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Is it bizarre to question the Monarchy's Budget?

(97 Posts)
Eloethan Thu 30-Jan-14 16:00:51

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/29/royals-want-new-boiler-we-pay-for-it

I agree with Suzanne Moore and feel the Queen should dip into her personal fortune to pay for the upkeep of the various royal residences, especially at a time when the poor are being bashed at every opportunity. What do others think?

durhamjen Sat 01-Feb-14 13:14:16

I do not understand the jibes about Glenys Kinnock. She was an MEP until 2009, so of course was over in Europe. She now sits in the House of Lords under her own right and is on the Committee for Overseas Development.
What would happen to the queen if Scotland voted for independence?
I think Tony Benn, at 89, does a lot of work still. He has to have carers to make sure he does not fall over, but still went to political rallies last year.

margaretm74 Sat 01-Feb-14 13:29:01

Yes, the fish-like opening and shutting of the mouth!

nigglynellie Sat 01-Feb-14 18:24:08

I'm afraid I have a very cynical view of politicians, and trade union leaders, in fact anyone In a position of power (except H.M and the P.O.W) I think they start out with good intentions but soon get caught up in the power game promising things they can't possibly deliver,'all in it together'!! (I don't think so)' freezing energy prices?' It can't be done, a child can tell you that, and in any case what happens at the end of the given time? my guess is that they will shoot skywards - just ridiculous. Committee for overseas development in the House of Lords? well. bully for Glenys and her socialist principals. I was under the impression that she and Neil didn't hold with the H Of L! well that's what they used to tell us when the House of commons was in their sights!! Sorry but that's what I feel

Ana Sat 01-Feb-14 18:38:46

Ha! Rather like John Prescott, who had to sacrifice his principles because his wife liked the idea of being a 'Lady'! grin

absent Sat 01-Feb-14 18:44:11

Can anyone tell me what disaster would befall us if this "hard-working" Queen didn't bother to go through her red boxes each day?

merlotgran Sat 01-Feb-14 18:47:04

Oh yes! The wife who wouldn't walk a few yards from the hotel to the conference in case her expensive hair do got blown in the wind.

merlotgran Sat 01-Feb-14 18:48:47

The Red Boxes probably contain a midnight snack, a hip flask, the latest copy of Horse and Hound and treats for the corgis.

Ana Sat 01-Feb-14 18:57:22

grin

Nonu Sat 01-Feb-14 19:07:50

I do not think the country would fall apart at all , Absent !
heyho

rosesarered Sat 01-Feb-14 19:17:04

Of course it's not bizarre to question any public use of money. I am a Republican, but not a rabid one grin.The present Queen has done a good job but I would be happy to see the Monarchy end soon.Other countries seem to manage well enough without one.

merlotgran Sat 01-Feb-14 19:25:22

And we manage perfectly well with one.

If it ain't broke don't even attempt to fix it

rosesarered Sat 01-Feb-14 19:40:12

We will have to wait and see, what happens in the future, but am thinking it won't change in our lifetimes [the Monarchy]. However, pretty sure it will end at some point in all the countries in the world that still have a King or Queen.There aren't that many nowadays of course.Meanwhile, public money must be spent properly on them and not wasted.

margaretm74 Sat 01-Feb-14 19:50:07

Well, if we have a President we will probably be asking if it is bizarre to question the President's budget.

Plus ca change plus ca la meme chose . Or Animal Farm?

jcdoh Thu 06-Feb-14 19:58:52

long may she stay healthy and reign -- she is a women of great intelligence and far more experience than most of us, why did nobody want to hang draw and quarter BLAIR ? for the greed and damage he did to our uk; he is laughing all the way to the bank--which he possibly encouraged to use bad practise in banking saying grab it while you can, they wont be any wiser !
which we weren't --and we lost hand over fist;

Now we have really bad situ; regards our sea defences --so many more people have lost homes -had to move out because of flooding, not for the first time either in a 12 month period; the government was badgered and pleaded with to strengthen these defences during Blair's time in power- but none was done; tonight it was said by N. Farage that the 100 million the government has given, is just one per cent of all the money we send abroad as AID! this is wrong -very WRONG, one looks after ones own family -read country FIRST; get our house in order!! as we the public are expected to do !

absent Thu 06-Feb-14 20:00:49

jcdoh That doesn't seem to have a lot to do with the queen's boiler. grin

Riverwalk Thu 06-Feb-14 20:12:06

I don't think anyone went as far as suggesting the queen be hanged drawn and quartered!

Maybe pay a bit more tax, or downsize ..... no violence grin

durhamjen Fri 07-Feb-14 00:46:06

Doesn't the queen own all the coastline? She could pay for sea defences as well as her own boiler. See, Absent, there is a link.

Ariadne Fri 07-Feb-14 01:26:14

i have just noticed the statement about overseas aid; only Farage, or one of his idiotic sidekicks, could come out with something in like that, showing a complete lack of belief in our human responsibility for those far, far less fortunate than us.

As for the queen - where is the proof of her intelligence? Canny, maybe, but with limited experience of the real world.

JessM Fri 07-Feb-14 08:07:56

There is some strange "crown" jurisdiction over the coast - there is in NZ too. Anyone know what it means exactly. I know that in NZ it leads to a planning restriction whereby you cannot build a cafe or restaurant on the shore - it would have to be the other side of the road. There is one stunning exception The Maranui Surf Club. It is a Wellington treasure. if you are ever in the area of Wellington airport 2 minutes by taxi will take you to there. It is technically a surf club. You sign a book to say you are a member. It does wonderful food with a view of sea and landing strip (!!!! the airport is called Wild at Heart !!!) and it possibly does the best vegetarian full breakfast on the planet. Once sat there watching huge pod of dolphins hunting back and for across the bay I digress. Just a bit.
Queen certainly didn't have the benefit of a normal education did she. Positively Victorian.

Anniebach Fri 07-Feb-14 11:16:57

I have doubts about the queens dedication to her role. Yes she turns out to cut ribbons etc, she reads the red boxes , she turns up for ceremonial events, duty done.

But she is a woman of great private wealth, would she miss her priceless stamp collection, one or two of her paintings from her private art collection, several pieces of jewelry from the vaults - much was not come by honourable.

If giving money to countries where children are dying is wrong , how can locking millions in the vaults when ones own country is suffering be right

margaretm74 Fri 07-Feb-14 16:29:58

Not the coastline per se but:
[http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/queen-to-rake-in-38-million-a-year-256230]

Why not stick a few wind turbines in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, then she may not need a new boiler?

margaretm74 Fri 07-Feb-14 16:31:04

it didn't do it again ....
[www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/queen-to-rake-in-38-million-a-year-256230]

Ana Fri 07-Feb-14 16:37:30

It should be two square brackets at either end, Margaret.

Or you could just tick the 'Convert links automatically' option below this box! smile

margaretm74 Fri 07-Feb-14 16:39:09

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/queen-to-rake-in-38-million-a-year-256230

Thank you, I was told the other day but .....

Lilygran Fri 07-Feb-14 17:01:24

The Queen, Elizabeth Windsor, and the sovereign- happens to be Elizabeth Windsor, has been at different times Henry Vll, Victoria, Edward 1, ll, lll, lV etc are the same personage but not the same person. E Windsor is admittedly personally rich as are many people in the UK. Elizabeth R receives funds from the nation to support the expenses of her office. So would any Head of State, Prime Minister, Lord Mayor. Be envious of E Windsor if you wish, although envy is a destructive emotion best avoided, but it is utterly pointless to be envious of the sovereign.