woodview   10 #217 Posted October 22, 2018 How do you pick them then ? How do you select who can and can't stand for election to parliament? 'cos they're going to be the ones running and making decisions for departments. Why have a political mp as minister? They've put that woman heading dept for NI who clearly has no clue for example. Ps this.is now.a bit off.topic.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
muddycoffee   10 #218 Posted October 23, 2018 English is not your first language, is it  I'd hazard a guess that it isn't her second language either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
glennpickard   10 #219 Posted October 23, 2018 TCH yes I knew about and saw the response to Diana's passing, and the negative response. I think the Queen/Royal Family paid for that with the average person, not only in the UK but worldwide, wondering why she had showed minimal concern. A major faux pas no doubt. If not already, there needs to be a firm policy for travelling/security/accommodation expenses when Royals travel, and the policy approved by Parliament. I believe when they do travel it is usually connected to areas such as the Commonwealth, charity, diplomatic relations, opening major events, so there is usually a government connection ? But if private business or holidays, then the individual should pay 100%. The security for same probably has to be provided by the government, unless there is a policy for senior versus minor Royals Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
blake   10 #220 Posted October 23, 2018 TCH yes I knew about and saw the response to Diana's passing, and the negative response. I think the Queen/Royal Family paid for that with the average person, not only in the UK but worldwide, wondering why she had showed minimal concern. A major faux pas no doubt. If not already, there needs to be a firm policy for travelling/security/accommodation expenses when Royals travel, and the policy approved by Parliament. I believe when they do travel it is usually connected to areas such as the Commonwealth, charity, diplomatic relations, opening major events, so there is usually a government connection ? But if private business or holidays, then the individual should pay 100%. The security for same probably has to be provided by the government, unless there is a policy for senior versus minor Royals  your pre-assuming that there is a need for a royal set-up in the first place. They may not be a need for it at all. France, Germany, Italy and most of the rest of the countries in Europe, who used to have it, seem to do reasonably well without it. And no, they don't miss it. Apart from a few retards.  it's not as popular as it may seem. Most people, in most countries, do not like having a monarch-type figure who's succession is based on an hereditary line, as the head of state. It is just wrong and plainly and clearly unjust. If you can't see that then there's something wrong with you.  It is well out of step with the modern world and there is no doubt about that. The trouble is that there is no way to get rid of it without there being a war or a violent revolution, and nobody wants that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Anna B   1,414 #221 Posted October 23, 2018 your pre-assuming that there is a need for a royal set-up in the first place. They may not be a need for it at all. France, Germany, Italy and most of the rest of the countries in Europe, who used to have it, seem to do reasonably well without it. And no, they don't miss it. Apart from a few retards. it's not as popular as it may seem. Most people, in most countries, do not like having a monarch-type figure who's succession is based on an hereditary line, as the head of state. It is just wrong and plainly and clearly unjust. If you can't see that then there's something wrong with you.  It is well out of step with the modern world and there is no doubt about that. The trouble is that there is no way to get rid of it without there being a war or a violent revolution, and nobody wants that.  I'm not sure William or Harry want it enough to hold onto it. They don't have the Queen's sense of duty or belief in the Almighty. Maybe they'll give it up, but I'm not holding my breath.  But I do think there will be a great curfuffle when the Queen dies. A lot of the current reverence is down to her and her alone. She is the institution. I don't think Charles can cut it. I fully expect there to be a huge renewed call for the monarchy to be abolished when that happens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
blake   10 #222 Posted October 23, 2018 if there was a referendum about it, most people would vote to retain it. Have no doubt about that. It would be about 2:1.  but only about 30% of people actually have any real belief in the monarchy.  a lesser number about 20%, don't believe in it at all, and would want to get rid of it.  the rest don't care and would just wait to see where the wind blows. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Andbreathe   10 #223 Posted October 23, 2018 I agree, and we need all the good, happy news we can get lately. Im perfectly happy to pay my 69p a year.  Not really, however it seems that some people find even that small an amount too much and makes their blood boil  If its such a small amount I’ll forward my bank details and you can pay mine...  68p via every tax payer...not such a small amount anymore...is it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
glennpickard   10 #224 Posted October 23, 2018 I have just read that the support for the Monarchy in the UK is around 75%, whereas you state "Only about 30% of the people" etc etc.  At the end of the day I believe people will act on two things:  a) do we want to keep the lineage that goes back a 1000 years, and tells us historically where we came from and what happened along the way ? Or discard all that ? (someone said France and German did that so why should n't we ?) That's a reason ??? b) is the Royal Family a value to the UK and the Commonwealth ? If not then people will follow the naysayers. From everything I can read and watch, it appears that it is still a valued asset and impossible to duplicate  That is not to say that some changes cannot be made to improve its effectiveness and efficiency. Some may complain, but in the final analysis, it will stay, as it is such a crucial part of the country's DNA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
phil752   10 #225 Posted October 23, 2018 I have just read that the support for the Monarchy in the UK is around 75%, whereas you state "Only about 30% of the people" etc etc. At the end of the day I believe people will act on two things:  a) do we want to keep the lineage that goes back a 1000 years, and tells us historically where we came from and what happened along the way ? Or discard all that ? (someone said France and German did that so why should n't we ?) That's a reason ??? b) is the Royal Family a value to the UK and the Commonwealth ? If not then people will follow the naysayers. From everything I can read and watch, it appears that it is still a valued asset and impossible to duplicate  That is not to say that some changes cannot be made to improve its effectiveness and efficiency. Some may complain, but in the final analysis, it will stay, as it is such a crucial part of the country's DNA  Does our current Royal family go back that far in English history? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
blake   10 #226 Posted October 24, 2018 I have just read that the support for the Monarchy in the UK is around 75%, whereas you state "Only about 30% of the people" etc etc.  you don't get it. Most people don't give two hoots for the monarchy at all. it is not a feature of or a factor in their lives. They have other things to think about.  The people you are claiming 'support' the monarchy, are actually just the ones who don't want to get rid of it and consign it to history like most of the other countries in Europe have done. A lot of that 75% you claim 'support' the monarchy, actually don't care about the monarchy at all.  about 30% of people really ARE supporters of the monarchy. They think its really important.  but there is also a smaller number of people, I would guess a little less than 20% who not only are not supporters of the monarchy, but who would want to get rid of it.  but most people don't care about the monarchy at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Anna B   1,414 #227 Posted October 24, 2018 And the problem is what exactly? If you're stupid enough to get into a field where connections are required to be successful and you have none, then whose fault is that?  I think you'll find most top jobs are about who you know, not what you know.  https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/aug/28/elitism-in-britain-breakdown-by-profession Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
truman   10 #228 Posted October 24, 2018 I think you'll find most top jobs are about who you know, not what you know. https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/aug/28/elitism-in-britain-breakdown-by-profession  How does that show that the people haven't got there because of what they know? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...