The English Royal Family?

[Acne Kid]

Are they a way of life in England? Are we proud to have such loving and caring people watching over us? Or are the Royal family just a load of snobs who only look out for themselves, and reject anyone who isnt suited to there style (look at poor Diana)? What do you think? If you had the power, would you ditch the Royal Family and get a President in? Or keep em?

[Smeagle]

I don't really care.

The Royal family certainly aren't useful in any way, but there's nothing actually bad about them...

If I had to choose though, I'd have to say ditch them, because they're a waste of space. I think it's silly that the queen has to pass every new law, despite the fact that it could be sorted easily and more efficiently in pariliament, and the fact that the King or Queen is technically above the law is quite a frightening idea.

[Norbington]

IF I had the power to get rid of the queen and instate a president I would instate* myself.

good thing I don't have the power isn't it?

I could be making a point here, I'm not sure.

*probably not spelt correctly

[Micky]

Ah, the good old Royal Family question.

I never feel particularly motivated on this issue - on the one hand it's part of our national identity, something that makes you proud to be British, whilst other countries have got rid of their monarchies, we've held onto ours (although we were one of the first countries to have a constituional monarch, I believe, so one could argue it's more 'in our blood', having been around for about 200 years?). I'm not too keen on the amount of money royalty cost the country however. Yes the monarch and heirs spend their lives either serving the country or waiting in line, but do those who could quite practically live 'normal' lives really need so much of the taxpayers' money?

Another thing that irritates me about the monarchy is the reluctance many of the Family to use their position to help others, it may be a cliche (and to be fair I never particularly liked the woman), but Diana was one of the most extreme members of the royal family in terms of abusing her position to help those less fortunate. When you look at other members who aren't directly in the spotlight (not Lizzie, Charlie, Will and Harry), many seem to just live off inheritances, when they could have sell even a small fraction of their possessions and help other people.

Finally, I think the Royal Family would be much more popular if they talked to the people more - I've never knowingly seen the Queen (nor any other member of the Royal Family, for that matter) in real life, although one might argue that's for my lack of desire to. But I can't help feel that the monarchy in this country are very separate from the people, yes they're important people, but I don't believe they are such high risk as to mix more with the public (although I accept this may bear relevance to Swedish incidences).

At the end of the day, I suppose I'm saying that I'm for the monarchy as something to bring the country money (tourism), as well as something to be proud to be British for, but does it have to be quite so extended?

[ike]

Originally posted by Smeagle
The Royal family certainly aren't useful in any way,
oooh yes they are - come summer holidays and stuff, why'dya reckon loads of the yanks and the rest of the foreigners come down to the middle of London.... because they're interested in the Royal Family.
that's all they're good for - tourism.

other than that, i s'pose they don't really do any good. but i'd hate to see them go, and be replaced by a president :/
Blair's doing his best to turn this country into America2 so we need to hold on to whatever unique British traditions we have.

[Dwarfer_stu]

I didnt really read everything, but nobody has considered getting rid of the prime minister and have the queen take over?

[Acne Kid]

Tony Blairs doing a fine job.

[GorillaBearBear]

I would have to say that Why would you get rid of the queen and instate a president - the queen does nothing. She has nothing to do with the running of the country. I would probably get rid of her if I had to choose. She is a pointless figurehead who in some ways diverts our minds and I think, though I may be wrong, that she gets a fair deal of money from our taxes, which is more than a little unjust, particularly when money is desperately needed to improve our hospitals and more importantly our schools.

Also - since when was dear old tony doing a good job? did I miss something? Over three terms he has changed his policies so often that he hasn't given himself a chance to improve anything. The real problem is that the English public aren't patient enough. We may be in an irreprable rut now because no party will get in long enough to turn the national public services around - they won't get more than one term. it is my opinion that this is largely labour's fault - too much spin, not enough policy or action.

[2PieR]

Originally posted by Acne Kid
Tony Blairs doing a fine job.

*snickers*
Flicks an elastic band at Acne Kid.
*whistles innocently*

ANYWAY -
IMO The monarchy make way too much money and give us way too much power to abolish them. Anyway what would we do with Buckingham Palace? And all the Royal institutions? Keep em.

[rabid anarchist]

The Royal Family cost a lot.
Id say get rid of them, unless the money tourism around them bring is exceeds the amount of taxpayers money they get.
In which case, leave them be.

If we got rid of the royal family, why would we need a president?
The Govt seems to do fine without a president (or the Royal Family tbh)

[ike]

and besides - if we had no Queen, who's face would go on all our money?

Tony Blair's? :/

they'd have to start making coins bigger again, so they could fit his massive ego on there.

[Tofufi]

I think the queen is good, but our taxes should not go to her.
I (no offence) do not want a president, or to turn into a mini america (we have gone far enough as it is).

[Acne Kid]

Hey hey hey just becuase I have an opinion about something doesent mean you can get the ol'e elastic bands out! And I DID see you, so dont give me that whislte shit!

[Pod]

whats all this bollocks about a president? why would getting rid of the monarchy make us a US-Style replubic?

[Acne Kid]

A president would be elected based on skill and experiance (well probally). The Royal Family are only the Royal Family becuase they ARE the Royal Family, not becuase of skill or experciance. Or blue blood.

[nimbleandwitty]

The English Royal Family rules Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland too, as much as we hate them.

I cant speak for the English but as a Welshman I certainly detest the Royal family. Do not be fooled by Diana either, there was nothing dramatically good about her, she was just the best of a very bad bunch.

If the monarchy goes nothing much will change, 1 less signature on the legislation and more money to the people.

I say put their backs to the wall and bring me gun, I will gladly do the job. (was that too strong? let me lighten it with a banana :nana: )

[rabid anarchist]

No, i think that was reasonable.

I am English, and i dont particularly care for the Roya lFamily either. Waste of money in my opinion.

And i certainly dont think we need a president!

Things are fine as it is! Just get rid of the Roya lFamily! they dont NEED to be replaced! If we did, there wouldnt be much point in getting rid of them now, would there?

[Pod]

Originally posted by Acne Kid
A president would be elected based on skill and experiance (well probally). The Royal Family are only the Royal Family becuase they ARE the Royal Family, not becuase of skill or experciance. Or blue blood.

As opposed to the current Prime Minister?

Originally posted by nimbleandwitty
If the monarchy goes nothing much will change, 1 less signature on the legislation and more money to the people.

Wales already takes too much money off th english government. I one saw some figures that basically said Whales has the income of a third world country if you didnt count Englands subsidies.

While we're on the subject of Scotland and wales, does no one else hate the fact the scottish MP's can vote on things that effect ENGLAND only, and the English mps don't have the tinyest say in the Scottish votes?

[Beef Magic]

Isn't a shame how they treat Ant?

*boom boom*

[TEX_Cougar]

im not a royalist, i dont like the royal family at all.
However, if there was no royal family, how many tourists would come into this country? London wouldnt be like it is without the royal family, who would want to come over from japan, america or even australia to look at the lovely river thames (which isnt lovely, its dirty and smelly).

[Acne Kid]

If the Royal Family went we could use the money intended to spend on them to clean up the Thames!

[Ouroboros]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Acne Kid
A president would be elected based on skill and experiance[/QUOTE

Oh, yes! Like ole Dubya eh? Well that sounds like a top idea...

[Eowyn]

Originally posted by nimbleandwitty
The English Royal Family rules Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland too, as much as we hate them.

I cant speak for the English but as a Welshman I certainly detest the Royal family. Do not be fooled by Diana either, there was nothing dramatically good about her, she was just the best of a very bad bunch.

If the monarchy goes nothing much will change, 1 less signature on the legislation and more money to the people.

And as a fellow Welshman....girl, I agree! Though its annoying that the 'prince of wales' is english, hes no Llewellyn ap Gryffidd!! :D

[Jonny]

kill them :twisted: (http://s11.sitemeter.com/stats.asp?site=s11VirtualBigBrother)

[Magpie]

now why would you want to do that?