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Are there any other countries in the world that have ever experimented at being a republic?
I saw a documentary where a bunch of people in space tried to form a galactic republic. It went to shit quite quickly. A band of space wizards got killed and a mean old man with lightening hands and a skin condition took charge.
If people who live in space can’t do it we’ve got no chance.
They’ve now changed their statement:
Hope they have had a massive backlash.
I can't believe that someone thought that was suitable. "Yes, we need to keep the plebs in front of a TV in darkened room."
That is absolutely mental. I mean WTAF.
It's what Her Majesty would have wanted.
I will use the day as an opportunity for solemn reflection.
It’s what Her Majesty would have wanted.
I will use the day as an opportunity for solemn reflection.
Whilst riding your bike in the woods?
I saw a documentary where a bunch of people in space tried to form a galactic republic. It went to shit quite quickly. A band of space wizards got killed and a mean old man with lightening hands and a skin condition took charge.
If people who live in space can’t do it we’ve got no chance.
They got leathered by little bears didn't they?
Now it makes sense why the Late QE2 was hanging out with Paddington; planning the insurgency. I knew that furry little hat & duffle coat wearing bastard was dodgy.
This seems to be getting reported a lot, can anyone confirm it?
They got leathered by little bears didn’t they?
Now it makes sense why the Late QE2 was hanging out with Paddington
No it isn’t.
Yes it is. 😄
Seriously though, despite what may have happened in the past, and I'd argue you're only partly right because we've never had properly modern infrastructure (we can't even put coach stations next to train stations!) in this country, currently we have a major problem in the UK in that working people completely fail to see what is in their own interests, let alone vote for them, and a major part of that is the deference and myth making generated by the monarchy and the wider class system it supports.
we have a major problem in the UK in that working people completely fail to see what is in their own interests, let alone vote for them, and a major part of that is the deference and myth making generated by the monarchy and the wider class system it supports
That. A low level background harm of lost opportunity and resistance to improvement. Pervasive and poisonous. The Firm in its current form is not part of the solution. It could be. But isn't.
However you feel about proceedings, at least we call all rejoice that in these times of economic hardship, the treasury will be receiving a tidy windfall in the shape of some hefty inheritance tax.
Oh, hang on......
Madness 😠
I'll be riding my bike in another country, thank ****.
"The Firm in its current form is not part of the solution. It could be. But isn’t."
The monarchy have survived this long owing to their ability to shape shift, even if it appears that they are doing so a generation or so later than the country at large. In a sense they are constantly playing catch-up.
Though I'd be interested to hear in what way you think the monarchy 'could be' part of the solution, what kind of reform do you have in mind?
Personally I think it'd be better to make changes to the House of Lords first, a place where hereditary privilege has perhaps a more pervasive effect on our democracy than the actual monarchy.
Really, do people actually give a ****? I can't get my head around watching grown men cry about it. So glad to be going back to Spain on Sunday - this island has totally lost its mind.
how's it go again ? oh yeah it's only one day... ****ing cretins
Modern infrastructure 30 years behind the rest of Europe ime
what kind of reform do you have in mind?
Less of them. Less money. Less hangers on.
An actual job promoting things that help society. I'm actually somewhat hopeful Charles will continue to promote fighting climate change as an agenda. A bit nebulous but you get the idea.
House of Lords. Hmm. Different topic. But yes they have a whole lot of privilege and a fair dose of influence. A defined period of serving in the lords perhaps might be a good start. Voting for them? Who knows.
How long until Royal Doulton launch the commemorative Lizzie plates?
Is it protocol to wait until Tuesday?
It’s this sort of shit that holds this country back from being a modern state where the govt actually has to do something more than keep the rich and powerful in their positions.
I think it would take more than removing the monarchy to alter the trajectory of the Tory party.
The might of the British state..
https://twitter.com/ofalafel/status/1569406997493125122?s=46&t=hZYZyHFCqQAwkkRE6I206g
Centre parks have said they are closing for the funeral - not just for a few hours but apparently for 24hours. People are being booted out of their accommodation as a mark of respect for the Queen.
They clearly have no respect for their customers... madness.
Seriously though........
we can’t even put coach stations next to train stations!
I hadn't thought of that!
Jeezus that Mrs Windsor really did have a lot to answer for. I might well tear up my Cycling UK membership card and cycle into London on Monday just to boo. Whilst possibly holding a placard extolling the virtues of coach stations next to train stations.
Although awkwardly in London Victoria coach station is cheek by jowl with Victoria train station.
Are there any other countries in the world that have ever experimented at being a republic? I expect they must all have come crumbling down to shadows of their former selves and begged their rightful leaders to come back and put the proles in their places.
England, the Netherlands.. any more?
Although awkwardly in London Victoria coach station is cheek by jowl with Victoria train station.
Of course it is. London is the only city in the UK with an integrated public transport system. Wonder why that is?
Now now ernie. You wouldn't want to be labelled as an enemy of the state would you? I bet you dont even have a hat to doff
So glad to be going back to Spain on Sunday – this island has totally lost its mind.
Back to a country with a corrupt royal family?
Although to be fair Carlos did almost justify the monarchy when he stood firm against an attempted fascist coup.
So glad to be going back to Spain on Sunday – this island has totally lost its mind.
Careful you don't bump into the king, & if you do, don't mention royalty.
This thread's getting boring now, it's turned into another 'lets agree with each other & point stuff out' thread.
Didn't Carlos run away and hide ?
I bet you dont even have a hat to doff
I'm actually wearing one as we speak, due to the wet weather conditions. Although I'm sitting in the Italian deli. It's one of those waxed cotton ones. I feel like Giuseppe who sang shaddup your face. There's no one to doff it to though.
The katsu chicken was maybe the better for it as I wasn’t distracted by the TV asking me to name US capital states with no vowels in.. 😀
The more interesting revelation is that you're vulgar enough to have a TV in the kitchen and poor enough for it to not have iplayer built in.
I'm surprised you're allowed to log in here.
Didn’t Carlos run away and hide ?
Yeah but he's back now. And he remains a member of the royal family.
Spain has its fair share of problems but no ones getting threatened with arrest for holding up a blank piece of paper.
I’m still trying to think of US states with no vowels in them.
London is the only city in the UK with an integrated public transport system. Wonder why that is?
I assume because of Queen Victoria, since both the train station and the coach station are named after her.
Are there any other countries in the world that have ever experimented at being a republic?
There is the obvious one. Its head of state died recently. Oliver is still a popular name, but Charles has failed to keep pace.
I was watching the BBC news and apparently unionists don’t recognise King Charles 3rd, how is that possible? - he’s been all over the telly since Thursday!
Oliver is still a popular name, but Charles has failed to keep pace.
Good point, but the Commonwealth of England sounds like it was proper crap and the miserable gits wouldn't even allowed people to celebrate Christmas.
This thread’s getting boring now, it’s turned into another ‘lets agree with each other & point stuff out’ thread.
usual suspects Jimbo innit.
suck the living daylights out of anything they comment on i'm afraid.
BREAKING: You will be pleased to know hospitals are cancelling appointments for cancer patients on the day of the Queen's funeral as a "mark of respect" and no, this one is not satire either. This island is getting a little too sinister for my liking.
Not my local cancer hospital. Interested to see an actually list of those that are ?
A note to patients: All scheduled appointments at Velindre Cancer Centre will go ahead as planned on Monday 19 September.
More information here: https://velindre.nhs.wales/news/latest-news/monday-19-september-cancer-service-remains-unchanged/
While some of the cancelling is a bit OTT for me, a few would do well to check facts before getting their pants in a knot. Simply jumping all over every opportunity actually dilutes from a reasonable discussion about what is and isn't appropriate and proportionate.
Not my local cancer hospital. Interested to see an actually list of those that are ?
HSC in Northern Ireland is not cancelling oncology appointments including chaemo sessions.
GPs are closing, but considering you can never can an appointment anyway it’s not much of a hardship
Something I've been pondering.
Do many people who generally support having a monarchy feel uncomfortable about the way it's presented in the media? And that it could be counter-productive to limit discussion and to filter out dissent.
When I mentioned BBC I was thinking more of the TV channels.
Today on BBC1 :
11.15 – 16.00 The King in NI
16.00 – 16.30 The 1 o’clock news(!)
16.30 – 18.05 The Queen’s journey to London
18.05 – 18.45 The news
18.45 – 20.00 The eve of the procession to lying in state
20.00….normal programming, with The One Show, Eastenders, etc.
Excellent, can’t beat a nice Yul Brynner musical to break up the monotony 😉
😂
That twitter link?
Yes, there are appointments being cancelled. From the top down as I read it.
Cardiology consultant. Heart investigation. GP appointment. Covid booster for a chemo patient (is that a 'cancer treatment'?). GP appointment. Maternity appointment. Two year wait for therapy now cancelled. Then finally someone actually being treated with chemo will be told friday whether monday's appt will happen (I suspect it will). Then a link to the website that 'broke' the story 'opendemocracy.net' which on cursory read looks like a mild conspiracy theory site.......
Norwich bike racks being shut in tribute to Queen? The real story? It's where people are leaving the floral tributes outside City Hall.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-62881069
4F's.
Covid booster for a chemo patient (is that a ‘cancer treatment’?)
Chemo supresses your immune system so it's ultra-important that you get boosted, regularly.
Chemo supresses your immune system so it’s ultra-important that you get boosted, regularly.
Im NOT suggesting its a good thing if covid boosters have been cancelled. But, for a bit of perspective, our vaccination centres are usually closed on any bank holidays, and demand is currently very low, so people can basically walk in and get their appointment on the day before or after, at a time of their choosing.
Not in dispute.
It's not a cancelled cancer treatment though.
people can basically walk in and get their appointment on the day before or after, at a time of their choosing.
That's lovely. Not everywhere has that sort of availability. It can easily be a week and more between booster clinics and some folk are already falling behind.
Even B&Q is to close on Monday as are all National Trust and English Heritage properties. All traditional bank holiday pastimes are therefore banned!!
Fortunately the countryside will remain open.
All traditional bank holiday pastimes are therefore banned!
If the pubs are still open then the UK’s number one bank holiday activity is still very much on
Cheers! 😃
Prince Philip didn't get much of a send off. It was business as usual 12 hours later.
Fortunately the countryside will remain open.
For now! There’ll be a decree shortly stating that landed gentry can shoot cyclists who choose exercise and fresh air over mourning in front of the tele.
Mum made a passing comment tnight as we sat eating our tea whilst watching the news of the coffin being driven through London,
“There should be one of those stuck on waving hands in the back of the hearse like you had in our old blue Granada.”
Or those "help I'm trapped inside" fingers on the coffin.
Think I'll do that when I snuff it, maybe get the undertaker to pop an irate badger in there to cause a kerfuffle
Watched itv program on people who’d met the queen last night (don’t judge, channel hopped after Gorbachev). Paul O’Grady made what I think was the single most profound summary of the Queen;
“She was good for morale”
I think it’s hard to argue with that.
“She was good for morale”
I think it’s hard to argue with that.
Not for seven year old Charlies morale, or Camilla's, or Diana. Meghan too probly. But apart frrom that, yeah she really kept everyone going.
Just seen on the news they are planning for a queue of up to 4 miles to see the coffin. Estimated wait of 30 hours if it gets that long!
“She was good for morale”
I think it’s hard to argue with that.
Not good for my morale.
I doubt the people who have to cancel their loved ones funerals on Monday are getting that vibe.
Not sure how the London homeless who are getting rounded up at the moment feel about her either.
I can't think of a more English way of doing things than a 4 mile long queue of middle class people, tutting.
I'm sure there will be plentiful supplies of cups of tea just to complete the stereotype
I'm not sure what shuffling along a pavement for 30 hours to take a peak at a dead body says about your mental health
She was good for morale”
I think it’s hard to argue with that.
Hard to argue for that! Not good for my moral. The Royal Family are a drain on my moral without a doubt. I try not to think about them (mostly successfully but difficult at the mo) but when I do it's all negative. Come on! They are all self serving, over privileged ****s. Get rid!
And as for people who say "not the time or place"- get ****ed! 🤣
Was the queen a successful monarch? Are there homeless people on the streets? I can't see how the answer to both can be yes. Seriously would you accept homelessness in your country if you were that powerful and rich?
Her job is to stop the kind of society I want to see, she is a figure head of inequality, division and racism.
Not my queen, not my king etc. I will say again, anyone offended by this - grow up!
I’m not sure what shuffling along a pavement for 30 hours to take a peak at a dead body says about your mental health
Same could be said about the inordinate amount if time some spend posting in here sucking the life out of every thread like it's a rejuvenating life-force they can harvest.
Her job was to protect and continue the monarchy - nothing more nothing less. If that goal occasionally alligned with something that was good for the population of the UK then great. We were always subjects to her.
Edit: Took out a line about how she felt - I couldn't possibly know that.
BTW am I the only one assuming she is not actually in that coffin?
BTW am I the only one assuming she is not actually in that coffin?
Why would you think that?
Despite what I think of the lot of them, why would her family play act around an empty coffin?
I know when my family buried my mother, being a pallbearer was very important to me.
Same could be said about the inordinate amount if time some spend posting in here sucking the life out of every thread like it’s a rejuvenating life-force they can harvest.
We mostly do it because we are stuck at work which is even more boring and life-sucking 😉
The katsu chicken was maybe the better for it as I wasn’t distracted by the TV asking me to name US capital states with no vowels in.. 😀
The more interesting revelation is that you’re vulgar enough to have a TV in the kitchen and poor enough for it to not have iplayer built in.
Vulgar? I could barely hear the TV in the other part of our 21st Century open plan living space... 😀
Are there any other countries in the world that have ever experimented at being a republic?
There is the obvious one. Its head of state died recently. Oliver is still a popular name, but Charles has failed to keep pace.
I'm glad that the first reply to my comment was about a space republic overthrown by teddy bears, so it seems that someone saw that I wasn't being serious. Maybe I should have loaded that post with emojis? 😀
Why would you think that?
dunno, perhaps her much vaunted sense of humour and the thought of thousands of subjects paying respect to a coffin filled with spuds ?
Looking forward to Private Eye today.
After the savage job they did on the two-faced mainstream media in the Diana issue, I'm sure they'll pull something quite interesting out of the hat.
I can't believe that this thread was only started 5 days ago.
It feels like weeks since Mrs Windsor died 😕
Her job is to stop the kind of society I want to see
I thought that was the government's job - and we can get rid of that if we want to.
dunno, perhaps her much vaunted sense of humour and the thought of thousands of subjects paying respect to a coffin filled with spuds ?
You think she's watching it all on the telly somewhere having a laugh whilst smoking a cigar and her feet up?
yeah hanging out with Elvis and Co
Looking forward to Private Eye today.
Another week I think.
You think she’s watching it all on the telly somewhere having a laugh whilst smoking a cigar and her feet up?
Oddly enough reading the perfect king by Ian Mortimer about Edward III. He really, really buys into the claim that Edward II wasnt actually bumped off but instead sent into quiet exile instead with some servants corpse getting the state funeral instead.
Another week I think.
Bugger! Just realised I didn't get my copy delivered last week when I was away.
It feels like weeks since Mrs Windsor died 😕
Perhaps now would be a good time for Charles to reinstate the Saxe Coburg Gotha moniker?
Oops, perhaps he has more pressing issues...
https://twitter.com/Gabriel_Pogrund/status/1570029555506909184
I think its fair to say that investigation will find itself on the furthest back of the back burners.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62897488
Charley is letting a lot of his staff go .... It's in their best interests