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No spending cuts for the royal family
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by generaldecay | September 26, 2009 at 07:09 am
210 views | 28 Recommendations | 23 comments
(I refuse to use title case to refer to that lot.)
So, in a year when the UK is experiencing a recession the like of which has not been seen for 30 years, and public spending is being cut every which way it possibly can, one family can do as it likes with tax-payers' money. And by heck, it will too.
Never mind health care, educating our youth, looking after our elderly, the royals need a holiday and some new hats, dammit.
Although all of the major political parties are vying to demonstrate their willingness to wield the axe on public spending, MPs will be powerless to reduce the £7.9m a year paid under the civil list because of an obscure deal struck between Buckingham Palace and the Treasury in 1972 when the current legislation governing royal finances was drawn up.
I don't know if it's possible to respect a group of people less than I respect Britain's royal family. By what freak occurance did they get such 'status' anyway? And, more importantly, in 2009, what relevance has a 'regal' bloodline to anything?
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Recommendations (28)
Amy Judd
Vancouver, Canada
The_Cynic
Freddy Beach, Where the deer r, Canada
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Beaulieu
London, United Kingdom
Roy C
Vancouver, Washington, United States
smkovalinsky
New York, New York, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (23)
at 07:17 on September 26th, 2009
Not surprised at all I have to say - what a joke, they should lead by example I think.
at 07:22 on September 26th, 2009
Amy, quite. If they didn't spend so much money that could be used 100 times better elsewhere, I would find them quite laughable. As it is, I think they're quite a sinister bunch.
(Edit: oh, and thanks for the recommendation and comment.)
at 07:52 on September 26th, 2009
You're right to be upset as probably many others are on this subject. In The Netherlands and Spain we do encounter the same inconsistency with Royal House keepings. In Spain however the Royal family is more modest and down to Earth, which certainly is not the case in Britain and The Netherlands. Their arrogance and 'nolens volens' distance created from the ordinary public that adores them at every public happening is disgusting too. Monarchy versus Government explains the system that actually is not anymore of today's society. New legislation is required to better adapt to changed circumstances. But don't expect that legislators are hungry to do so, it could harm their reelection! Conclusion our society is rotten to the bone.
at 10:23 on September 26th, 2009
PIM, thank you for this comment. Yes, it is the sheer ostentation of the British royal family that I object to. There is no other such family in Europe which is as lavish as this one, I dare say, and I think that most people in Britain are getting tired of having to support them and their utter pointlessness.
at 10:46 on September 26th, 2009
Yes you are right but the Dutch Royals are as worse as the British. For visit to Antwerp last year from The Hague, Queen Beatrix used an expensive plane on taxpayers' account (additionally to their own admitted taxpayers' money) to cover the distance of 80 KM (50 Miles) that could have been covered in less time by car for 1/10 of the expenses. Because she didn't want to cross boarder at the frontier that doesn't exist anymore for many years, since the BeNeLux was established 30 odd years ago! Awful situations that are tolerated by the Government!
at 09:31 on September 27th, 2009
That is absurd but completely unsurprising. Perhaps it's not so shocking that someone tried to have a pop at the Dutch royals on Queen's day this year.
at 11:06 on September 26th, 2009
Prince Charles reads his Jung books and tells the rest of us to ride buses, both good ideas, but his elitism bespeaks the kind of un-overcome vanity and narcissism that has condemned royal bloodlines the world over to the evolutionary junk pile.
Cut off the funds.
at 11:14 on September 26th, 2009
Certainly the best solution, but the crowds like to cheer the Royals and don't mind, which maybe the dilemma!
at 08:46 on September 27th, 2009
They can cheer someone elected PIM:-) In fact, because they're elected, they could get more cheers and crowds.
at 09:36 on September 27th, 2009
Indeed, Beaulieu. I cheer harder for democracy!
at 11:16 on September 26th, 2009
I think we need a referendum on keeping them on.
Thanks for uploading the story.
at 09:40 on September 27th, 2009
Beaulieu, I would be very interested to see how a referendum would go. I think it would be close, but we sensible anti-royalists would win out in the end.
I dare say it's never going to happen, though...
at 07:57 on September 29th, 2009
I saw a poll done at an exhibition in London. It was neck and neck, mainly because some people 'are traditionalists' and [or they don't really care'.
at 08:01 on September 29th, 2009
It would be great to do go on a march against them, right outside Buck 'House, along millionaire's esplanade:-)
at 10:19 on September 27th, 2009
Countries with Royals will never vote a majority, in a referendum, to abolish the King or Queen. Don't make any expectation. In a Republic the history and consequently the publics' opinion is different. Unfortunately any speculation made above will never come true.
at 10:55 on September 27th, 2009
PIM, I'm not convinced that's true at all. With increases in immigration, a lot of people in the UK don't even know who the royal family are, and would be very unlikely to support them in a referendum. Members of my age group (early 30s), and definitely those in younger age groups, would not support the royal family. In fact, the only reliable supporters the royal family has is those in the retirement age group. That's a relatively small group. Historically, yes, what you say may be the case, but Britain is a very quickly changing society and is not frightened to vote accordingly. If a referendum ever took place (and the chances of Westminster ever calling for one is, of course, minimal) the results may be very surprising.
at 08:00 on September 29th, 2009
Some of people like me have never even met the royal family, though they are everywhere in OK magazine. They have done nothing for me.
at 11:20 on September 27th, 2009
What you mentioned about Westminster is exactly what I tried to get across to you. This hurdle does stop the bucket, thus no abolishing of Royalty. I'm in my seventies and feel like you. So another half a century probably you will get what you want.:)
at 13:07 on September 27th, 2009
Ah, yes. My point was about the people. Alas, though, we don't live in such a democracy that would ever bring such a decision to the people. The whole country would probably blow up or something!
But I still disagree with your point about a country with royalty - such as this one - never voting a majority against royalty. I honestly think this one could given half a chance.
at 08:02 on September 29th, 2009
Yes they have to really put their foot in it, then they will.
at 00:29 on September 28th, 2009
I'm completely in agreement with you, however traditions are difficult to change or to eradicate. That counts for the system and the people living within it. Read my yesterday's posting and you will understand that change anyhow is on its way. Probably offering you the success of the necessary change on Royalties. By the way it is not only UK, I dealt with but also the others in Europe, Thailand and Japan.
at 08:03 on September 29th, 2009
Unfortunately we don't have the guillotine like the French, although there maybe a mock one in the London Dungeon:-)
at 08:06 on September 29th, 2009
Republic, the organisation who want an elected British Head of State are outraged:
Source: republic.co.uk