Royal baby: Prince William and Kate expecting second child

elmarko · 5 May 2015 at 09:01

platypus said:
I'll say it again in the hope that you might take something from it; be happy that someone has had a healthy little baby, wish them well, and get on with your life .

To be fair, you can wish them well the same as you would any new parent & still find the idea of having succession by birthright the method of determining our head of state a backwards notion.

platypus · 5 May 2015 at 09:06

I don't disagree.

His posts go way beyond questioning succession thought, don't they?

elmarko · 5 May 2015 at 09:12

Of all things to be angry about, a story related to a social construct which is very much diametrically opposed to the principle of equality is one of them.

His anger isn't at the baby it'self from what I can see, but at what it represents. There is the assumption in the media at the moment that any disagreement with royal events means you are a miserable spoil-sport or hate new born children.

platypus · 5 May 2015 at 09:28

We're a Democracy in anything but name. What powers do the Royal Family actually have? Eg the last time Royal Assent was refused was in the 1700s.

I just think people get worked up about it when the reality is it's not that important.

Diddums · 5 May 2015 at 09:30

It's things like this that set Britain apart from so many other nations and whether you agree with it or not, the Royals are a huge tourist magnet. I think getting rid of them would be a very poor move.

StriderX · 5 May 2015 at 09:32

I shall reiterate, Privatise them and we get the same benefits with no noise. (We already sold the Royal mail, which was basically a first step)

elmarko · 5 May 2015 at 09:50

platypus said:
We're a Democracy in anything but name. What powers do the Royal Family actually have? Eg the last time Royal Assent was refused was in the 1700s.

I just think people get worked up about it when the reality is it's not that important.

This isn't about power or money, it's about the principles we claim to value & uphold in society.

If the actual head of our state is determined by methods opposed to these values then for many in the UK this creates a problem. These are not the views of a fringe minority - republicanism has between a 13-25% support rate over the years (which is around what most political parties get elected by the same percentage of the population).

platypus · 5 May 2015 at 10:18

I don't see it that way. We are governed ceremoniously by a Monarch but in reality are a Democracy, and whether that monarch is selected by succession or lottery I don't really care.

do_ron_ron · 5 May 2015 at 10:20

platypus said:
I don't see it that way. We are governed ceremoniously by a Monarch but in reality are a Democracy, and whether that monarch is selected by succession or lottery I don't really care.

The way dumbed down Britain is going in another 50 years we will have a TV reality contest for Monarch.

Xordium · 5 May 2015 at 10:39

elmarko said:
This isn't about power or money, it's about the principles we claim to value & uphold in society.

If the actual head of our state is determined by methods opposed to these values then for many in the UK this creates a problem. These are not the views of a fringe minority - republicanism has between a 13-25% support rate over the years (which is around what most political parties get elected by the same percentage of the population).

Sorry if I am wrong here but haven't you repeatedly claimed to not like the current political systems that has a sheltered bank of privileged people coming from privileged backgrounds. How on earth would this change if we moved to a republic or would it just add in another load of freeloaders that would cost us more in the long run without the nice bits. Would be out of the frying pan into the fire.

(BTW off track but are you still in Eve?)

the shadow · 5 May 2015 at 10:58

Remember This Let them all earn their keep

eggyoke · 5 May 2015 at 11:39

Not really interested in the Royals personally, however I do see the benefit in having them. I think they're a good thing for our country and the way we handle/use them is right. The queen has been one of the most constant and reliable figures in our diplomatic relations with other countries since her reign began in the 50's. If we stripped her as being head of state then the position would simply go to some equally privileged toff who wasn't under the same scrutiny as her.

The Royals are an insight into our past, how our country came about and a reminder of where and what we came from. I think it's EASY to say "nah they get a free ride, get rid of em" and then the next day forget about it. I mean I understand the conflicting nature of the monarch in any capacity within a democracy, but it's not exactly like they have life free and easy is it? They can't go and wonder around the world splashing cash on women, drugs and taking advantage of their money without a care. Yes they never go without and will never face the same problems that average people face in life, however the same could be said of countless others in our society who slip under the radar and live the life of riley.

And beside all that, the fact of the matter is, the royals fascinate people the world over. They are some of the most influential people in the entire world. What UK politician could say the same? They're a living cultural asset that shouldn't be disregarded on a whim. If you take these assets out of the world, make all countries completely the same then the world becomes a less colourful and varied place - filled with men in grey suits.

elmarko · 5 May 2015 at 13:01

Xordium said:
Sorry if I am wrong here but haven't you repeatedly claimed to not like the current political systems that has a sheltered bank of privileged people coming from privileged backgrounds. How on earth would this change if we moved to a republic or would it just add in another load of freeloaders that would cost us more in the long run without the nice bits. Would be out of the frying pan into the fire.

At least we would get the pick the freeloaders.

(I admit it's hardly the biggest benefit in practice, it's more the principle).

Xordium said:
(BTW off track but are you still in Eve?)

Yeah, I dropped into the channel a few times but always seemed to miss everybody in it you mentioned!, I'll have to pop in again this week.

Burnsy2023 · 5 May 2015 at 13:04

Cosimo said:
Big thumbs up for her names, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana!

Charlotte is probably my favourite girls name so thumbs up from me too.

Terminal_Boy · 5 May 2015 at 13:12

do_ron_ron said:
The way dumbed down Britain is going in another 50 years we will have a TV reality contest for Monarch.

The way Britain is going, it'll be a caliphate in 10 years time.

dirtybeatfreak · 5 May 2015 at 15:53

eggyoke said:
Not really interested in the Royals personally, however I do see the benefit in having them. I think they're a good thing for our country and the way we handle/use them is right. The queen has been one of the most constant and reliable figures in our diplomatic relations with other countries since her reign began in the 50's. If we stripped her as being head of state then the position would simply go to some equally privileged toff who wasn't under the same scrutiny as her.

The Royals are an insight into our past, how our country came about and a reminder of where and what we came from. I think it's EASY to say "nah they get a free ride, get rid of em" and then the next day forget about it. I mean I understand the conflicting nature of the monarch in any capacity within a democracy, but it's not exactly like they have life free and easy is it? They can't go and wonder around the world splashing cash on women, drugs and taking advantage of their money without a care. Yes they never go without and will never face the same problems that average people face in life, however the same could be said of countless others in our society who slip under the radar and live the life of riley.

And beside all that, the fact of the matter is, the royals fascinate people the world over. They are some of the most influential people in the entire world. What UK politician could say the same? They're a living cultural asset that shouldn't be disregarded on a whim. If you take these assets out of the world, make all countries completely the same then the world becomes a less colourful and varied place - filled with men in grey suits.

Couldn't agree more.

SexyGreyFox · 5 May 2015 at 18:47

eggyoke said:
Not really interested in the Royals personally, however I do see the benefit in having them. I think they're a good thing for our country and the way we handle/use them is right. The queen has been one of the most constant and reliable figures in our diplomatic relations with other countries since her reign began in the 50's. If we stripped her as being head of state then the position would simply go to some equally privileged toff who wasn't under the same scrutiny as her.

The Royals are an insight into our past, how our country came about and a reminder of where and what we came from. I think it's EASY to say "nah they get a free ride, get rid of em" and then the next day forget about it. I mean I understand the conflicting nature of the monarch in any capacity within a democracy, but it's not exactly like they have life free and easy is it? They can't go and wonder around the world splashing cash on women, drugs and taking advantage of their money without a care. Yes they never go without and will never face the same problems that average people face in life, however the same could be said of countless others in our society who slip under the radar and live the life of riley.

And beside all that, the fact of the matter is, the royals fascinate people the world over. They are some of the most influential people in the entire world. What UK politician could say the same? They're a living cultural asset that shouldn't be disregarded on a whim. If you take these assets out of the world, make all countries completely the same then the world becomes a less colourful and varied place - filled with men in grey suits.

That is one of the best posts I've read on here.
Nice one.

Xordium · 6 May 2015 at 07:21

elmarko said:
At least we would get the pick the freeloaders. (I admit it's hardly the biggest benefit in practice, it's more the principle).

Yeah, I dropped into the channel a few times but always seemed to miss everybody in it you mentioned!, I'll have to pop in again this week.

Good point!

I'll try and catch you as I am on most nights and often most days too. If we keep missing let me know and I'll send all my details over by trust and we can take it from there.