The public should have a debate on the monarchy Billboards

Chewbacca

^You know, there's a bloke always replies to any of Nicola Sturgeon's tweets with "What's your^ favourite cheese Nicola?"
He thinks he's clever too.

What are you getting at Alegrias? Should I not have asked that question? Do you think I was trying to "be clever" when I asked? I thought I was asking out of interest as to who the OP would consider a suitable alternative to the current incumbent but you seem to know what my thoughts are better than me. If that's the case; guess what I'm thinking now.

Well what’s your favourite cheese Alegrias ?

Wait until the queen has gone and then reconsider. Not much point until then, she is too popular and has done a good job.

I'm happy with a slimmed down monarchy as well.

Well there are many talented and honourable decent intelligent people to choose from in the U.K. For the top job.
I can't think of many tbh.
Not any that would want to take it all on, anyway.

You must have a list if you know of many, so who are they?
How can we judge if we don't know who they are?

What would these billboards depict? Candidates? Notices? A picture of HM with Let's Have No More Of This Steadfast Dutiful Woman!

Don't worry about it, Alegrias
You don't have to choose the Monarchy after independence - honestly!

Just Say No

Chewbacca

^You know, there's a bloke always replies to any of Nicola Sturgeon's tweets with "What's your^ favourite cheese Nicola?"
He thinks he's clever too.

What are you getting at Alegrias? Should I not have asked that question? Do you think I was trying to "be clever" when I asked? I thought I was asking out of interest as to who the OP would consider a suitable alternative to the current incumbent but you seem to know what my thoughts are better than me. If that's the case; guess what I'm thinking now.

The cheese bloke is clearly thinking he's funny because he asks the same question all the time.

Any time anyone brings up the question of an elected HoS somebody will come back with the question, "who should it be then?" Its a completely pointless question at this stage in the debate.

Let's decide how we want to run the country; then let's decide what kind of president we would want; a president doesn't have to be like the US President, or the German President, or anybody else's. So jumping right to "who should it be then" is an attempt to change the debate and it diverts the discussion from what it should actually be about. I mean, who'd want President Trump

Also there have been about 105 threads recently (I exaggerate) that give ideas for candidates, I'll be charitable and guess that you've missed them.

Grany "We could choose who we want to be our Head of State".

How?

An election

No thank you, I prefer the monarchy which I'm sure will change and modernise with time. Judging by the crowds most people love a Royal event. Things like Trooping the Colour, weddings and Jubilees raise the spirits and bring everyone together.
And can you imagine, choosing a Head of State would be just as divisive as choosing a Prime Minister! Half the population would be furious and criticise everything. More angry people on Gransnet. No thanks.

I neither need, nor want, your "charity" Alegrias, nor do I need your explanation of what the OP was discussing. Your arrogance in assuming what posters meant by, or intended, in their posts is truly awesome. As far as I can remember, in the 5 years I've been on GN, I've never asked anyone on any thread about politics, the royal family (threads that I mainly avoid) or any other subject, what they would do. So I will put your nonsensical and combative post, to my perfectly innocent question, down to your objurate persistence in seeing ill will where none was intended. Your problem; not mine.

Okey doke.

I'm off to Tesco's

Play nice everyone.

Great posts Chewbacca

I've never been a supporter of the RF but that said, a slimmed down version which Charles is aiming for is a lot more preferable than a republic.

As for who would be head of state, we've answered that about 146 times.

Could you provide some links, please, Alegrias, I either missed the posts or have forgotten.

After your visit to Tesco will be fine, I have to get lunch now.

Alegrias1

An election

And how would that be organised? And by whom?

Alegrias1

An election

Oh no, surely a referendum, that always seems to bring out the best in the electorate

Actually in the context of Scottish Independence, maybe it did!

Isnt treason to try to get rid of the monarchy?

AcornFairy

Alegrias1

An election

And how would that be organised? And by whom?

Given that we haven't decided yet if we want an elected HoS, I venture to comment that this question is a bit premature.

Rosycheeks

Isnt treason to try to get rid of the monarchy?

Isn't it dictatorship not to allow citizens to decide how to run their country?

The public can debate what they want at any time. This is a delightfully free and open country in which to live and express free speech

I'll put it on my list of things to think about. Looking at the list I might get round to it eventually, then again I might not live that long.

www.gransnet.com/forums/chat/1293120-On-borrowed-time-the-royals?pg=12.

www.gransnet.com/forums/ask_a_gran/1288404-William-and-Kate-s-rail-trip?pg=9.

www.gransnet.com/forums/news_and_politics/1296090-Royalist-is-our-post-Brexit-religion?pg=4.

www.gransnet.com/forums/chat/1294473-How-the-Royal-Family-might-change-with-Charles-then-William-as-Monarch?pg=6.

Knock yourselves out.

Alegrias1 Given that we haven't decided yet if we want an elected HoS, I venture to comment that this question is a bit premature.
So first the country will be divided over whether to keep the monarchy, then divided over whether to have a HoS, and then divided again over who it should be. More argument, more division. I thought you folk were constantly harping on about how dividing the country was damaging our society, yet here you want to create more division.

Republic supports a non-partisan head of state who is not involved in making political decisions or running the government. So we don't support a system like they have in France or the United States.

We believe the best alternative to the monarchy is a head of state who is able to do the job that the Queen cannot do. It is a serious job of representing the nation, acting as referee in the political process, championing the interests of the people and defending our democratic traditions.

The great thing about an elected head of state is that their actions, behaviour and public spending are all open to proper scrutiny, and if they do something wrong they can be sacked. So unlike Prince Charles, who ignores the unwritten rule that he shouldn't become political, in a republic the head of state could be challenged if they step out of line.

Why do we want a republic?
It's simple: Hereditary public office goes against every democratic principle.

And because we can’t hold the Queen and her family to account at the ballot box, there’s nothing to stop them abusing their privilege, misusing their influence or simply wasting our money.

Meanwhile, the monarchy gives vast arbitrary power to the government, shutting voters out from major decisions affecting the national interest. The Queen can only ever act in the interests of the government of the day and does not represent ordinary voters.

Candidates may be people with successful careers in law, business, foreign affairs, teaching, science, or someone who has made a name for themselves championing a popular cause or running a big charity. In a great country like ours, with over sixty million people, we'll be spoilt for choice.