Democracy

[Colr]

It's a pity that it takes a load of yak shaggers to show us the way!!

BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Nepal votes to abolish monarchy

[pq123]

I don't know the details of the deal but it would be nice to think that the royal family assets were given back to the people.

The formation of a secular state also seems very positive.

PQ123

[Colr]

Originally Posted by pq123

I don't know the details of the deal but it would be nice to think that the royal family assets were given back to the people.

The formation of a secular state also seems very positive.

PQ123

I think we own some of them already. Crown Estate is run by the government.

[egb_hibs]

Originally Posted by Colr

It's a pity that it takes a load of yak shaggers to show us the way!!

BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Nepal votes to abolish monarchy

sounds promising - but for the rather significant spectre of self declared maoists forming a large part of the govt!

[Bartok]

Originally Posted by egb_hibs

sounds promising - but for the rather significant spectre of self declared maoists forming a large part of the govt!

They are playing the game of working from within. As a strategy to seize power it has some successful precedents.

But yes, generally speaking the only good monarchs are ex-monarchs.

[egb_hibs]

Originally Posted by Dixie Chicken

They are playing the game of working from within. As a strategy to seize power it has some successful precedents.

But yes, generally speaking the only good monarchs are ex-monarchs.

i dunno. i grew up on a diet of FTQ, and it's not something i ever thought i'd reconsider. but - while not fully persuaded - i can see the argument that some put forward, that the old kraut trout is perhaps not as bad as what we might put her place; a president blair as it wear, or even a president beckham.

of course, it should be the jacobite heir that should be instated as a biscuit tin monarch, once we are independent.

[Bartok]

Originally Posted by egb_hibs

i dunno. i grew up on a diet of FTQ, and it's not something i ever thought i'd reconsider. but - while not fully persuaded - i can see the argument that some put forward, that the old kraut trout is perhaps not as bad as what we might put her place; a president blair as it wear, or even a president beckham.

of course, it should be the jacobite heir that should be instated as a biscuit tin monarch, once we are independent.

TBH it is only in principle that I oppose monarchy. In realpolitik terms it usually works fine. Except that a whole family of the c*nts gets to be expensive, and sometimes the head of state (as in Lizzie's case) is a rather unsympathetic, frosty character.

[egb_hibs]

Originally Posted by Dixie Chicken

TBH it is only in principle that I oppose monarchy. In realpolitik terms it usually works fine. Except that a whole family of the c*nts gets to be expensive, and sometimes the head of state (as in Lizzie's case) is a rather unsympathetic, frosty character.

well that's sort of where i started. but upon reflection, i expect that - when tourist revenues are taken into account - the queen is probably no more expensive than a president would be.

and frosty as she may be, queen liz at least has a form of decorum that prez tony would conspicously lack (and i think of far worse scenarios than that).

king chaz, may prove to be another kettle of fish entirely.

[Bartok]

Originally Posted by egb_hibs

well that's sort of where i started. but upon reflection, i expect that - when tourist revenues are taken into account - the queen is probably no more expensive than a president would be.

and frosty as she may be, queen liz at least has a form of decorum that prez tony would conspicously lack (and i think of far worse scenarios than that).

king chaz, may prove to be another kettle of fish entirely.

If the USA is an example of the sort of head of state you'd get in a republic then Liz would do me. But is it always necessary to have rich ambitious powermongers or egomaniacal actors as your only candidates? Taking party politics out of the equation would seem a sensible move to me, as would limiting the budgets the candidates can spend campaigning.

The whole election could be done as a TV show, perhaps with Simon Cowal and Paxman co-presenting.