Royal family or a president?

I'm still seething at your attitude maryeliza, what on earth makes you think you know more than any other poster?

Yes Annibach, I was thinking if Queenie goes on another 10yrs Charles will be knocking on 80 which is fine if in good health etc .

Charles would have to be dead for it to pass him

Monarchy for me every time.

I’m orf to do some Queenly duties in my little palatial domain now ?

I wonder if Charlie will be relieved or dissapointed if it passes him by ?

Why not? Have the media as hyped up as at a general election, we had days of a referendum on abortion in another country and when America votes for their president , no thanks

The hereditary principle can't be argued for logically. Some monarchs in the past have been dreadful- mad, bloodthirsty, selfish etc. Just because the one we've got at the moment is Ok doesn't mean its an excellent system for all time. There's no guarantee that the eldest child of a monarch will be any good. I expect if there was voting for a head of the state and the queen stood for election she would win - most people think she is doing a good job for the country. So that would be fine, so if Charles then wanted to stand for election against William or someone else who does a good job for public service why not.

No, you shouldn't be blamed for terrible deeds done by your predecessors but, in my view, neither should you be lauded and held in higher esteem for being born into a particular family which obtained its position through tyranny.

People do that for actors, pop stars etc etc, it’s not for me & I don’t understand it but I do accept that it is what people wish to do & is not the fault of those they are worshipping

Should you be blamed for a terrible deed your family committed several centuries ago, even though you yourself have tried to live a good & useful life ?

Obviously, that's the extreme Bridgeit but I'm surprised that anyone feels inclined to put themselves to such discomfort and inconvenience for a person or persons they don't know.

As would every country in the world!

And some of us know that much of our ‘national history and heritage’ has much in it that we should be thoroughly ashamed of

Much of what you say is acceptable Elothan, But there are many people who don’t object to our national history & heritage,and quite like the fact that we have a monarchy without feeling the need to camp out & follow their every move.

Republic.

There is nothing special about the royal family in this country or any other country. They do not have "blue blood" or any other outstanding qualities, such as intellect or a higher degree of morality. It is commonly accepted that royal families originated from the most powerful warlords who ruled by fear.

In my view, the existence of a royal family entrenches the notion of entitlement and privilege. It is maintained by way of constant propaganda and stage-management of various events. We laugh at North Korean or Thai people for their fawning adulation of their rulers. (Admittedly, should they indicate any sort of opposition there would be a price to pay. Fortunately, our royal family does not command that sort of power any more - but it did, and it used it.)

I find it amazing and depressing that some people are willing to camp out all night in all weathers just to catch a fleeting glimpse of someone they don't know and who has shown no inclination to want to know them.

I don’t live my life vicariously

It’s precisely because it’s inherited that it’s wrong - there’s no defence against idiocy is there? After all Charles is next in line. And Edward 8th - you do know he was a Nazi sympathiser and Edward 7th etc etc - - you can’t defend a system just using the Queen as a raison d’être

Then we would miss out on what was a lovely and happy occasion for everyone.

It was the references to well known politicians that confused me. A president in a parliamentary system of Government eg Ireland is a Head of State - it’s not heading the government but representing the state. In Ireland the President is elected for 7 years and can serve two terms. Why could that not work here? At least we wouldn’t have the sycophantic collective show of incontinence when a presidents grandchild got married would we?

Paddyann, was there any need to say Baldie Willie
So a President would be voted for but what ? would cost nothing ? Really? The Queen didn’t take the job , she inherited it as you have inherited your background .
It’s seems a very narrow view to base your opinion on.

P.S. I'm a monarchist.

I completely understand the difference betweeen the head of government and the head of state maryeliza54. As do the rest of us, I'm sure. What a strange thing to say!

Here’s a clue - there is a huge difference between a parliamentary system of government ( eg UK) and a presidential system of givernment ( eg USA). But apart from most people not even understanding that basic principle we’ll never grow up enough as a country to get ready of the monarchy

What a very judgmental post maryeliza54.