[sii217]

Just been watching it now, anyone else love all the tradition and swords and ceremonies too?

It takes you back watching it, as if you've gone back in time hundreds of years. I really like seeing all the swords and maces and the queen being escorted by the household cavalry. I love this country with it's royal family and strange old traditions. Proud to be English.

What's everyone else's opinion on it? Think it's a waste of taxpayer's money, or a cultural heritage we should be proud of?

[Gawjuz.x]

What do you think of the Queen's speech and the new laws to be considered for 2013??

I would have educational reforms mentioned as well in addition to the economic and constitutional reforms.

[uob]

(Original post by Endodontics)
I couldn't care less what the scrounger has to say.

Then you misunderstand what the Queen's speech actually is.

[Martyn*]

It's pantomime. It's Masonic panto.

[Algorithm69]

The Monarchy is a waste of money, an insult to democracy, and has been an archaic and morally unjustifiable institution since 1776.

[gladders]

All much of a muchness, although dismayed at the insistence at wasting public time with electing the Lords.

[cl_steele]

(Original post by Endodontics)
I couldn't care less what the scrounger has to say.

ignorance is bliss for you isnt it?

[Morgsie]

HS2?

[Sphipsta]

Wish hs2 had been mentioned, glad the lords reform is being pushed, as a conservative myself even though it is not in line with party politics we would benefit greatly from two chambers of a legislature rather than the commons and the role of the lords currently very little.

[Kiss]

Can someone please give me the gist of what she said?

[AnythingButChardonnay]

She's a very patient woman.

I'd get heartily fed up of the crap these idiots made me say.

Less legislation, not more please.

[Aphotic Cosmos]

There's no reason why we can't keep the pomp and circumstance as a republic.

That said I don't really mind whether we are a monarchy or a republic, I don't have a problem with the Queen or most of her heirs, and I wouldn't have a problem with a President. Funnily enough the only institution I do have a problem with at the moment is Parliament. Scrap the whole bloody lot of them and give us an e-democracy in their stead. We have little need of a representative democracy where the will of the people is magically changed into the will of the politicians and the corporations who bought them out long ago.

[Sgt.Incontro]

(Original post by Algorithm69)
The Monarchy is a waste of money, an insult to democracy, and has been an archaic and morally unjustifiable institution since 1776.

+ Rep.

And a lot of the monarchy's expenses come through some royal family members indulging, such as the one who travelled to an Indian slum on a private jet, and stayed at a 7000 pound nightly palace, instead of the high commission residence. (Cough cough, Prince Andrew, don't you have any shame you rat?)

The Royal Family is just a waste of money, end of. These royal families are simply OLD, but we are moving FORWARD. We DON’T need them. We need an improved democracy, and only that.

[Dux_Helvetica]

I thought the tradition being exhibited was fantastic to behold. The symbolism of the doors being shut in the face of the Queen's emissary to represent parliamentary supremacy was particularly good.

[Sgany]

Yay, here comes the "the monarchy is a waste of money" crew who disregard that they bring in more money than they actually cost.

[Martyn*]

(Original post by Sgany)
Yay, here comes the "the monarchy is a waste of money" crew who disregard that they bring in more money than they actually cost.

I don't care about the money. They must go, along with their all their rituals and Masonic ceremonies.

[Martyn*]

The Queen's speech is just rherotic. She reigns but does not rule, right? RIGHT?

[cesca42]

I agree with OP, I love it.

As a fully paid up supporter of all things democratic, I really shouldn't like the royal family, but I do! And technically, since the monarch now holds no real political power, you can be supportive of the royal family without being undemocratic.

I must admit however that Charles and Andrew (and his offspring!) are not my favourite people, and according to my dad who was in the Marines at the same time as Edward, he's not all that great either. But Princess Anne's pretty awesome.

[meenu89]

I think it is wonderful and I love watching the State opening of Parliament. I have to admit I always await with bated breath as to what Dennis Skinner will say.

[Sgany]

(Original post by Martyn*)
I don't care about the money. They must go, along with their all their rituals and Masonic ceremonies.

Surely millions, near enough billions, coming into the country as a result is a good thing, for all the British people?