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[Misc] Should the queen abdicate?
- Thread starter giveusfalmerplease
- Start date
Well, probably right...
...though some would argue that God is a bit of a myth as well.
Yes I’m sure, but does she need to?
I take your point, but I don’t believe she would feel a ‘figurehead’ style role, is sustainable, and will feel obligated to attend some.
What is she now if not a figurehead?
Fair enough poor description on my part.
Well she’s an active figurehead then, rather than a passive one who doesn’t attend anything.
Reading this has been interesting because a lot of it mirrors my internal conflict when it comes to royalty in general and The Queen in particular.
I'm not fundamentally pre-disposed to inherited privilege, unelected leaders and me paying for it. But....
- given some of the appallingly poor Prime Ministers and party leaders we've had in this country I'm not sure I'd swap someone with the gravitas of The Queen for a presidential election between Johnson and Corbyn. Yuck. So, as much as I say I'm a fan of democracy, democracy serves little purpose when it's Hobson's Choice
- I quite like the check and balance of a head of state without absolute power. But that lack of absolute power means that we really do only have a figurehead. And so we come to the poll question
- if she's able to do the job at age 96 then it really isn't a job, beyond existing and waving. However
- if it's more work than that then a 96 year old really shouldn't be doing it
In short, until we have better politicians in this country, and for all the time that they bring in attention and tourism from abroad the Royals should remain. But the decision on abdication needs to come from The Queen herself, and it needs to be based on how much her current life is taking out of her.
Some of the other family are, however, to use a favourite [MENTION=33848]The Clamp[/MENTION] phrase, ghastly.
I'm not fundamentally pre-disposed to inherited privilege, unelected leaders and me paying for it. But....
- given some of the appallingly poor Prime Ministers and party leaders we've had in this country I'm not sure I'd swap someone with the gravitas of The Queen for a presidential election between Johnson and Corbyn. Yuck. So, as much as I say I'm a fan of democracy, democracy serves little purpose when it's Hobson's Choice
- I quite like the check and balance of a head of state without absolute power. But that lack of absolute power means that we really do only have a figurehead. And so we come to the poll question
- if she's able to do the job at age 96 then it really isn't a job, beyond existing and waving. However
- if it's more work than that then a 96 year old really shouldn't be doing it
In short, until we have better politicians in this country, and for all the time that they bring in attention and tourism from abroad the Royals should remain. But the decision on abdication needs to come from The Queen herself, and it needs to be based on how much her current life is taking out of her.
Some of the other family are, however, to use a favourite [MENTION=33848]The Clamp[/MENTION] phrase, ghastly.
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Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
Pure speculation but she is particularly round-shouldered now so has back problems, so it could be a disc problem, or even osteoporosis, which many older women suffer with. It isn't something just affecting her now but will be until she pops her clogs.
Make like a tree and leave?
Glad to see that you twigged that, too.
It's time for root and branch reform.
Silverhatch
Well-known member
The monarchy is the bedrock upon which the British establishment and class system continues to operate. We have a National Anthem that pledges allegiance to an hereditary head of state and barely mentions our country. Despite her overwhelming privileges and wealth the Queen has dedicated herself to service as she sees it, but… Kings & Queens? 21st Century? Really!
She doesn't need to but she knows no different life. She's hardly going to have a retirement that she can enjoy and start ticking off things from her bucket list. And if we are being honest, it's not likely to be for much longer.
Thunder Bolt
Silly old bat
There is nothing in the lyrics of God save the Queen which pledges allegiance.
Several countries have monarchies, and Spain reinstated theirs sometime after ridding themselves of a fascist dictator.
She is also Queen to 54 countries in the Commonwealth.
I have no beef with her as a person, just what the whole thing represents. I'll be a little sad, when she passes, but I'm far more saddened when someone passes who had an impact on my life, such as a favourite musician.
I really do believe that the monarchy will have rapidly declining support, once she passes.
Pretty much agree with most of what you say. As for the last comment, I believe Chas has already indicated he's going to reduce the size of the Royal family so more of the peripheral royals will have to earn a living (that or he'll revert to the more traditional method of reduction at the Tower!!!).
Randy Andy first, please.
I dont think it will be much of an issue soon.
Until there's a better option, yes.
We'd fairly much have to rewrite the constitution and parliamentary system. Either we'd exchange a figurehead Queen for a figurehead President who would still need to travel to other countries, attend events and have security detail or we'd need an actual President with executive powers, probably elected from a choice of two, further dividing the country a la Brexit and with the power to bring in almost immediate laws on anything from the culture wars to personal freedom, or we'd call the Prime Minister head of state, in which case we'd have a fat, lecherous liar whose latest achievement was to be booed by a crowd of flag shaggers outside a church.
The Royal Family is the least bad option, so long as they strip back the hangers on and noncey ones.