Queen and country
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Fay Deck
Might I suggest that The Queen's website is not the most objective source of information regarding The Queen's powers (or lack thereof).
In reality, we have a presidential system of government, in all but name. This state of affairs has developed because we have a largely undefined constitution and our Head of State has no real power.
It is hardly surprising that, faced with no check to their authority (save for when their own embittered colleagues or the electorate have eventually decided to oust them), successive prime ministers have exploited their undefined powers to increase the importance of their office.
The Queen has no power. Parliament has little power. The Prime Minister has almost all the power. Like it or not, that is how Britain is governed today.
Might I suggest that The Queen's website is not the most objective source of information regarding The Queen's powers (or lack thereof).
In reality, we have a presidential system of government, in all but name. This state of affairs has developed because we have a largely undefined constitution and our Head of State has no real power.
It is hardly surprising that, faced with no check to their authority (save for when their own embittered colleagues or the electorate have eventually decided to oust them), successive prime ministers have exploited their undefined powers to increase the importance of their office.
The Queen has no power. Parliament has little power. The Prime Minister has almost all the power. Like it or not, that is how Britain is governed today.
Join Date: Oct 2000
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Queen and (another) country
A "colonial" viewpoint:
I am an 'undecided republican'. That is, I favour an Australian Republic, provided that it is at least as safe as the current system.
I swore an oath to "Her Majesty, Heirs and Successors".
I have been asked how I recocile my republican views with this oath:-
Simple - I am loyal to Her Majesty. If she is succeeded, I will be loyal to to her successor, be they a President,Grand Poobah or a Monarch. I am sure that Her Majesty undesrstands that my loyalty is to Her position as Sovereign of Australia, and is not personal. (I am reliably informed the Her Majesty is Sovereign, but NOT Head of State, or so my monarchist PM tells me.)
The real problem for Australian 'republicans' as myself is that HM is so inoccuous and yet such a powerful check on parliamentary excess that we sort of like having her there. The fact that she does so little is almost reassuring, just knowing that she is there.....just in case.
Thje other side of the coin is that I would like someone who is unequivocally MY head of state, representing Australia when travelling etc. (Oi' Chuck,...... that flat in Brunswick is still free if you wanna emigrate!....)
I am an 'undecided republican'. That is, I favour an Australian Republic, provided that it is at least as safe as the current system.
I swore an oath to "Her Majesty, Heirs and Successors".
I have been asked how I recocile my republican views with this oath:-
Simple - I am loyal to Her Majesty. If she is succeeded, I will be loyal to to her successor, be they a President,Grand Poobah or a Monarch. I am sure that Her Majesty undesrstands that my loyalty is to Her position as Sovereign of Australia, and is not personal. (I am reliably informed the Her Majesty is Sovereign, but NOT Head of State, or so my monarchist PM tells me.)
The real problem for Australian 'republicans' as myself is that HM is so inoccuous and yet such a powerful check on parliamentary excess that we sort of like having her there. The fact that she does so little is almost reassuring, just knowing that she is there.....just in case.
Thje other side of the coin is that I would like someone who is unequivocally MY head of state, representing Australia when travelling etc. (Oi' Chuck,...... that flat in Brunswick is still free if you wanna emigrate!....)
Join Date: Jan 2002
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Serving overseas, missed all the build up, but when I saw the flypast and all the crowds it reassured me that the Brit public are very much behind the Monarchy and long may it remain so. I doubt the whingeing complaining types who claim that the monarchy should be dissolved would be able to muster up the crowds like Betty has done this year.
Its a bit like the low flying debate. Those who don't like it moan their arses off and threaten the sysytem whereas all those who think things are fine and acceptable don't generally feel the urge to voice their approval.
We should encourage those around us to make their approval of things that work heard so that some reformist doesn't get the chance to change things which work and are good.
Here's to Betty
Its a bit like the low flying debate. Those who don't like it moan their arses off and threaten the sysytem whereas all those who think things are fine and acceptable don't generally feel the urge to voice their approval.
We should encourage those around us to make their approval of things that work heard so that some reformist doesn't get the chance to change things which work and are good.
Here's to Betty
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Scud-U-Like,
In order to allay your fears that I obtained my info from the Buckingham Palace Propaganda machine look at the address. It is part of the Open Government Website.
Fay
In order to allay your fears that I obtained my info from the Buckingham Palace Propaganda machine look at the address. It is part of the Open Government Website.
Fay
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Fay
http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page224.asp
As for 'Open Government', it's open to all, like the Ritz Hotel.
Scud
http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page224.asp
As for 'Open Government', it's open to all, like the Ritz Hotel.
Scud
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Scud,
Having gone to the address you posted, I take your point. However, presumably Buckingham Palace would be scrupulously accurate with information regarding the constitution that it published. (Wouldn't it?)
You can imagine the uproar that would be caused if they slipped a few extra powers for HM in there that parliament was unaware of!
Cheers,
Fay
Having gone to the address you posted, I take your point. However, presumably Buckingham Palace would be scrupulously accurate with information regarding the constitution that it published. (Wouldn't it?)
You can imagine the uproar that would be caused if they slipped a few extra powers for HM in there that parliament was unaware of!
Cheers,
Fay
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Some things about the Royals p!ss me off big time.
1. No inheritance tax paid on the QM's estate.
2. Prince Phillip-what a racist !
3. The Act of Settlement.
4. The way they waste tax payers money. eg a train journey from Euston to Worcester ( in 2000 on the royal train) by the Queen and Prince Phillip cost £34 376.
..........and there's lots more.
I took the Queens shilling during my time in the Air Force, but I'm now becoming increasingly cynical about the Royals. They set a very poor example
Queen and country ?
For me, my loyalties are family, friends and country.
1. No inheritance tax paid on the QM's estate.
2. Prince Phillip-what a racist !
3. The Act of Settlement.
4. The way they waste tax payers money. eg a train journey from Euston to Worcester ( in 2000 on the royal train) by the Queen and Prince Phillip cost £34 376.
..........and there's lots more.
I took the Queens shilling during my time in the Air Force, but I'm now becoming increasingly cynical about the Royals. They set a very poor example
Queen and country ?
For me, my loyalties are family, friends and country.
