Future of the Monarchy

I think higher education is wonderful, but don't believe it is necessary or even suitable for everyone.
And, wasn't Johnson very highly educated?

The king doesn’t pay inheritance tax, rest of the family do

Caleo

Galaxy

Yes no nonsense has been coming out of the university educated at all

I don't claim that higher education in social sciences and arts is fail safe. I do claim that such education makes it more probable that members of the electorate will be better at critical thinking and empathy. And yes: empathy can be learned from the arts-- empathy is part of what arts are for.

A surprising number of British prime ministers had degrees from Oxford (including all three women) and a smaller number from Cambridge, mainly in arts subjects. Even Sir Keir Starmer has a post grad qualification from Oxford.

I am not sure how relevant this is - just saying.

Indigo8

Caleo

Galaxy

Yes no nonsense has been coming out of the university educated at all

I don't claim that higher education in social sciences and arts is fail safe. I do claim that such education makes it more probable that members of the electorate will be better at critical thinking and empathy. And yes: empathy can be learned from the arts-- empathy is part of what arts are for.

A surprising number of British prime ministers had degrees from Oxford (including all three women) and a smaller number from Cambridge, mainly in arts subjects. Even Sir Keir Starmer has a post grad qualification from Oxford.

I am not sure how relevant this is - just saying.

I'd not vote for an MP who could not think critically, the better their judgement the better the MP. A higher education in the arts and social sciences teaches critical thinking.

I don't see precisely what you are objecting to, Galaxy.

I am sorry--- my response should have been addressed to Indigo, not Galaxy.

Maremia

I think higher education is wonderful, but don't believe it is necessary or even suitable for everyone.
And, wasn't Johnson very highly educated?

Original IQ can be augmented by good teaching. However it is true that some individuals are uneducable.

lemsip

why has what you earn come into a conversation about the monarchy may I ask?

such smugness from some also!

Because apparently nurses and teachers are being fed by food banks.

There would be nothing to stop Charles or William standing in an election for head of state should they wish to, at least we’d know then if they really wanted the job. Not sure why everyone imagines we’d get a President Trump- our system is nothing like that of the US.

vegansrock

There would be nothing to stop Charles or William standing in an election for head of state should they wish to, at least we’d know then if they really wanted the job. Not sure why everyone imagines we’d get a President Trump- our system is nothing like that of the US.

Farageland will resemble Trumpland

Which they are entitled to do, if they can prove the need.
But yes, also not sure how this 'deviation' evolved.

vegansrock

There would be nothing to stop Charles or William standing in an election for head of state should they wish to, at least we’d know then if they really wanted the job. Not sure why everyone imagines we’d get a President Trump- our system is nothing like that of the US.

Our system would change if we got rid of the monarchy and had an elected head of state. Maybe we wouldn't get a Trump but maybe we would. No way to predict.

Caleo

I am sorry--- my response should have been addressed to Indigo, not Galaxy.

Having re-read my comment, I am not aware that I am objecting to anything Caleo:. Please explain what you mean.

But if we did have a president as a figurehead to wave and host banquets they wouldn’t have any political power as we have a parliamentary system , where parliament is actually sovereign. We could have David Attenborough, Olivia Coleman or Ant and Dec as president for a 4 year term.

Or as I said before, nothing to stop PWilliam standing for election and he’d probably have a good chance of getting in.

StonesofDestiny, interesting post on the monarchy which reflects much of my own thinking. I have become increasingly anti-monarchy as it currently exists. If, as a nation, we decide to keep it then it should be massively scaled down. I am of the opinion, as stated previously, that there is no perfect system and, power and influence of a small group of individuals ,will always find a way to 'control', be it by birth, politics economic, military, religious or any other reason one can invent.
As for Buck House, not a gay pub, but a massive Museum/Art Gallery to house the gifts and treasures accumulated over the centuries so that, we, the people, get to enjoy them.
Along with the slimming down, let's have an elected Upper Chamber, represented by worthyCitizens of the Realm, rather than Lords, Ladies, Dames, Sirs etc.

vegansrock

But if we did have a president as a figurehead to wave and host banquets they wouldn’t have any political power as we have a parliamentary system , where parliament is actually sovereign. We could have David Attenborough, Olivia Coleman or Ant and Dec as president for a 4 year term.

or Ant and Dec as president for a 4 year term

Would they share the salary?

If, as a nation, we decide to keep it then it should be massively scaled down.

But that is in our power, as the people, now.

Perhaps we should not be expecting so much from our Monarch and his/her extended family. It is the fault of the population of the UK and in fact the Commonwealth that we expect them to become Presidents and Patrons of thousands of charitable organisations, other bodies etc., not just as a notional head but to be actively seen supporting these organisations.

Whether that would prove to be disastrous, especially for those charities they currently support, would remain to be seen.

Caleo

Maremia

I think higher education is wonderful, but don't believe it is necessary or even suitable for everyone.
And, wasn't Johnson very highly educated?

Original IQ can be augmented by good teaching. However it is true that some individuals are uneducable.

When everyone is educated to this degree standard do you honestly think anyone is going to want to do rubbish collecting, shop work, hard physical labour, especially given the debt they will be carrying? I think it's very arrogant to condemn people of lower education levels as unintelligent. Intelligence is not the same as formal education. I'm quite sure some other GN posters, like me, don't have this degree of education in those subjects you require. Should I not vote, or am I excused because I voted remain?

Rosie51

Caleo

Maremia

I think higher education is wonderful, but don't believe it is necessary or even suitable for everyone.
And, wasn't Johnson very highly educated?

Original IQ can be augmented by good teaching. However it is true that some individuals are uneducable.

When everyone is educated to this degree standard do you honestly think anyone is going to want to do rubbish collecting, shop work, hard physical labour, especially given the debt they will be carrying? I think it's very arrogant to condemn people of lower education levels as unintelligent. Intelligence is not the same as formal education. I'm quite sure some other GN posters, like me, don't have this degree of education in those subjects you require. Should I not vote, or am I excused because I voted remain?

I was shocked to read Caleo's post, Rosie51

If I said what I thought it reminded me of, my post would probably be deleted.

I couldn't disagree more about university education, there has been over the last few years a growing contempt towards the working class.
Certainly in the last decade there appears to be not a great deal of evidence of critical thinking coming from universities, rather a tendency to follow the latest mantras or trends.

And yes I know the working class go to university before anyone starts.

However it is true that some individuals are uneducable.
That sound like something from 1930s Germany.

So what do you suggest Caleo

King Charles has already begun the 'pruning' task. Harry has taken himself off.
Andrew, and maybe his Princess too, will be 'culled'.
Anne's own children do not have Royal titles.
The process has begun.

Why do people think that because a republic didn,t work several hundreds of years ago it won’t work now?
Surely the population is better informed nowadays and an lot of us think monarchs and princes and knights and lords should all have been left in the Middle Ages where the peasants believed they were superior people and had to be put on pedestals.
Now I,m sure a majority know them for the corrupt ,money grabbing ,sex abusers they have been through the ages.
And yes I do know my history and this latest bunch of degenerates is just the newest in a very long line .
There must be a better system ,this one only works for cap tipping knee bending syncophants

Look, paddyann, I know you keep referring to us as peasants and you may refer to yourself as that if you wish, but the rest of us do not.

No, those who have observed and thought through various systems of Government and concluded that a Constitutional Monarchy is better than most alternatives are not syncophants - or rather sycophants.