The King's Speech

Thanks volver.

You did nadateturbe. I read it, thank you.

Callistemon21

nadateturbe

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ooh, someone's on duty.

Hope you're getting double time and mince pies, GNHQ!
🥧🍷££

They were only supposed to remove the first two. Never mind I made my point.......

Grantanow

You make some valid points, volver, but the difference between an Elected Head of State and a constitutional Head of Government is not quite as clear cut as you imply. The example you give of the German EHofS to counter my examples of France, etc., is a case in point: the German President holds considerable reserve powers going well beyond what our constitutional monarch can do. For example, in modern times the President has refused on nine occasions to sign Bills passed by the Bundestag (the last time that happened in the UK was in Queen Anne's reign when she refused one Bill). He can of his own discretion dismiss the Chancellor, dissolve the Bundestag, declares a state of emergency and grant pardons amongst other things. One other point about the election of the German President by the specially convened Convention is that he is almost sure to be a member of the majority party in the ruling coalition which to my mind is a political risk in an EHofS.

That's interesting Grantanow, thank you for posting about the German system. Presumably they have decided that is the system that they want. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with a Head of State declining to sign a Bill. Our House of Lords often send a bill back for the Commons to look at it again and most of the time we just accept that as normal.

There is no need for us to adopt that model, or to have a President elected by a political Convention. We could all have a vote. Although of course, some think we're not really capable of deciding such a thing and might get it wrong. 😉

I'd reform the House of Lords too, but that's another thread 🤣

Galaxy

What? You can only have had a happy Christmas if you like the king speech. Dont be ridiculous

We missed it because we were having a good time!
😁

nadateturbe

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ooh, someone's on duty.

Hope you're getting double time and mince pies, GNHQ!
🥧🍷££

Sparklefizz made a good point:
"I also thought it was a very good idea not to be filmed sitting at a desk surrounded by personal photos which could then be picked apart."

Thanks SF for the heads up. It's obvious to me now you mention it.

I'm sure they were happy to see one another Parsley. sticking it to Meghan and Harry would have been an added bonus.

I’m h yes, that too. Happy to be with loving, supportive people.
Three generations together. It would make most of us happy

You make some valid points, volver, but the difference between an Elected Head of State and a constitutional Head of Government is not quite as clear cut as you imply. The example you give of the German EHofS to counter my examples of France, etc., is a case in point: the German President holds considerable reserve powers going well beyond what our constitutional monarch can do. For example, in modern times the President has refused on nine occasions to sign Bills passed by the Bundestag (the last time that happened in the UK was in Queen Anne's reign when she refused one Bill). He can of his own discretion dismiss the Chancellor, dissolve the Bundestag, declares a state of emergency and grant pardons amongst other things. One other point about the election of the German President by the specially convened Convention is that he is almost sure to be a member of the majority party in the ruling coalition which to my mind is a political risk in an EHofS.

I thought that the RF were smiling because they were happy to see each other but clearly I am mistaken. I am so naive. I didn't realise that tbey were sticking it to Meghan and Harry. Thank you GNetters for putting me right.

When twisted yourself into a knot with an argument resort to abuse😬

Viva La Republic😂

I am learning quite quickly that reading comprehension is just about as good as listening skills among some of the denizens of Gransnet.

Anybody else see the humour in this?

Oh I see Lathyrus, yes you're spot on "That's the way to do it".

It must be a great comfort to Charles to have William and Catherine by his side.

pascal30

volver

Yes, we would, wouldn't we Mollygo?

Same as I have to live with lots of things/people I haven't voted for. But I have the hope that one day, more people will think the way I do and we can get rid of the Tory Government, get back into Europe, have Scottish independence, whatever. But whatever, it will be the choice of the majority of the people who vote.

As it stands at the moment, I have no hope that we can have a HoS that represents me and acts for the good of the people of the UK. Because as it stands, the Windsor boys have the job sewn up, and that can never change. Unless we make it happen.

I SO agree with your second paragraph Volver...

The choice of the people who vote?

You mean like the no vote for Scottish Independence?

😂😂😂😂😂🤔🙄

Smileless2012

Harry wasn't smiling when she re enacted her curtsy. He looked rather uncomfortable and I don't blame him.

Sorry, I wasnt at all clear.

I meant they were all smiling as Catherine gave her perfect, restrained curtesy, a symbol of respect showing just what was required on this formal occasion and making Meghans overblown gesture look as ridiculous as it was.

No wonder they were all having a quiet little smile to themselves. That’s the way to do it!

Oreo

Three times nadaturbe 😂 are you pressing too many buttons.

M.E. bad today after Christmas. Struggling.
Thanks for your concern.

Harry wasn't smiling when she re enacted her curtsy. He looked rather uncomfortable and I don't blame him.

volver

Yes, we would, wouldn't we Mollygo?

Same as I have to live with lots of things/people I haven't voted for. But I have the hope that one day, more people will think the way I do and we can get rid of the Tory Government, get back into Europe, have Scottish independence, whatever. But whatever, it will be the choice of the majority of the people who vote.

As it stands at the moment, I have no hope that we can have a HoS that represents me and acts for the good of the people of the UK. Because as it stands, the Windsor boys have the job sewn up, and that can never change. Unless we make it happen.

I SO agree with your second paragraph Volver...

Callistemon
Just what I think.

I thought it was a good first Christmas address. St George's Chapel made a magnificent backdrop, and the carol a good choice. I was afraid he would forget that he is now Defender of the Faith, but no, the Christian message was still strong. He seemed very genuine.
(However, did he go hunting on Boxing Day? I could warm to Camilla if she didn't enjoy hunting).

Calendargirl

Parsley3

I was disappointed to see Catherine bobbing a curtsey to her inlaws at the Carol service. I was hoping that Charles would dispense with that nonsense.

Meghan obviously thought it was nonsense as well.

Maybe it is, but it is what they do.

Catherine realised that curtseying is something that is done in the family she married into, which is one reason why things have gone better for her than her sister in law.

I think she was making a point.

That’s why they were all smiling when she did it😬

Three times nadaturbe 😂 are you pressing too many buttons.

I don't mind not have an elected HoS.
I think the ones we have do a perfectly good job.
It would be difficult to find any candidates who are not politically motivated who could do as good a job here.

It may work elsewhere.

However, I would like to have an elected Upper House, we need more of balance.