. They represent a part of Britain that should be consigned to history with other relics. I can't believe that we still prop up some by bloodline who claim to be 'appointees of God' in the 21st century. They frolic and fuck their way around the world in subsidised luxury when 'commoners' go to food banks. It disgusts me.

[Spezialo]

Fuck them all off.

Queen visiting hospitals and homeless etc all while walking around with a broach costing about 2 mil.

And as if they all didnt know loads of people they knighted were pedo's.

[No666]

How can we justify a system that gives out a message that our society will always be skewed toward hereditary privilege? For the ideological reason of empowering ordinary people, of enforcing the view that what you put in matters, that you cannot simply wield executive power or societal influence because of who your father/mother was, we need to get rid.

[killer-heels]

The British are obsessed with class. They absolutely love the idea of rule and having masters that look down, whilst they can look up and admire. The people of this country need the Royal Family.

[cloggypop]

Versailles brings more money in than the Royal family does. Not saying we should guillotine them like, just give them a half decent council house and open the castles and Buckingham Palace completely to the public. They and the extended family can work as guides if they want a cushy job they'd be able to do.

[kavah]

Not saying we should guillotine them like, just give them a half decent council house and open the castles and Buckingham Palace completely to the public. They and the extended family can work as guides if they want a cushy job they'd be able to do.

Ha ha - that would be great

[KillieRed]

Robespierre Was Right.

[12C]

Ha ha - that would be great

Like National Trust wardens. A feller lives in the old McCartney gaff off Mather Ave.
Just see Charlie doing that

[Libertine]

The British are obsessed with class. They absolutely love the idea of rule and having masters that look down, whilst they can look up and admire. The people of this country need the Royal Family.

Nailed it.

I would add the obsession with celebrity in this country as a factor, making the royals a slightly high brow version of the Kardashians.

One good thing about the royal family is the insight they give you to people - anyone obsessing or frankly even showing the slightest interest in things like a wedding gets instant negative judgement from me.

[cloggypop]

Like National Trust wardens. A feller lives in the old McCartney gaff off Mather Ave.
Just see Charlie doing that

He can look after the shoes on the bouncy castle.

[Igor Tripod Biscan]

We should keep them - for the shirt sales alone

[12C]

He can look after the shoes on the bouncy castle.

Just seen the news that Charlie’s mum has told the Commonwealth Leaders she wants Charlie to be their leader when she goes.
Colonial exceptionalism lives on

[Peabee]

Just seen the news that Charlie’s mum has told the Commonwealth Leaders she wants Charlie to be their leader when she goes.
Colonial exceptionalism lives on

It’s a case or survival for her family. It’s inevitable as time passes that each country will want to have their own elected head of state. Even the U.K. despite the superb PR job the BBC are doing.

[killer-heels]

It’s a case or survival for her family. It’s inevitable as time passes that each country will want to have their own elected head of state. Even the U.K. despite the superb PR job the BBC are doing.

What is the evidence that this is the case?

[thejbs]

What is the evidence that this is the case?

I assume he's talking about the increase in Republican sentiment in Commonwealth countries over the years. More than half of the countries have become Republics since 1949 - many by referenda. Ireland was excluded from the commonwealth because it was a Republic but they've had to relax the rules over the years to keep it together.

Admittedly, the polls in the UK show no real appetite for the UK becoming a Republic.

[thejbs]

The British are obsessed with class. They absolutely love the idea of rule and having masters that look down, whilst they can look up and admire. The people of this country need the Royal Family.

I've always found it crazy the deference that many impoverished working-class Protestants in Northern Ireland have to the monarchy. It extends to other figures too. They vote mainly for the DUP and its upper-middle-class representatives.  The nationalist working class communities, by comparison, have parties made up of more working class people.

[jackh]

One good thing about the royal family is the insight they give you to people - anyone obsessing or frankly even showing the slightest interest in things like a wedding gets instant negative judgement from me.

There is that!

[Nobby Reserve]

Liz has been fairly benign, kept out of politics and looked to stay out of controversy. Much as a despise the principle of a royal family, I can't bring myself to hate her.

Her offspring are utter shitwipes, though. And once that complete bellend Charlie gets his self-important mitts on the crown, I think he'll be sticking his nose in all sorts of political stuff.

[ShakaHislop]

I assume he's talking about the increase in Republican sentiment in Commonwealth countries over the years. More than half of the countries have become Republics since 1949 - many by referenda. Ireland was excluded from the commonwealth because it was a Republic but they've had to relax the rules over the years to keep it together.

Admittedly, the polls in the UK show no real appetite for the UK becoming a Republic.

Not that surprising when all of the TV news outlets (bar Channel 4 News to an extent) are so sycophantic towards the monarchy, not to mention the right-wing papers.

[thejbs]

Not that surprising when all of the TV news outlets (bar Channel 4 News to an extent) are so sycophantic towards the monarchy, not to mention the right-wing papers.

It's much to do with how they're seen as an integral part of what it means to be 'British.'  Most people will have the attitude of 'there's no harm in them' without actually thinking much about it.  Even a cursory analysis would leave any sane person to be absolutely disgusted by it.

From BBC news this morning:

The birth will be announced with an email to the press and a celebratory tweet posted on the Kensington Palace Twitter feed.

There will also be the traditional custom of placing a framed paper proclamation on an ornate gold stand behind the iron railings of Buckingham Palace.

Ornate gold stand behind iron railings. There's a metaphor for royalty if you ever needed one.

[Libertine]

Will there be a Channel 5 documentary about people who live off the state/taxpayers money who keep having kids?

[ShakaHislop]

Will there be a Channel 5 documentary about people who live off the state/taxpayers money who keep having kids?

Markle's an immigrant too, coming over here and being given our empty homes.

[lessthanmatt]

I know it's not a novel opinion but there's no need to have so much news attention on this, with interviews and historical experts and panelists and so much TV discussion. And BBC are saying "it's clear from the crowds here that interest in a royal baby hasn't waned". Closest thing to North Korea's worship of Kim Jong-un we have. The real overwhelming opinion is that nobody gives a fuck and please get this boring shit off the news after you've mentioned in in passing, thanks

[killer-heels]

I know it's not a novel opinion but there's no need to have so much news attention on this, with interviews and historical experts and panelists and so much TV discussion. And BBC are saying "it's clear from the crowds here that interest in a royal baby hasn't waned". Closest thing to North Korea's worship of Kim Jong-un we have. The real overwhelming opinion is that nobody gives a fuck and please get this boring shit off the news after you've mentioned in in passing, thanks

People do give a shit and people of all ages like having a monarchy.

But then that is the opinion of the Great British public, who we have seen are moronic, in the majority.

[Robinred]

I know it's not a novel opinion but there's no need to have so much news attention on this, with interviews and historical experts and panelists and so much TV discussion. And BBC are saying "it's clear from the crowds here that interest in a royal baby hasn't waned". Closest thing to North Korea's worship of Kim Jong-un we have. The real overwhelming opinion is that nobody gives a fuck and please get this boring shit off the news after you've mentioned in in passing, thanks

Agree. I’m at a loss to understand why the Beeb always give Royal news such prominence. I found myself just now shouting ”get a life you silly cow!” at one of the elderly women gushing over the birth of the new royal baby.

And yet... as much as I dislike each of the Queen’s awful foursome, I cannot dislike Harry. He seems like a decent human being without his father’s vanity and sense of entitlement.

[CHOPPER]

This argument has 'raged' on for years. Should the UK embrace their past and the history of the Kings and Queens and Royalty? Or should they step forward into a modern era without the outdated system of 'Royalty'?

I hope they christen the new sprog Andrew

[OneTouchFooty]

Don’t they actually get their income through private estates and income streams rather than actual taxpayer money? I know people like the line that they are net contributors and make more money for the U.K. than take out but I’m not sure how that is measured. The tugging of the forelocks and deference to your betters is the worst aspect of it. I don’t actually mind Harry and William, you can tell they seem to find the whole thing ridiculous aswell.

[12C]

Don’t they actually get their income through private estates and income streams rather than actual taxpayer money? I know people like the line that they are net contributors and make more money for the U.K. than take out but I’m not sure how that is measured. The tugging of the forelocks and deference to your betters is the worst aspect of it. I don’t actually mind Harry and William, you can tell they seem to find the whole thing ridiculous aswell.

We, the public pay them a hefty stipend, known as the civil list. This is so that they will continue to cut ribbons and turn up as extras in parades. Their own money is vast and, as we discovered from the Panama papers, is boxed off so that they ‘pay’ tax on some of it as a token

[KillieRed]

I hope they christen the new sprog Andrew

Best suggestion is saw on Twitter: "Host Body 3"

[Keith Lard]

My instinct just knows they are all a massive massive bunch of elitist, leaching c*nts.

That’s my insightful contribution. You’re welcome 👍🏼

[thejbs]

All the talk of today being a glorious day for the black community sits uneasily with me. 

The idea that someone can be superior to another at the point of birth is the same kind of thinking that led to slavery and continues to give us racism.

[Lush is the best medicine...]

All the talk of today being a glorious day for the black community sits uneasily with me. 

The idea that someone can be superior to another at the point of birth is the same kind of thinking that led to slavery and continues to give us racism.

its because a black woman is now in the royal family and she will almost certainly have children with said royal so like with many families the royals will be mixed race, something that I don’t think many thought would ever happen which is why they’re happy

[oldfordie]

Do people really think getting rid of the Royal Family will bring about a better world.
Theres so much hate and anger in this country today and it's not just aimed at the Royal Family. lets get rid of the House of Lords. lets get rid of the EU. lets get rid of all these foreigners. lets rip up the Capitalist society etc etc.
Nothing will change until we get rid of selfish incompetent politicians and a right wing press all out to please their Billionaire bosses. we will still have poverty and homelessness even if we do get rid of all the above. in fact it would probably get worse.
We need a bit of stability in this country right now, this era is a nightmare.
Am not going to sing a chorus of all you need is love but the black preacher said it all yesterday. a bit of love and compassion by the whole country would bring about massive change, never going to happen of course,the country is crying out for massive change and it's all fueled by anger and ignorance, that change will be make this a far worse place.

[Rush 82]

All the talk of today being a glorious day for the black community sits uneasily with me. 

The idea that someone can be superior to another at the point of birth is the same kind of thinking that led to slavery and continues to give us racism.

Heh! Just seeing all those people of colour invading the Royal Family is immensely satisfying to a person of colour.

- the queens face when that Preacher was doing his thing

[Lush is the best medicine...]

Do people really think getting rid of the Royal Family will bring about a better world.
Theres so much hate and anger in this country today and it's not just aimed at the Royal Family. lets get rid of the House of Lords. lets get rid of the EU. lets get rid of all these foreigners. lets rip up the Capitalist society etc etc.
Nothing will change until we get rid of selfish incompetent politicians and a right wing press all out to please their Billionaire bosses. we will still have poverty and homelessness even if we do get rid of all the above. in fact it would probably get worse.
We need a bit of stability in this country right now, this era is a nightmare.
Am not going to sing a chorus of all you need is love but the black preacher said it all yesterday. a bit of love and compassion by the whole country would bring about massive change, never going to happen of course,the country is crying out for massive change and it's all fueled by anger and ignorance, that change will be make this a far worse place.

yup mostly bitter losers in life who seem to really hate the royals/lords etc, personally when it comes to prioritising things in this country that need to change they barely register as there are far more important things to sort out before you even consider them