Pomp and Ceremony

[Noggin]

It's often said that the Royalty costs every taxpayer and so they shouldn't be there or the taxpayer shouldn't pay

But it's a few quid a year per person (the only figure I could find was 2011 and £2.60 per taxpayer) which isn't a lot. Especially given the money that comes in from tourism connected to the Royalty.

But then, I'm no longer a UK taxpayer and so don't really have that much feeling on it - except that I do feel the royalty (in general, barring one or two currently) afford the UK some gravitas that is sadly lacking from its politicians!!

[Yorick]

It was probably the most watched live TV event ever. A billion folk watched it.
It was the most moving and wonderful thing I've ever seen.
Celebrating our amazing Queen

But everywhere you look, miserable gits are moaning about what it cost.
Pathetic really.

[Kneerly Down]

It was probably the most watched live TV event ever. A billion folk watched it.

Possibly more than 4 billion.

£27m was spent on the London Olympics opening ceremony btw.

[Pirahna]

Especially given the money that comes in from tourism connected to the Royalty.

The old "they bring in more than they cost" line. That's what they want you to think.

[DefTrap]

It was probably the most watched live TV event ever. A billion folk watched it.
It was the most moving and wonderful thing I've ever seen.
Celebrating our amazing Queen

But everywhere you look, miserable gits are moaning about what it cost.
Pathetic really.

Are they though? Depends where you look innit? I think I've blinkered myself to most of the bollocks over the last few years. I think it coincided with not watching the evening news.

It's a shame because I don't want to be uninformed but most of it is terrible nonsense.

[Cousin Jack]

The old "they bring in more than they cost" line. That's what they want you to think.

If we replaced the King with a President the first things he or she would want would be a new shiny presidential palace, and a presdential jet of course.

Cheaper to keep the King.

[cheb]

How often would we elect a president and how much would each election cost?

Cromwell tried to get his son to succeed him on the throne, happily he failed.

[Mr Moofo]

How often would we elect a president and how much would each election cost?

Cromwell tried to get his son to succeed him on the throne, happily he failed.

As we have seen recently, the presidentially system can be very flawed ...

[slowsider]

How often would we elect a president and how much would each election cost?

Cromwell tried to get his son to succeed him on the throne, happily he failed.

Hang on, a hereditary monarchy is okay because a hereditary protectorate didn't work?

[Pirahna]

The old "they bring in more than they cost" line. That's what they want you to think.

If we replaced the King with a President the first things he or she would want would be a new shiny presidential palace, and a presdential jet of course.

Cheaper to keep the King.

The problem I have with the monarchy are things like Royal Assent. Wasn't Brexit partly about unelected officials having sway over how the UK is governed, or is it OK if the unelected official is the king or queen? How about the deal queenie negotiated with John Major's government that the royal family are exempt from death duties (Tories making sure money stays where it's supposed to). There's a coulple of examples.

Presidents don't have to wield the sort of power that those in the US do, the office can be used to present a figurehead type role. Look to Ireland for an example. The decision making is left to Parliament and the unelected House of Lords, or maybe there's some change needed there as well.

[cheb]

How often would we elect a president and how much would each election cost?

Cromwell tried to get his son to succeed him on the throne, happily he failed.

Hang on, a hereditary monarchy is okay because a hereditary protectorate didn't work?

An hereditary monarchy is slightly less bad than a presidency IMO. Cromwell's actions just showed what humans are like, mostly self serving and hypocritical. Obviously nobody on here, but other people who aren't in my tribe.

[Yambo]

Presidents don't have to wield the sort of power that those in the US do, the office can be used to present a figurehead type role. Look to Ireland for an example. The decision making is left to Parliament and the unelected House of Lords, or maybe there's some change needed there as well.

Like a King (or Queen) you mean?

If there's no power available, just a chance to wear some nice robes now and again, who's going to apply? We've got a figurehead type role and it's a good reason to not have to vote for 'none of the above'.

The last time Royal Assent was refused was more than 300 years ago. It's a simple formality, hardly a wielding of power.

President Branson, President Tommy Atkins or perhaps President Pirahna? Do you feel lucky?

[slowsider]

Presidents don't have to wield the sort of power that those in the US do, the office can be used to present a figurehead type role. Look to Ireland for an example. The decision making is left to Parliament and the unelected House of Lords, or maybe there's some change needed there as well.

Like a King (or Queen) you mean?

If there's no power available, just a chance to wear some nice robes now and again, who's going to apply? We've got a figurehead type role and it's a good reason to not have to vote for 'none of the above'.

The last time Royal Assent was refused was more than 300 years ago. It's a simple formality, hardly a wielding of power.

President Branson, President Tommy Atkins or perhaps President Pirahna? Do you feel lucky?

PM Johnson, PM Truss? How lucky do you feel?


Why have either then? An hereditary monarchy is hardly democratic.

[Greenman]

It was probably the most watched live TV event ever. A billion folk watched it.
It was the most moving and wonderful thing I've ever seen.
Celebrating our amazing Queen

But everywhere you look, miserable gits are moaning about what it cost.
Pathetic really.

Well they have a point.

The Monarchy chose to use tax money to pay for the £8m funeral when the country is almost on it's knees financially, they could of easily of paid for it out of their own pockets, but CHOSE to fund it through tax money, i don't think that was right, do you?

Are they going to pay for our funerals as well, or will we have to pay for them ourselves?

[Mr. Dazzle]

I wouldn't have thought the Monarchy chose to use tax payers money either. Queenie was head of state, so it was a state affair managed by the government.

BTW the only place I've seen people moaning about the cost is on here, mostly via people moaning about other people moaning Seek and ye shall find.

[Greenman]

It was probably the most watched live TV event ever. A billion folk watched it.
It was the most moving and wonderful thing I've ever seen.
Celebrating our amazing Queen

But everywhere you look, miserable gits are moaning about what it cost.
Pathetic really.

Well they have a point.

The Monarchy chose to use tax money to pay for the £8m funeral when the country is almost on it's knees financially, they could of easily of paid for it out of their own pockets, but CHOSE to fund it through tax money, i don't think that was right, do you?

Are they going to pay for our funerals as well, or will we have to pay for them ourselves?

Should they pay? They wouldn't have gotten away with a quiet do at the local crem, the public wanted all that show.
That would be a right kick in the balls, imagine if that happened to you, forced to parade about like a circus to send your dear old mum off, and then having to pay £8m for it.

If i was in such a position i would be able to afford to pay for it myself, just like the monarchy had the money to pay for it themselves!

For me it was just a bit of a kick in the teeth. We are all struggling to even warm our houses and at the same time being asked to pay £8m+ for a funeral for one of the richest monarch's in the world, how does that even seem the slightest bit fair?

[Horse]

I wouldn't have thought the Monarchy chose to use tax payers money either. Queenie was head of state, so it was a state affair managed by the government.

According to the BBC

In rare cases, a state funeral can also be held for "other exceptionally distinguished persons". These have included Sir Isaac Newton, Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Lord Palmerston.

Perhaps change to "other exceptionally distinguished persons with shedloads of cash"?

[Greenman]

If i was in such a position i would be able to afford to pay for it myself, just like the monarchy had the money to pay for it themselves!

For me it was just a bit of a kick in the teeth. We are all struggling to even warm our houses and at the same time being asked to pay £8m+ for a funeral for one of the richest monarch's in the world, how does that even seem the slightest bit fair?

The poor sod had to bury his mother whilst millions of people scrutinised his every step and emotion, for days - and you think on top of that he should have paid for the privilege so you can have an extra bar lit up on your fire.

Put a sweater on and show some compassion.

Life's a bitch, just because your super rich doesn't make it any different.

Maybe they should of shown some compassion to us by paying for it themselves, it wasn't just him grieving it was the entire nation, as i say, it works both ways!

[Count Steer]

I wouldn't have thought the Monarchy chose to use tax payers money either. Queenie was head of state, so it was a state affair managed by the government.

According to the BBC

In rare cases, a state funeral can also be held for "other exceptionally distinguished persons". These have included Sir Isaac Newton, Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington and Lord Palmerston.

Perhaps change to "other exceptionally distinguished persons with shedloads of cash"?

They put on a fair show for Churchill in 65 too. That was a state funeral. Seems fair enough if they've been a real figurehead and it's what the majority expect/want. The problem is that a few keep telling the many what should or shouldn't happen.

[cheb]

I think the problem is that hoi polloi aren't right thinking, they seem to like the monarchy. The good ones can be praised, the bad ones can be pilloried.

Still, it's not bad pay for being in the world's most successful soap opera, they might even get close to being paid as much as a footballer.