Off Topic The Coronation Countdown Calendar, cut out and keep souvenir edition

Elected presidents/heads of state are invariably divisive. America is the prime example of this, though I’m sure there are examples throughout the world. Someone once said if the late Queen…it’s not the power she holds but the power she denies others. I think the royal family are a unifying force in that they belong to everyone….you can turn out to greet them without it mattering what politics or religion you adhere to.

 

Kind of missing my point again.

 

Just imagine if we got a Putin kind of person in charge, or an Erdogan….

 

^^^^This.
I don’t worship the King, but am proud of our heritage and IMO the monarchy is one thing that sets the UK different from the rest of the world.

The scenes of the golden carriage making its way down the Mall and then shortly after the thousands of people descending down it was a great sight.

As Fran said on a previous post it is basically our USP and is envied the world over. Maybe the older you get the more you appreciate it.

 

Which particular point?

 

In my experience, there is an incredible sense of entitlement among the younger generation. Not all mind you. And I don't mean feeling entitled to a decent job or good housing, but more in the sense that rules don't apply to them and they feel they're they're the ones that are in charge and thus do what they want.

 

I wonder how much Putins mob spend on their Moscow Military Parades, money that could be spent feeding the cold and starving people in other areas of the nation?
If they spent more on their population and less on arms and war mongering they might get some respect from the rest of the World.

 

Id argue that's the same kind of sweeping generalization you get about Baby Boomers being a selfish generation that reaped the rewards of the generations before them, then salted the earth and made sure their children lost the advantages and opportunities they were afforded in life. Its not that simple but you paint it that way.

Respect is a two way street and this country treats its young with utter disdain, so is it a surprise that they return the favour?

 

About young inconsiderate people growing older and thinking about others.

People get older, get a mortgage and become comfortable. They stop thinking about public services, education etc. They read the mail and vote Tory. I’m alright Jack.

 

I find the history of the monarchy fascinating and I enjoy learning about it.

I just don’t think it should be here in this day and age. It’s function has got smaller and smaller, yet it remains completely at odds with our values as a democratic society. It’s reprehensible and immoral.

 

This is exactly how I feel.

I find a lot of the sycophantism around the Royal Family extremely cringe inducing, however I absolutely would not trust our politicians to remodel our Head of State position, particularly while we still have FPTP, the House of Lords and uneven devolution across the UK, all of which are way more problematic and have a much more negative impact on life in this country than the Monarchy.

I fully agree with the sentiment that there shouldn't be a Royal family in this day and age, but its a balancing act and ultimately the removal of the Monarchy is just not worth it for the upheaval it would bring, unless Divine God Emporer Boris Johnson is a risk you are willing to take.

 

Didn’t watch it, couldn’t care less about the royal family or a load of people mincing about in stupid uniforms

If it cost £250m, I’m sure the money could’ve been better spent. It also could easily have gone to a load of MPs who spend it on bag, their bills and second homes and expense it back.

 

That is labelling, tarring many with same brush, it probably isn't true of the majority, just a mistaken perception by yourself. I worked hard for just under 50 years, paid my dues on time, every time, earned a reasonable pension and live a relatively comfortable life, it doesn't encourage me to vote Tory, I was born a Socialist and nothing has encouraged me to change. My current view of some youngsters is that many have been brought up with a lack of respect, many with a poor education, not always their fault, but it is still a fact. Many 18 - 30's spend their life on computer games and getting pissed in clubs and think it is the hip thing to do. They don't give a toss for the needy and poor. Nor do they involve themselves in politics or Social activity. That's a 21st Century thing. Lack of respect for our nation and no interest in history or tradition isn't good for our future, I am not long enough on this planet to worry about things I can't change.

 

So, what useful thing did you do on a cold wet Saturday that enhanced the life of others?

 

I've liked this for the first line, because there's always an element of truth in a good joke. You just know that could happen if the general public were let loose in a vote for a President. I did find the Boaty McBoatface name vote amusing though, thankfully the organisers took the joke for what it was and named the boat what they wanted in the first place. They obviously gave the great British pubic more credit than they deserved.

 

Yes it is a generalisation and not true for all, but it is sadly for a large minority. I live in a Tory stronghold, full of retired people living in large houses. You can’t tell me they vote Tory because they think it’s best for the country? Middle England voted for brexit, did they think it would be best for the uk? No they wanted to get rid of the bloody foreigners.

I agree with you, a lot of young people are like that. It starts with poor parenting. But then people have been saying that about younger generations since the dawn of time. It’s not a 21st century thing.

 

But on the other hand isn't this the exact same kind of complaint people were making about the young in the 70's?

I do find there are pockets of sentiment where some younger people seem to have the belief that this is a terrible country to be in, which in global terms is very wide of the mark.

However most of the young today have grown up during a long period of decline in a country where they are often openly vilified and they can see that their future prospects are sinking so apathy is setting in.

Now guarantee them the same rights as their elders, build housing, develop infrastructure then train and pay adequately for the key roles the country needs and maybe you will find the respect starts to come to the fore.

 

But we wouldn't. It would be a purely ceremonial role, as it pretty much is now. Nobody suggests we replace the monarchy with an actual ruler.

Personally, I think we should give the job to both Ant and Dec, on the condition that they stand on one another's shoulders and wear a big coat as if they were one person.

They're on TV all the time anyway.

 

Michael Palin