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Do you support the Royal Family?

Blamps

Basically though...all the palaces and castles are not theirs legitimately....Windsor was Henry VIII's and thus the tudors (although the Lancasterians were susposedly to have had a weak claim to the throne given that they had an Uncle within the Plantagernate House...forgot his name though)

Do we own Windsor? I think e do. We own Buckingham Palace definately.

Reply 61

LH

15

2776

Fine but lets say the past King, king william the conqueror. He chose "barons" and lords. And the tradition lasted didnt it?

For a long time but not now.

Reply 62

GH

13

Lord Huntroyde

For a long time but not now.

Yes. So we should abolish the Monarchy! They are of no use to today!

Reply 63

happysunshine

8

2776

Yes. So we should abolish the Monarchy! They are of no use to today!

But what would Graham Norton do, there would be no more jokes :frown:

Reply 64

lala

physicsboy

I think we are in danger of getting rid of things on a whim just because todays society think its right - several hundred years have gone quite well, and we have (arguably) one of the most respected democracies in the world. Why change things now? What if we get rid of the monarchy (and all the other associated things like the Commonwealth) today and then in 50 years time it is decided that we were better off with a monarchy? Also, I am sure many world leaders respect the Queen more than the PM and this is an important part in ensuring we have strong ties with other countries.

Like I said, that argument could have been used to sustain lots of genuinely appalling things. Britain was generally considered to have one of the world's most respected democracies before we managed to get round to enfranchising women and the working classes, and those same arguments as you make were used to defend an indefensible voting system then. Yet look how that turned out- its pretty unusual to hear anyone bemoaning women's right to vote now!
Evidence for the idea that world leaders respect the Queen more than the PM? Myself I can't see many of them choosing someone who holds their position by birth only to one who has been elected by the general public. BTw, there are many people who regard British democracy as flawed because we still retain an elected element to our upper chamber, in common with only Swaziland.
The 'tradition' argument just doesn't stand up, especially when you consider that the same 'we've always done it this way' could be used to defend female circumcision, lynching of blacks in the Deep South etc. Why shouldn't we right a wrong in our society just because our forefathers chose to tolerate it?

Reply 65

Blamps

10

Lord Huntroyde

Do we own Windsor? I think e do. We own Buckingham Palace definately.

There are probably a lot more *commoners* if you like in this country who have a stronger claim to the throne than the current Royals

Reply 66

GH

13

happysunshine

But what would Graham Norton do, there would be no more jokes :frown:

Maybe he should get a proper job.

Reply 67

happysunshine

8

2776

Maybe he should get a proper job.

He has a proper job, he entertains me and a few other people :smile:

Reply 68

happysunshine

8

Blamps

There are probably a lot more *commoners* if you like in this country who have a stronger claim to the throne than the current Royals

Well they used to fight for the throne... I can't imagine that happening today.

Reply 69

physicsboy

lala

Evidence for the idea that world leaders respect the Queen more than the PM? Myself I can't see many of them choosing someone who holds their position by birth only to one who has been elected by the general public.

I appreciate this point, but can I just add that just by having an elected leader doesnt make them any more respected - George Bush was elected and he doesnt exactly have the respect of everyone.. and France almost elected a racist leader simply because people took the voting system for granted.. we live in a country where Big Brother and Pop Idol attract more attention than General Elections so its not really a fair indication of who the public want in power.. I think SOME leaders may respect the Queens experience if nothing else, compared to a PM who doesnt even listen to his own cabinet members, or the public when they protest against wars and tuition fees..

Reply 70

LH

15

This thread suddenly died. Other monarchy threads have usually made ten pages.

Reply 71

physicsboy

i think were all missing the most important fact here: if we get rid of the monarchy we wont get to see Prince William on all our banknotes, coins and stamps and... well, that would just be a tragedy.

Reply 72

happysunshine

8

physicsboy

i think were all missing the most important fact here: if we get rid of the monarchy we wont get to see Prince William on all our banknotes, coins and stamps and... well, that would just be a tragedy.

I agree.

Reply 73

physicsboy

happysunshine

I agree.

People always forget about the simple stuff.. ive been waiting 17 years and im not giving up now! William shall be King!!

Reply 74

Blamps

10

happysunshine

Well they used to fight for the throne... I can't imagine that happening today.

Yes, but for the most part, a system sort of like premogeniture (in land inheritance) operated until you include the Wars of the Roses, Cnute, William and the Normans etc....The German Royals didn't really have to fight...they were given the throne

Reply 75

LH

15

physicsboy

i think were all missing the most important fact here: if we get rid of the monarchy we wont get to see Prince William on all our banknotes, coins and stamps and... well, that would just be a tragedy.