Are you a Royalist ?

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Here's me thinking that those who don't care wouldn't bother reading the thread

They have to read the thread to determine whether they care or not.

[LondonRoad]

Should we have a poll about whether polls should automatically include a "don't care" option.

I would set it up but it's not important to me

Monarchy or republic there will always be a class system and it will be based on who has most money and property much of it inherited.You only have to look at the French which still have a class system despite all their claims tot he contrary and it's based on wealth and property like every other republic.

Many years ago it would have been a 'Not bothered option'. Today. I have a lot of respect for the Monachy. It's a status symbol of Britain and holds a lot of Historical Values.

[Tezcatlipoca]

I don't particularly like the idea of a hereditary monarchy, but...

... I'd rather have a monarch than a President Blair.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Matt D

I don't particularly like the idea of a hereditary monarchy, but...

... I'd rather have a monarch than a President Blair.

Merely the thought makes me feel quick sick!

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Monarchy or republic there will always be a class system and it will be based on who has most money and property much of it inherited.You only have to look at the French which still have a class system despite all their claims tot he contrary and it's based on wealth and property like every other republic.

totally agree ,look at the USA it's never had a Monarchy and in my opinion it's class system is more prominent than most countries that have or used to have.
I think we have the balance just about right between the power of the Monarchy and the state

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by joglynne

On the whole I believe that we benefit from having a Royal Family so I guess I am a Royalist.

We benefit mainly from having moulded it to suit our needs and I'm a massive fan if for no other reason than it saved us from president Blair or president Dave. That said the class system and old.boys network they sit at the head of is imo in need of massive reform

[Osem]

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

We benefit mainly from having moulded it to suit our needs and I'm a massive fan if for no other reason than it saved us from president Blair or president Dave. That said the class system and old.boys network they sit at the head of is imo in need of massive reform

Not radical reform though eh?

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Matt D

I don't particularly like the idea of a hereditary monarchy, but...

... I'd rather have a monarch than a President Blair.

Here is my view on the monarchy. I don't like the parts of it that Republicans claim it represents. I don't like the idea of inequality, of a higher class of person or of special privilege because of the family you are born into.

However I don't think that's what they, or at least the current Queen, represent. I think it's nice to have a head of state that is removed from politics. When we open the Olympic games it will be the Queen and not the current Prime Minster who will forever be associated with that moment. I think that's quite nice and very handy. We can represent the country with a figurehead who is largely free from political baggage.

I also think a lot of the people celebrating this weekend are celebrating Britain and the British and she is representing that. It's an excuse for a party and for national celebration.

It may change if Prince Charles becomes King and doesn't keep his opinions to himself but for now I like the current system.

[watzizname]

Gawd bless her..

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Osem

Not radical reform though eh?

That'll be the French way entering the debate again.

[Hom3r]

I'm proud to be British and have a Monarchy.

Look at the US, they don't have a Monarchy and have semi adopetd ours.

Originally Posted by LondonRoad

As a tax payer I do support the Monarchy but I've answered No to the intended meaning of the question

I wish no harm on any of the individuals who make up the Royal Family. Indeed, I quite admire some of them for a variety of reasons.

It's the symbolism of the Monarchy that props up a class system that I personally believe is unhealthy for our Society. That's my reason for voting No.

I see no reason why any child born in our Society shouldn't aspire to one day become head of the State. It can't happen as things stand

I was brought up to believe in equality and that I was the equal of any other person. I therefore don't think I'd ever bow in deference to anybody simply because of their bloodline.

If any of the Princes knocked on my door I'd treat them with the same respect that I'd afford any other individual. I'd shake their hands, but I wouldn't bow to them.

To be fair, neither William nor Harry would be looking for a bow.

Our monarchy has survived by adapting to each generation's expectations of it. I don't think it's fair to say it props up the class system just because it once did.

As for aspirations ... Any of our children can aspire to comparable executive power that a president like Obama or Hollande has. In the UK those powers are exercised by the prime minister, whether he is acting in the name of the sovereign or whether she is acting on advice from her ministers.

What they can't aspire to is to represent us as a nation as head of state. To be honest I think that's a very small price to pay for the advantage of never having to suffer a partisan political figure representing us, or, possibly worse, some washed up celeb.