The King's Speech

I had a perfectly enjoyable Xmas, volver, and I'm still enjoying it. Hope you are too! The key point about presidents is to establish their terms of reference by law, what they can and can't do, what their role is, how long they are in office for and can they re-stand, how they can be removed and who elects them (universal franchise, the Lords, the Commons?), etc. The monarch's role has been worked out as essentially apolitical and Charles and his recent predecessors understood that but I do question whether a president with a political background could be self-restrained and whether, if they were given powers as in France, the US and elsewhere to make decrees, that would be acceptable. What would their role be in relation to the military and would that create any risks? It may be wearing to think about these matters in relation to Thatcher or Farage or Brown or anyone else but it is important.

Good post Grantanow 👏🏻👏🏻

Parsley3

I was disappointed to see Catherine bobbing a curtsey to her inlaws at the Carol service. I was hoping that Charles would dispense with that nonsense.

Meghan obviously thought it was nonsense as well.

Maybe it is, but it is what they do.

Catherine realised that curtseying is something that is done in the family she married into, which is one reason why things have gone better for her than her sister in law.

I've come to this thread rather late, but I must comment that I found Charles' speech very uplifting, and hit just the right spot for me. I'm going through a difficult time with family breakup (not me personally) and returned to listen to it again later. I found it comforting. I've rarely bothered to watch the Queen's Christmas speech. I believe Charles is managing his new role very well.

DaisyAnne

volver

I just don't understand how people can say that elections can go wrong, implying that we should avoid them and stick with feudalism, but think elections for Parliament are OK.

You either want democracy, or you don't.

I think you should have stopped after "I don't understand". Once that is admitted learning is possible.

You are so rude DaisyAnne.

Grantanow

I had a perfectly enjoyable Xmas, volver, and I'm still enjoying it. Hope you are too! The key point about presidents is to establish their terms of reference by law, what they can and can't do, what their role is, how long they are in office for and can they re-stand, how they can be removed and who elects them (universal franchise, the Lords, the Commons?), etc. The monarch's role has been worked out as essentially apolitical and Charles and his recent predecessors understood that but I do question whether a president with a political background could be self-restrained and whether, if they were given powers as in France, the US and elsewhere to make decrees, that would be acceptable. What would their role be in relation to the military and would that create any risks? It may be wearing to think about these matters in relation to Thatcher or Farage or Brown or anyone else but it is important.

I am also enjoying Christmas Grantanow, thank you for your comment.

The terms of reference of a president must indeed be worked out. But personally, I would find that an exciting thing to do. To decide for ourselves how we want our HoS to work.

We really, really have to understand that holding up the presidents of France or the US as examples of how things can go wrong in entirely invalid. Those Presidents are also Heads of Government. That is why they have the power they do. Those countries have an entirely different system to ours.

A constitutional system that has an elected Head of Government, and an Elected Head of State, is an entirely different matter. And we can have that, if only we stopped thinking it was important to have good manners, curtsey to people we think are above us in the hierarchy, and that being HoS needs a lifetime's training and a hat with jewels on.

That is why Eire, Germany, Finland... are such good examples. Their Presidents are not the same as the Presidents of France USA, Brazil... We can have what we want.

I'm worn out by people who can't see that.

^ We can have what we want.^
But then, we wanted Brexit.
Would the same people be voting or . . .

You are so rude DaisyAnne.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Mollygo

^ We can have what we want.^
But then, we wanted Brexit.
Would the same people be voting or . . .

Yes we did want that.

Its the worst thing that could have happened.

Are you suggesting that we shouldn't let people vote on the things they want to happen? Because maybe you wouldn't like the outcome?

V. . . Are you suggesting that we shouldn't let people vote on the things they want to happen?
Where did I suggest that?
It’s a fact that “we” as a country voted for Brexit and though I didn’t, I’m still having to live with the consequences.
If “we” voted for a president, I’d have to live with the consequences of that too. That’s what happens with a vote, don’t you know?

Yes, we would, wouldn't we Mollygo?

Same as I have to live with lots of things/people I haven't voted for. But I have the hope that one day, more people will think the way I do and we can get rid of the Tory Government, get back into Europe, have Scottish independence, whatever. But whatever, it will be the choice of the majority of the people who vote.

As it stands at the moment, I have no hope that we can have a HoS that represents me and acts for the good of the people of the UK. Because as it stands, the Windsor boys have the job sewn up, and that can never change. Unless we make it happen.

I didn't watch the King's Speech
Too busy with hoardes of tiny humans.

I've seen clips and it looks OK. But I'm no expert on the Christmas Day speeches as I've never watched one

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Zoejory

I didn't watch the King's Speech
Too busy with hoardes of tiny humans.

I've seen clips and it looks OK. But I'm no expert on the Christmas Day speeches as I've never watched one

We were too busy doing our own speeches at that time.
Raising a 🍷 to absent family and friends.

I don't mind not have an elected HoS.
I think the ones we have do a perfectly good job.
It would be difficult to find any candidates who are not politically motivated who could do as good a job here.

It may work elsewhere.

However, I would like to have an elected Upper House, we need more of balance.

Three times nadaturbe 😂 are you pressing too many buttons.

Calendargirl

Parsley3

I was disappointed to see Catherine bobbing a curtsey to her inlaws at the Carol service. I was hoping that Charles would dispense with that nonsense.

Meghan obviously thought it was nonsense as well.

Maybe it is, but it is what they do.

Catherine realised that curtseying is something that is done in the family she married into, which is one reason why things have gone better for her than her sister in law.

I think she was making a point.

That’s why they were all smiling when she did it😬

I thought it was a good first Christmas address. St George's Chapel made a magnificent backdrop, and the carol a good choice. I was afraid he would forget that he is now Defender of the Faith, but no, the Christian message was still strong. He seemed very genuine.
(However, did he go hunting on Boxing Day? I could warm to Camilla if she didn't enjoy hunting).

Callistemon
Just what I think.

volver

Yes, we would, wouldn't we Mollygo?

Same as I have to live with lots of things/people I haven't voted for. But I have the hope that one day, more people will think the way I do and we can get rid of the Tory Government, get back into Europe, have Scottish independence, whatever. But whatever, it will be the choice of the majority of the people who vote.

As it stands at the moment, I have no hope that we can have a HoS that represents me and acts for the good of the people of the UK. Because as it stands, the Windsor boys have the job sewn up, and that can never change. Unless we make it happen.

I SO agree with your second paragraph Volver...

Harry wasn't smiling when she re enacted her curtsy. He looked rather uncomfortable and I don't blame him.

Oreo

Three times nadaturbe 😂 are you pressing too many buttons.

M.E. bad today after Christmas. Struggling.
Thanks for your concern.

Smileless2012

Harry wasn't smiling when she re enacted her curtsy. He looked rather uncomfortable and I don't blame him.

Sorry, I wasnt at all clear.

I meant they were all smiling as Catherine gave her perfect, restrained curtesy, a symbol of respect showing just what was required on this formal occasion and making Meghans overblown gesture look as ridiculous as it was.

No wonder they were all having a quiet little smile to themselves. That’s the way to do it!