Poll: The Monarchy

[daverobev]

Are you sure about that???? Link, please, I thought the queen had basically no power whatsoever.

[Big RICHARD]

This one do ya?

[spikegifted]

Since the beginning of the eighteenth century, the monarch has become a constitutional monarch, which means that he or she is bound by rules and conventions and remains politically impartial.

On almost all matters he or she acts on the advice of ministers. While acting constitutionally, the Sovereign retains an important political role as Head of State, formally appointing prime ministers, approving certain legislation and bestowing honours.

The Queen also has important roles to play in other organisations, including the Armed Forces and the Church of England.

So, where is the monarch's power? There is, effectively, none.

[Big RICHARD]

Why does the monarch NEED power?

From reading the lines you quoted:

On almost all matters he or she acts on the advice of ministers. While acting constitutionally, the Sovereign retains an important political role as Head of State, formally appointing prime ministers, approving certain legislation and bestowing honours.

She is HEAD OF STATE. She formally appoints Prime Ministers (now just a formality)
Approves certain legislation. Meaning she has power over which laws are and aren't passed.
Bestowing honours, giving recognition to those people deserving of such an award.

The Queen also has important roles to play in other organisations, including the Armed Forces and the Church of England.

She is asked (by the government) if we can use HER armed forces in conflict, she says no, they don't go......
She is also the leader of the Church of England.

Did you read the bit you quoted?

[DaBeeeenster]

Originally posted by daverobev
..in which case, there should be NO inheritance at all, we should all be born equal.

The Queen is Queen because in the long distant past their family beat all the other families in this country, and have been decent enough to give up enough power when required to not have been kicked off the throne.

Basically you are talking communism, its all down that road...no birthright (and what do they GET from their birth right? The right to give out a few honours? Big house?).

I just don't see the problem, unless you believe they are fundamentally wrong badly enough to have a revolution and share everything equally.

Don't get me wrong, communism is a great ideal! Shame it doesn't work though....

So, in the mean time, until all humanity becomes completely altruistic, we live in a capitalist society with inheritance and whatnot.

If you're Rupert Murdoch's son or daughter, chances are you'll inherit a damn site more power (maybe, I'm just using this for an example...) than any Royal. Actual power, I mean.

Basically....for us not to lose that part of our culture, and some great fundraisers/ambassadors, we need to have some people to do those jobs. And not be directors of some big company on the side. Why not leave that job with people who are basically trained for it from birth??

What on earth does being an anti-royalist have to do with communism? That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard!

BirthRIGHT does not mean birthMONEY. They are entirely different. The Queen is Queen by birthRIGHT. I'm not talking about this in terms of the money. I'm talking about the principles of birthrights...

[Big RICHARD]

Dabeeenster:

Assuming that everyone is born equal is a fairly communist/socialist view, which is actually untrue. Remember, 'everyone is born equal, just some are born more equal than others'

Communism isn't just about the money, rights for everyone are also a communist fundamental. So, by referring to birthright you are bringing the communism argument into this.......

PS - Not having a go mate!

[spikegifted]

...the monarch has become a constitutional monarch, which means that he or she is bound by rules and conventions and remains politically impartial.

You do understand this sentence? '[H]e or she is bound by rules and conventions and remains politically impartial.' Does this mean the monarch has power? I don't think so.

[Big RICHARD]

It's a bit of an ambiguous statement to be honest! The monarch does have power, but it is more difficult to exercise that power than it used to be.

[spikegifted]

And thanks to the passage of time, the monarch has, effectively, no power.

[Big RICHARD]

Originally posted by spikegifted
And thanks to the passage of time, the monarch has, effectively, no power.

Nah, if the queen decided not to allow a law to pass, it wouldn't. I would hope in the event of the BNP being elected that she would exercise this right/responsibility.

[DaBeeeenster]

Originally posted by Big RICHARD
Dabeeenster:

Assuming that everyone is born equal is a fairly communist/socialist view, which is actually untrue. Remember, 'everyone is born equal, just some are born more equal than others'

Communism isn't just about the money, rights for everyone are also a communist fundamental. So, by referring to birthright you are bringing the communism argument into this.......

PS - Not having a go mate!

FFS! I'M NOT SAYING THAT WE SHOULD ALL BE STRIPPED OF EVERY SINGLE THING WHEN WE ARE BORN.

The 99.9% of people in this country are born of equal status in terms of the rights they have. The Royal family are not. They enjoy different rights.

For the second time, THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MONEY OR COMMUNISM. It's to do with the rights they are born with. OK?

Sorry, bit cross that I have to explain myself three times!

There is NO REASENED ARGUMENT to back up why people should be entitled to different rights purely on account of their family. That's what I have an issue with. If anyone wants to try and argue that, be my guest...

[DaBeeeenster]

Originally posted by spikegifted
And thanks to the passage of time, the monarch has, effectively, no power.

Yes, EFFECTIVELY they have no power, but theoretically they do. This is not about practicalities. This is about the theoretical fact that they do have power if they wish to exercise it. The fact that they never exercise that power is immaterial. This is what I disagree with. They should not be born into this power. They should earn it like everyone else.

[daverobev]

What rights do the royals have that we don't? are they exempt from the "can't smoke before 16/can't drink before 18" laws? The speeding laws? The murder laws? What EXACTLY do they have, that you don't? In terms of RIGHTS as a human being?

[spikegifted]

Originally posted by daverobev
What EXACTLY do they have, that you don't? In terms of RIGHTS as a human being?

Well, I know they loose a lot of rights being part of the Royal Family... To start with, they don't have much rights to their own privacy. Nearly everything they do is under scrutiny... They don't have any right to choose their country of residency... They don't have much right to choose their occupations...

[DaBeeeenster]

Originally posted by daverobev
What rights do the royals have that we don't? are they exempt from the "can't smoke before 16/can't drink before 18" laws? The speeding laws? The murder laws? What EXACTLY do they have, that you don't? In terms of RIGHTS as a human being?

They have the right to be the royal family. For me, that's enough. They are "royalty" and we are merely "commoners". That I have a problem with. They are "the royal family". That in itself is the thing I have issue with.

They get into Oxbridge without question, even if their grades (like Williams) are poor.

They have the ability to knight people etc. etc. etc. I mean, anyone accepting a knighthood or any other carp like that is a complete idiot IMHO.

[Big RICHARD]

Originally posted by daverobev
What rights do the royals have that we don't? are they exempt from the "can't smoke before 16/can't drink before 18" laws? The speeding laws? The murder laws? What EXACTLY do they have, that you don't? In terms of RIGHTS as a human being?

Try arresting the queen for ANYTHING. You won't be able to do it. You can't even get the queen to give evidence in court.