Unfortunately, this deal has expired 4 February 2024.
*
42°
Posted 3 February 2024
Abolish the Monarchy: Why we should and how we will by Graham Smith (Kindle Edition)
Shared by
pieinthesky
Joined in 2014
20
218
About this deal
This deal is expired. Here are some options that might interest you:
'A crucial, riveting polemic in support of one of the most precious things humanity has built - democracy itself' OWEN JONES
'Graham Smith shows what fools our rotten constitution makes of us, with a monarch as emblem of a country beset by nepotism, backhanders, chumocracy and inherited privilege. Read and rebel!' POLLY TOYNBEE
We're constantly told the same things about the monarchy:
But the monarchy is good for tourism..
It isn't! Evidence points to some royal weddings actually having a negative impact on inbound tourism.
But the monarchy makes a big difference to charity..
Of the approx. 1,200 charities with a royal patron, 74% had no contact with their patron during the preceding year.
But everyone loves the monarchy..
A January 2023 poll showed support for the monarchy is down 55 percent.
It's wrong in principle and it doesn't work in practice. It doesn't have to be this way.
They say Britain should be proud to have the mother of parliaments, to be a shining beacon of democracy and an example to other nations. But there's an elephant in the room.
At the heart of power is a single family. They weren't elected but they live off the public purse. They aren't accountable to anyone, and yet between them they are privy to more government secrets than many cabinet ministers. Divinely appointed using a special hat, the head of the family is your superior, you his subject. Apparently he is guardian of our constitution - but we're also told he wouldn't dream of interfering in politics.
If you accept the monarchy, you must accept the moral compromise that comes with it, from its erosion of the principle of equality to the secret interference in our laws. But the good news is that we don't have to accept it. True democracy is within our reach.
'Graham Smith shows what fools our rotten constitution makes of us, with a monarch as emblem of a country beset by nepotism, backhanders, chumocracy and inherited privilege. Read and rebel!' POLLY TOYNBEE
We're constantly told the same things about the monarchy:
But the monarchy is good for tourism..
It isn't! Evidence points to some royal weddings actually having a negative impact on inbound tourism.
But the monarchy makes a big difference to charity..
Of the approx. 1,200 charities with a royal patron, 74% had no contact with their patron during the preceding year.
But everyone loves the monarchy..
A January 2023 poll showed support for the monarchy is down 55 percent.
It's wrong in principle and it doesn't work in practice. It doesn't have to be this way.
They say Britain should be proud to have the mother of parliaments, to be a shining beacon of democracy and an example to other nations. But there's an elephant in the room.
At the heart of power is a single family. They weren't elected but they live off the public purse. They aren't accountable to anyone, and yet between them they are privy to more government secrets than many cabinet ministers. Divinely appointed using a special hat, the head of the family is your superior, you his subject. Apparently he is guardian of our constitution - but we're also told he wouldn't dream of interfering in politics.
If you accept the monarchy, you must accept the moral compromise that comes with it, from its erosion of the principle of equality to the secret interference in our laws. But the good news is that we don't have to accept it. True democracy is within our reach.
More details at Community Updates
Edited by a community support team member, 3 February 2024
49 Comments
sorted bygov.uk/gov…ork
But I've never understood why the royals (and other families) are so obsessed with accumulating and protecting their wealth. They could spend it all on improving so many people's lives but still keep their titles and costumes etc...
It did make me laugh, though, when Charles took bags of cash from the Qataris and then donated it to a 'charity', which mostly looks after royal properties.
The only issue I have with the present arrangements is with our revising chamber, the House of Lords. That is something that needs reform. It should be populated with elected representatives, not stuffed with the politically rewarded or rejected (simultaneously in some cases).
Be careful what you wish for. Do you want a Macron, with power to overrule the Parliament? A Lord Protector perhaps? Once was a misfortune, twice becomes sheer carelessness.
Every other modern democratic country has moved past the idea that somebody should be handed riches and a position at the head of a society based on birthright instead of hardwork and ability.
Given the UK is presently slipping down every index that measures corruption as well, I'm surprised so many continue to defend this feudal nonsense.
Royal family who are where they are simply through accident of birth? Check
A bloated feudal system of Lords, Barons, Viscounts and all the rest? Check.
Welcome to modern medieval England. Keep doffing your caps to your superiors, peasants. Don’t you have important people’s shoes to shine? (edited)