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On borrowed time - the royals

(337 Posts)
nanna8 Sun 14-Mar-21 03:22:40

The House of Windsor “Self obsessed and more concerned about their show biz credentials than the well-being of their ‘subjects’ are on borrowed time .” This was from Jon Faine in the Melbourne Age today. Many of us here would agree with him, particularly after recent events. He went on to say that their insistence on the antiquated protocols and pointless archaic etiquette to match is all evidence of unfathomable privilege. You know what, usually I cannot stand this man but this time I think he is right! What makes them so special ? Something in their blood or what ? It is feudal nonsense that we just go on accepting out of habit.

Grany Thu 18-Mar-21 10:49:02

The man who shouldn't be king.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=TGamLrHlikc

Talking about Charles and the way he unfairly runs the Duchy. NellG might find this interesting wink

And

What happens to the palaces when the monarchy is abolished

m.youtube.com/watch?v=BG7XCe1FDhc

Grany Thu 18-Mar-21 10:51:24

The tennents on Duchy land talk how they think Charles treats tennents unfairly and uses The Duchy is his own private feidom

trisher Thu 18-Mar-21 10:51:45

Bridgeit if you can identify one community where the whole economy is dependant on a member of the RF continuing to work as a member of the RF, you can draw parallels with the closure of the mines. As it is some of the jobs linked to them are to do with the property they own and their lifestyles which will not change that much. They are not for example going to start cleaning their castles or raising game for their shooting parties. They will continue to employ others to do that.

NellG Thu 18-Mar-21 10:51:53

Always Grany - highlight of my day! You may convince me yet wink

Anniebach Thu 18-Mar-21 10:56:05

So the documentary on The Duchy recently, all those tenants lied Grany ?

Bridgeit Thu 18-Mar-21 10:56:46

Windsor.

Bridgeit Thu 18-Mar-21 10:58:48

Obviously I am being a bit loose with the term ‘whole ‘ as are you , but about 75% are dependant on this trade .

Bridgeit Thu 18-Mar-21 11:00:57

Don’t forget Cornwall & the training opportunity for young people to gain skills & qualifications offered by PC Trust

trisher Thu 18-Mar-21 11:01:41

Bridgeit From the Royal Borough of Windsor's own report
Employment is concentrated in office-based service sectors (92.3%), with financial services (25.7%) and Public Administration, Education and Health (19.9%) prevalent.
link rbwm.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s5868/Revised%20Draft%20economic%20development%20strategy.pdf
Try again?

Alegrias1 Thu 18-Mar-21 11:05:37

Windsor is in the affluent south, I suspect they'd recover. If the RF no longer supply the HoS then people will still want to see Windsor Castle. If not they can pop down the road to Legoland. I love Windsor Castle, all that history. Not at all interested in seeing who lives there though.

Really, the argument that some people will lose their jobs if we replace the monarchy is the least convincing argument I've ever heard.

Bridgeit Thu 18-Mar-21 11:07:57

Very interesting thank you, not sure what you mean by Try Again? Can you explain ?

Bridgeit Thu 18-Mar-21 11:11:21

One would of thought, that people loosing their jobs would be of the utmost importance to others who purport to care .

NellG Thu 18-Mar-21 11:13:05

There is of course the argument that more people like the RF and the institution of the monarchy than don't currently. Which will always be the prevailing reason they will stay for at least the foreseeable future. There really isn't any other argument for them. Lots against, but none so far with enough traction to tip the balance over their popularity.

trisher Thu 18-Mar-21 11:15:50

The biggest employment sector in Cornwall is the professional and managerial group www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1946157349/report.aspx#tabempocc
While appreciating the work of an organisation like the Princes Trust it really can'tbe considered a reason to retain the monarchy. I know quite a few charities doing excelent work which are linked to a single person.

GagaJo Thu 18-Mar-21 11:16:00

none so far with enough traction to tip the balance over their popularity

Not necessarily about popularity. It is harder for those without power (us) to overturn those in power. They have several different types of power. Instrumental, influential, economic, political, persuasive. It isn't an equal contest.

Bridgeit Thu 18-Mar-21 11:17:19

That’s true , there are many more reasons, that was just one example.

Bridgeit Thu 18-Mar-21 11:22:25

It isn’t a contest, why are we here on our computer’s whilst others around the world Still starving ? If we throw out our computers will it help,? No, but having a computer allows to spread communications about what is still wrong in the world.and to hopefully do something about it.

NellG Thu 18-Mar-21 11:34:26

Gagajo I see your point, but ultimately no government is going to hold a referendum on it. My point was more relative to their popularity amongst 'us' and the lack of traction for republican arguments. The Govt is too invested and entangled - the 'people' en masse don't really care that much about fairness unless they perceive it to be directly affecting them ( as in Brexit, which had one meaning for govt and a ver different on for many people with a vote).

For instance, I can agree with Grany on some elements the Duchy - but do
I care enough about it to join the chorus of dissent? No at this juncture - too much gets thrown by the wayside and many of the republican arguments are too much of a blunt instrument to be persuasive or convincing.

vegansrock Thu 18-Mar-21 11:55:34

lemsip if the “job” of the RF isn’t being high profile , pose for photos and wave, what exactly is their “job”? . Interested to see the job description

Bridgeit Thu 18-Mar-21 17:58:47

You can easily look this up , there is plenty of information relating to this topic.
You can also refer to the History of our country to understand how & why it has evolved.

Grany Thu 18-Mar-21 18:00:42

A dignified, non-partisan, elected head of state, who can talk eloquently for and to the people of Ireland and the Irish diaspora around the world.

Britain deserves a more mature public debate about the monarchy, in the knowledge that we can also elect excellent heads of state.

You can watch the #stpatricksday message from President Michael D. Higgins here:

m.youtube.com/watch?v=TZJEIjw_GRw&feature=youtu.be

Bridgeit Thu 18-Mar-21 18:00:58

Very much the same as looking back at the History of our own families.

Pantglas2 Thu 18-Mar-21 18:06:29

Grany - what is your definition of non partisan?

Grany Thu 18-Mar-21 18:45:57

Why Pantglas2 ? What is yours?

not biased or partisan, especially towards any particular political group.
"senior civil servants are non-partisan and serve ministers loyally irrespective of politics"

Elegran Thu 18-Mar-21 18:46:51

An elected head of state has, by definition, been voted in by those who think that they are a better choice than other candidates standing for election at the same time. So how do you prevent the candidates from trying to convince the voters that they are the best choice - ie, from campaigning for votes?

Inevitably the way to gain votes is by persuading voters that you are on the side of their section of the population and will make sure that is the section that will gain most advantage from the laws that will be passed under your presidency.

The voters are not non-partisan, they know what they want, and they can recognise who is likely to achieve most of that for them. They will vote for a candidate who seems to them to have all the virtues of left or right, or green or multicultural, or leans toward their own preference.

A totally non-partisan president is as rare as a unicorn.