The Queen

[Johnny Byrne's Boots]

Never mind. For one joyous moment I thought hoped it might be His Royal Nonceness. Now that would be fun.

[Eggs'n'nuts]

Never mind. For one joyous moment I thought hoped it might be His Royal Nonceness. Now that would be fun.

No mate.

He's well down the pecking order.

[smuts]

Can’t find the pictures (was on thread on Reddit) but Charlie’s fingers don’t look good, swollen and clearly holding fluid. He’ll get the best treatment known to man and We’ve not idea of that is causing it. Liver and heart damage are two of top causes though.

They never got the tech right to conceal his alien Lizard hands properly...

[Danny's Dyer Acting]

We're all in it together. Apart from our betters.

[Johnny Byrne's Boots]

When the prime justification for a monarchy is 'live bait for tourists' you know it won't be long.

[RichieRiv]

I would have thought the Jubilee celebrations proved that its more than a tourist attraction.

[Monkeybubbles]

I would have thought the Jubilee celebrations proved that its more than a tourist attraction.

Yes, it's a day off work every so often as well

[OFT]

When the prime justification for a monarchy is 'live bait for tourists' you know it won't be long.

Until?

[Johnny Byrne's Boots]

Until more people question whether, in the twenty first century, a hereditary head of state and its associated feudal system is the best way forward.

[OFT]

Until more people question whether, in the twenty first century, a hereditary head of state and its associated feudal system is the best way forward.

I thought you may be suggesting 'revolution'

It's not that I'm mega keen on the current system, although I do like to see all the pageantry etc. but very concerned as to what may replace it. If we're going to have an elected HoS I assume 'they' will want an element of power(rather stifling in the USA and presumably about to become so in France). If we are going to go through the misery of more elections just to elect someone to 'shake hands and have tea' with , for example, 'World Leaders' we may as well have someone with some gravitas, someone who commands respect. I do appreciate that Her Maj has been a one orrf and there are too many hangers on, but those 'hangers on are a price I'd be prepared to pay to avoid elected Presidents Johnson, Blair, Khan or Rees Mogg.

tis one of my bugbears
I suppose it's a classic, 'be careful what you wish for' situation.

I'm making no assumptions about your perspective on the matter by the way JBB

[Johnny Byrne's Boots]

I have no animosity towards the royal family, I wish them no ill, but I feel the time of monarchies has passed. This does not automatically mean an elected president to host banquets and shake hands on behalf of the nation, for I have a cunning plan.

Replace the House of Lords with a Second Chamber. It can introduce and amend legislation, but ultimately the still FPTP Commons has primacy. This Second Chamber is made up of:-
Fifty percent elected by PR, to serve for ten years
Thirty percent appointed by an independent commission (we'll still need expertise and experience), to serve for six years
Twenty percent chosen at random from the electoral register, to serve for four years
The Second Chamber will elect from among their number an Honorary Speaker. This Honorary Speaker will be the purely ceremonial Head of State.

Under this system (all numbers are up for discussion) we have PR, the voice of ordinary people actually being heard, and the possibility of you, me or a single mother from a high rise being our Head of State, and who's to say they won't make a good job of it?

[OFT]

I have no animosity towards the royal family, I wish them no ill, but I feel the time of monarchies has passed. This does not automatically mean an elected president to host banquets and shake hands on behalf of the nation, for I have a cunning plan.

Replace the House of Lords with a Second Chamber. It can introduce and amend legislation, but ultimately the still FPTP Commons has primacy. This Second Chamber is made up of:-
Fifty percent elected by PR, to serve for ten years
Thirty percent appointed by an independent commission (we'll still need expertise and experience), to serve for six years
Twenty percent chosen at random from the electoral register, to serve for four years
The Second Chamber will elect from among their number an Honorary Speaker. This Honorary Speaker will be the purely ceremonial Head of State.

Under this system (all numbers are up for discussion) we have PR, the voice of ordinary people actually being heard, and the possibility of you, me or a single mother from a high rise being our Head of State, and who's to say they won't make a good job of it?

I'm fairly sure I could make a balls of it

[Hummer_I_mean_Hammer]

Yes, it's a day off work every so often as well

Not so bloody great for us agency workers seeing no pay.

Less bank holidays if you please.

[EastHam56]

JBB it goes along with my thinking .
I would make it 9 to 5 monday to friday , so no second job using this as a bit of extra cash .
Also any expenses to be regulated

[Shabu]

Not a fan of the Royals myself, although not really against them per se but the interest in them in America is HUGE.

Whether that brings in $$$ I don't know but they're a huge talking point.

[RichieRiv]

Rest assured the monarchy will outlast you, your children, your grandchildren and in fact your great grandchildren.

[chelmsfordhammer91]

Not a fan of the Royals myself, although not really against them per se but the interest in them in America is HUGE.

Whether that brings in $$$ I don't know but they're a huge talking point.

I think it works out about a quid per person per year being put in to their coffers, including everyone, so around 70-75 million quid annually. However, the return is about 6-7x, overall a net earner.

I would have thought a load of independent shops do well with the tourism etc.

[westham,eggyandchips]

Not a fan of the Royals myself, although not really against them per se

What?!