Groups > Discuss, Debate and Deliberate

I am certain that this has been done before, bit I thought that with the Jubilee celebrations this weekend, it has made me wonder what everyone thinks of the Monarchy?

I was with some friends this weekend, and there was some varying opinions on whether we should have them or not, and if the taxpayer should be footing the bill to keep them in the lifestyles to which they have become accustomed.

I definitely have an opinion, but have discovered that I can easily see many sides of the argument (although that hasn’t yet entirely changed my mind!).

Well, I don’t have anything against them personally but I do not agree with the whole concept of the monarchy. No, I do not think they should have thier lifestyles paid for by the taxpayer, just as I do not feel that anyone should have their lives funded by the taxpayer unless they are severly disabled or past retirement age. I dont feel that any of the duties that they fulfill are worthy of the amount of money they get and the old chestnut about how they bring in tourism money just doesn’t cut it for me either.
They also do not seem to care very much about the public and the hardships many of us are facing. The queen riding around in a golden carriage with diamonds on her head is shocking really when you consider all the cutbacks that are being made and how we are all being asked to tighten our belts.
I saw an article in a magazine a couple of months ago. Apparently the queen WORE THE SAME DRESS TWICE to two differnt events because she wants to show she cares and hasn’t sepnt money on a brand new outfit. It made me laugh.

Honestly? I’ve never put any thought into it and couldn’t really care much less. They’re there, you can’t just say ‘sorry we’re not paying for you anymore’ can you?! People say they bring in loads or tourists and make us losts of dough anyway so what’s the problem? I’ve seen lots of Americans saying on TV that they love our Royal family and that they wish they had one..

I’m glad it’s the double bank holiday weekend anyway, but only because hubby is home, and we need him here at the moment to help me sort things out, as one of our pups was hit by a car on Sunday morning.

I’ve never really had any huge thoughts on it!!!
But I do think they work very hard indeed, the queen is 86 (I think) and still working hard. Like Sheli says, they are just there.
I’m more in favour of them recently than I have ever been.

I think the Queen has done a pretty good job. I agree she’s busy for someone of her age. I’m not a royalist but I’m sure they do bring a lot of tourists here which is a good thing.

I thought the concert that was on the Mall the other day was a sign of how they’ve moved forward into more modern times. It was a great move to allow that – especially with the light show on Buck Palace and people playing on the roof/balcony. That shoewed the world we can put on a good show and it’s given me hope for the Olympics!

The Madness Our House projections were fab! I think the rooftop thing has been done before, but not sure about the projections.

Thumbs up for the royals.

I love the royal family. It’s one of the quirks that makes our country great, there’s no other country in the world that does pomp and circumstance like this one and it makes me feel proud to be British. Who on earth would rather have a president like the USA? Not me! We have a wonderful history and heritage of the royals (think Henry Viii and 6 wives, Queen Victoria etc). Some countries are so ‘new’ they dont have the history we do and we would miss it if we didnt have it. William and Harry are thoroughly modern and are prepared to pitch in and work hard as well as do their royal duties, so great role models for our children. So, a pro-royalist side from me!!

I was pretty much going to say exactly what tinydancer just said. I think they have a huge amount to do with the national identity of this country and go a long way to making us “different”. There isn’t a lot of taxpayer money goes on them as individual people, more around the concept of them. However no more than any other country does on their national morale.

I’d rather have them than the presidents of lots of other countries who syphon off a lot of money from the national coffers. Presidents don’t come cheap and I guess that is the alternative.