This post of yours is a rarity as you put some thought into it. Well, the small amount you were able to muster.Originally Posted by lardy
You know there is a difference between people choosing to spend their own money watching football, and taxpayers paying tens of millions for the coronation. That money could help the real issues that you refer to.
I'm not as much of an anti-monarchist as some on here, but it's hard not to be swayed by things like this, and, for example, how much land the royals own (when in the last 7 years we've heard a lot about how the UK is a small island with not much space for its increasing population).
When the other side of the argument is "yeah but we like football and they're rich so what you gonna do", it's pretty weak.
Joking aside, my biggest gripes about the monarchy is Charlie, nor any of his predecessors dating back almost 1,100 years, received a single vote to become head of state because no-one has ever had an opportunity to cast one.
Despite being entirely undemocratic, there's never a shortage of those who claim Britain is a democracy, and the most deluded claim it's a beacon of democracy.
Another false claim is "we're all equal under the law." The Sovereign cannot be arrested for anything as s/he cannot commit a legal wrong. Additionally, when in the Sovereign's presence no family member can have their collar felt. Of course, that cosy arrangement doesn't extend to any of the other 67 million Britons.
Our Somerset yokel has already touched on what a fantastic wealth preserver the role provides.
Perhaps the greatest myth of all is the Soveriegn has no real power... theirs is ceremonial or titular. The direct opposite is true. No Act becomes law in the UK until it gains Royal Assent.
And thanks to the Royal Prerogative powers, the Sovereign can dismiss a government or any minister, including a Prime Minister. That last happened circa 200 years ago when PM Lamb was booted into the long grass.
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