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[Pancake Mix]

The monarchy is a good thing as it exists today.

 

[Lostconfused]

We're still a feudal society in Canada so we need the Queen to rule us via the Governor General. I'm worried that the Duke of Quebec might make a power ploy though.

Is it time for another referendum already?

 

[Pancake Mix]

Obviously it would cause the world to stop for a moment, but after that, the largest potential geopolitical consequence I can see: Australia might have another Republican referendum.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_republic_referendum,_1999

The Gillard Labor government which took power in a hung parliament following the August 2010 election indicated an intention not to revisit the issue of a vote for an Australian republic during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.[18] The Liberal-National Coalition government in power following the September 2013 federal election was led by Tony Abbott, a supporter of the constitutional monarchy. During Abbott's term as Prime Minister, Labor Opposition Leader Bill Shorten stated he believed it was time to "breathe new life into the dream of an Australian republic."[19]

On 15 September 2015, Malcolm Turnbull, a republican who was Chairman of the Australian Republican Movement from 1993 until 2000, succeeded Tony Abbott to become the Prime Minister of Australia. The change in leadership marked for the present time that the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and each of the 8 state and territory Premiers and Chief Ministers were all declared republicans. Malcolm Turnbull has previously stated that he believes Australia should become a republic after the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.[20]

 

[jstripes]

I agree nothing against Charles but I think William and Kate should be the next K&Q.

Same. He's a nice person, but I'd rather Canada drop the monarchy than have Charles appear on our currency. I like the Queen, she helped shape our country, but after she's gone, let's move on.

 

[Lostconfused]

" British royals are buried in lead-lined coffins. Diana’s weighed a quarter of a ton." The whaaaaa.

 

[PJV3]

I agree nothing against Charles but I think William and Kate should be the next K&Q.

It should definitely be Charles, I would get pissed off if public opinion/mood came into deciding it.

 

[How About No]

" British royals are buried in lead-lined coffins. Diana's weighed a quarter of a ton." The whaaaaa.

Is that a king's assload or a metric assload

 

[Napalm_Frank]

I agree nothing against Charles but I think William and Kate should be the next K&Q.

Isn't the whole point of monarchy that you don't get to choose?

 

[Pancake Mix]

Same. He's a nice person, but I'd rather Canada drop the monarchy than have Charles appear on our currency. I like the Queen, she helped shape our country, but after she's gone, let's move on.

Although a referendum is a rare sight in Canada, that should be put to one, the public will want a say. Changing the head of state is a huge move, and I think an unnecessary one, at least how it seems today.

 

[L Thammy]

Isn't the whole point of monarchy that you don't get to choose?

Actually, not necessarily.

 

[Lostconfused]

Isn't the whole point of monarchy that you don't get to choose?

Not since revolutions started happening and kings lost their heads at the hands of common men.

can listen to some of these http://www.revolutionspodcast.com/ might provide an interesting perspective on how things changed over time.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

I can't believe that her husband is still alive. He's almost 96.

Being married for 70 years is pretty crazy.

Those incest genes

 

[andythinkpad]

Do you really have to sneak in "brexit sux" comment in every UK news?

 

[jstripes]

Although a referendum is a rare sight in Canada, that should be put to one, the public will want a say. Changing the head of state is a huge move, and I think an unnecessary one, at least how it seems today.

You're right, it should go to a referendum, but our system doesn't have to change by doing so. Just officially move the role of ceremonial head of state to the Governor General. Then decide whether the GG is appointed by parliament or elected. All we'd be doing is unplugging the monarchy. You can even keep the term "the crown" in a figurative, Canadian way.

 

[Mimosa97]

Please don't tell me Charles really intends to become King ? That's the worst thing that could ever happen to the monarchy. If they want to have a chance to stay relevant he needs to abdicate and make his son King. Kate and William are their only chance.

 

[Rentahamster]

Aside from the celebrity aspect, I don't understand the fuss over the concept of having royalty around nowadays.

 

[Spaced Harrier]

Fantastic piece, read it today in work.

 

[Plasma]

Ok, do I get a day off work?

"Most of the country will be waking to a day off."

 

[moggio]

Aside from the celebrity aspect, I don't understand the fuss over the concept of having royalty around nowadays.

Apart from it being really fucking stupid?

Anyway, let's hope she's considerate and dies on a weekday.

 

[Pancake Mix]

Apart from it being really fucking stupid?

Really fucking stupid to complain about a popular figurehead? Yes, you're right.

 

[jstripes]

Please don't tell me Charles really intends to become King ? That's the worst thing that could ever happen to the monarchy. If they want to have a chance to stay relevant he needs to abdicate and make his son King. Kate and William are their only chance.

He's been waiting his whole life for it. He's not going to step aside.

 

[Wes]

Read this at work today too. Fascinating reading. The Long Read by the Guardian is normally a great and interesting piece of writing but this one in particular got a lot of people reading it.

 

[CyclopsRock]

There's plenty more tube stations to name plans after. Maybe use overground too if you run out

St Leonard's Warrior Square has fallen!

I read this this morning, it was fascinating. I'm a fan of the monarchy.

 

[moggio]

Really fucking stupid to complain about a popular figurehead? Yes, you're right.

Irrelevant anachronism.

Liz popping her clogs is a good opportunity to wind the whole nonsense up. It's been going on far too long.

 

[Mimosa97]

He's been waiting his whole life for it. He's not going to step aside.

So what ? Is he blind ? Does he not realize how dull he is ?

Man I feel like Charles coronation is gonna be the biggest bomba in the history of the british monarchy.

 

[jstripes]

So what ? Is he blind ? Does he not realize how dull he is ?

He's British.

Spoiler

Kidding.

Man I feel like Charles coronation is gonna be the biggest bomba in the history of the british monarchy.

The ceremony itself will be fine. His reign, though, will be nothing more than a glorified ribbon cutter.

 

[Taffer]

Plastic banknotes are harder to deface, no spocking King Charles. No hitlerising either or even the classic jazztwat beard & glasses. Probably not even a meat and two veg.

 

[civilstrife]

Yeah but what do you say if London Bridge is really down

 

[phisheep]

There's plenty more tube stations to name plans after. Maybe use overground too if you run out

Should be Mornington Crescent

 

[ParityBit]

That was a wonderful read. Thanks for linking!

Being from the U.S, this is mostly new to me. I remember when Princess Diana passed, we (my family/friends) were saddened greatly, but following all we could on ceremonies.

 

[lastplayed]

Why are there still kings and queens, these days? I thought was just for the feudal society, middle ages etc.

Well it might shock you to know there were kings before the middle ages, and after! etc.

 

[SomeRandomWeirdGuy]

I don't understand people getting so butthurt about the existence of monarchies. I'm American and I love em. They're such a wonderful piece of cultural history that can do a lot of good and really not much harm if they're like Britain's. Hell, didn't the previous King of Spain play a big role in the dismantling of the dictatorship?

Being Portuguese, I was saddened to learn that ours had been assassinated in the early 1900s. I think some of the House still lives but they don't have a formal position or something.

 

[InfiniteBento]

It must be super weird for the Queen to read about a country planning for her death

 

[gutter_trash]

I don't understand people getting so butthurt about the existence of monarchies. I'm American and I love em. They're such a wonderful piece of cultural history that can do a lot of good and really not much harm if they're like Britain's. Hell, didn't the previous King of Spain play a big role in the dismantling of the dictatorship?

Being Portuguese, I was saddened to learn that ours had been assassinated in the early 1900s. I think some of the House still lives but they don't have a formal position or something.

the worst part of is that they repalced the real Portuguese colors on the flag (Blue & White) with the the partisan colors of the Republican Party (Green & Red)

To me, Blue & White will always be the true colors of Portugal. Not that Green & Red political crap

---------

King Juan Carlos of Spain (was restored prior to Franco's death) was key at avoiding Spain falling into another Civil War after Franco's death.

 

[number11]

Imagine living your entire life expecting to be King. It would be kinda sad if Charles passed it down.

 

[killer rin]

You're right, it should go to a referendum, but our system doesn't have to change by doing so. Just officially move the role of ceremonial head of state to the Governor General. Then decide whether the GG is appointed by parliament or elected. All we'd be doing is unplugging the monarchy. You can even keep the term "the crown" in a figurative, Canadian way.

That would be the easiest way to deal with it. And if people have a problem with there being no "King/Queen" we could just rename the role of Governor General to "King/Queen" and continue to have them be appointed/elected every x years

It must be super weird for the Queen to read about a country planning for her death

I would imagine that she would be at the head of these discussions. I mean if you had unlimited money and global acclaim why wouldn't you help plan out the aftermath of your death.

 

[TCRS]

cheers, will read this tomrrow

 

[Sanojio]

I would be ok with monarchy, if it meant every citizen had a chance to be king or queen.

But being given a kingdom based on bloodline is pure bullshit. Either pay for that stuff yourself or turn it over to the public.

And republics, every single person has the chance to be President? lol

half of the republics in the world are hereditary. Crowned Republics. Republics are more palatable than monarchies to the layman. Far easier to become dictatorships. Far less accountability. That is all.

 

[akira28]

not what I was expecting from the thread title.

was thinking something a bit more proactive and surprise attacky.

but this was a relief.

It must be super weird for the Queen to read about a country planning for her death

I just assume the entire country is hiding today's newspapers from her.

 

[kmag]

No real plan for leaving the biggest economic market on earth

A fully detailed plan for a 91 year old womans death. Down to the where the black armbands are in the consulate in dontgiveafuckastan.

Priorities people.

 

[Stallion Dan]

How is the Queen seen in Commonwealth states anyway? Still liked? Ever liked?

 

[Captain Chaos]

She is 90 and looks like she is in great shape. She could easily make it to 110.

 

[kmag]

How is the Queen seen in Commonwealth states anyway? Still liked? Ever liked?

Aren't most of the rest of them just waiting for her to pop the clogs to wipe their hands of the whole royal shebang? (excluding of course the 2/3rd of them who've already done so)

Once she dies there is no automatic next head of the Commonwealth.

 

[CyclopsRock]

No real plan for leaving the biggest economic market on earth

A fully detailed plan for a 91 year old womans death. Down to the where the black armbands are in the consulate in dontgiveafuckastan.

Priorities people.

You could argue that there's something more predictable about an old woman dying than the UK leaving a political union.

 

[Tal Shiar Agent]

Have the monarchy end with her and the UK become a Republic.

 

[MattKeil]

Irrelevant anachronism.

Liz popping her clogs is a good opportunity to wind the whole nonsense up. It's been going on far too long.

I don't think you understand how much income the monarchy provides for the UK. Tourism due to the royal family is massive, and eliminating the royals would be a major financial error for the country. They bring in vastly more than they cost, and have no influence over government or policy to speak of. There's really no downside to them.

 

[jakonovski]

At least they're not gonna hold a referendum over it.

 

[Orbis]

The principal of a monarchy seems pretty silly and irrelevant in modern society but in terms of actually doing something about it and becoming a republic? I honestly don't see the point right now.

It's super low priority, behind such things as electoral reform and reforming the House of Lords. And there is basically no real demand for it.

If there was a demand for it I could probably get behind such a movement but like the majority of Brits (70%+ I think), currently I'm fine with the status quo.

 

[QuicheFontaine]

Yeah but what do you say if London Bridge is really down

Holy shit :-O

 

[Morat]

I don't think you understand how much income the monarchy provides for the UK. Tourism due to the royal family is massive, and eliminating the royals would be a major financial error for the country. They bring in vastly more than they cost, and have no influence over government or policy to speak of. There's really no downside to them.

The amount of tourism due to them is vastly overstated. Furthermore, they do have influence over policy as has been demonstrated by Charles's leaked letters to ministers, although those were admittedly largely over minor issues. They also own a fantastic amount of these islands,both in land and property quite apart from what they get on the civil list.