****'s sake, Ukraine, didn't you know that it's disrespectful to be fighting the Russians right now...?
Interesting debate on the monarchy. If monarchies did not exist I doubt anyone would think of picking someone, giving them a position as Head of State and then declaring that their heirs in perpetuity get the same privilege. Having said that I don't think our monarchy is too harmful. Like the population as a whole and politicians especially it contains the good the bad and the ugly. our monarch is titular Head of State and in truth wields almost no power and should a King or Queen now seek to interfere in political matters the ensuing constitutional crisis would almost certainly remove even more of the few powers they have left. I cannot name one politician I would like to see as Head of State so having an elected President does not attract me. Power in the UK theoretically lies in Parliament so if you want reform you need to start there - and where better than to completely reform the House of Lords. If I were more politically inclined that is where I would start and like some others on here I would go for PR without a shadow of doubt to ensure that compromise between parties that have no overall majority takes place. In fact I believe power in the UK - like most other countries lies in the hands of the wealthy who stealthily go about getting what they want without ever showing themselves.
The monarchy is the head of the whole structure of the aristocracy, they are the rich and powerful that you rightly identify. I have spent the last 6 years negotiating with a Duke trying to buy land for a community. The main opposition has come from the forelock tugging peasants who fear change. As long as we have a monarchy this whole struture survives and the new rich will continue to be invited to join it and continue the denial of a true democracy. Just look at Boris's cabinet and who was in it, the over whelming qualification was wealth. In Scotland just 500 people own half the land. The argument about Presidents is always trotted out but the important point is that you can get rid of them. I am sure Charles is probably a decent human being but to say he has no power is completely wrong as the Prince of Wales he had enourmous wealth and power and that is now multiplied as King. If anything had happened to Charles, Andrew would have been in line, just think on that.
The Queen’s death seems to be an excuse to go full on British Empire. It’s our USP around the world apparently.
