Inequality in UK

I would expatriate those who are not fans of the Monarchy.

Do away with the House of Lords and the ridiculous "honours" system. Abolish all peerages and other such outdated fripperies and establish a second elected chamber.

That would be a start...

steve

Wouldn't that mean just swapping one set of greedy, incompetent t**ts for another? Albeit possibly younger and with a little less ermine?

Personally I don't think the monarchy has anything to do with inequality in the UK. That is about more than inherited aristocracy or even social class. It is about race, age, sex, region and the traps of poverty, poor education/resource access and poor health that usually combine in multiples and interlink.

Have a debate about Republicanism by all means but that is not going to change much deprivation in the UK. FWIW I think the poorer sections of society are often the most 'royalist'.

Bruce

The role of the House of Lords or the Senate in Canada is to prevent yo-yo policies from upsetting the growth of a nation and its economy.

Imagine the Labour party and Conservatives reversing the previous government's policies and then setting their own every 5 to 10 years ?

By the time the disturbance has settled out a new government comes in and it'd be a permanent mess.

In an ideal world the House of Lords/Senate moderates the polices of the current government to stop them from being too radical that it might upset the stability of the nation.

Having an elected Senate or House of Lords is pointless. Firstly voter turnout is too low and shows disdain by the populace so the right people wouldn't be elected and secondly you may as well have a bigger house of commons.

I believe that the appointment of members of the House of Lords/Senate should be carefully monitored, i.e. if you do a favour for the Prime Minister, a seat in the Lord's cannot be used as a reward. Life peerages should be abolished ...

Valid points Bruce - especially race, region, poverty, education & a worrying link in the lower levels to poor health

But purely as an observation, it does not seem to apply to the most equalised rated countries in Europe, Denmark & Norway e.g.. Their monarchies are respected, but they don't do the HRH stuff, they frequently mingle, go on shopping trips, stop & talk to people, its all far more relaxed than the pomp and restrictions of UK.
I just feel the restrictions imposed by inherited aristocracy & to a degree all social classes are possibly a significant cause of class barriers remaining & hard to cross.

Looks like real the sins of your father stuff for not amassing a fortune they will will doom you to an ill educated, ugly, short and poverty stricken life. I was under the impression this was to be banished under the last government by the application of education, education & yet more education. To be honest I can't see any of the other parties solving this in the short term but it does not mean that they should not try harder.

PS Not the slightest thing to do with monarchy, more to do with those framing laws who have lost contact with those who reside outside of the Westminster village.

It is for the UK benefit to keep the system as it is now - the monarchy, the House of Lords, the class system, keeping down the working class, etc.. After all, this is what makes the UK unique in this world .

One of the reasons we have poverty in this country of ours is that the state makes it to easy for the lazy to stay on benefits. I am in favour of supporting those that need help but to many take the p**s. I came from a not well off working class family and have worked very hard to get where I am. I am also fed up of being excessively taxed and the money going to people that think the world owes them a living.

I would get rid of all the royals and have anyone who wants to be a politician vetted very carefully by the seriouse fraud office.

That feels better.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Lacey:
I would expatriate those who are not fans of the Monarchy.

I would expatriate those who are fans of the Monarchy.

I was deeply upset (well a bit) to learn recently of the death of the only monarch whose hand I have shaken.

Yes it's the late, great Prince Giorgio of Seborga, who styled himself 'His Tremendousness'. And why not?

Obit here.

His Tremendousness is dead. Long live, er, his elected successor of as-yet unknown tremendousness.

I would expatriate the monarch.

Not really, I wish the old woman no ill, but make her the last for God's sake. Hereditary public office is one of the most ridiculously outmoded notions I can think of.

I don't expect it to affect the gap between rich and poor though - look at America.

Paper Plane
"Do away with the House of Lords"

The house of Lords acts as a fail to safe system against the Government making hasty laws and benefiting themselves as they try to do on occasions and to get rid would be crass stupidity
As for the monarchy we are British and have had a monarch for hundreds of years, If you do not like it LEAVE

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Lacey:
I would expatriate those who are not fans of the Monarchy.

I would expatriate those who are fans of the Monarchy.

I would expatriate those who have disabled their sense of humour facility...

Bye! Don't slam the door on your way out.

Tony Blair was trying to be presidential and look how popular he was !

The Queen serves the role as head of state, the government run things day to day.

In Canada when the current government wanted to close parliament because the committees were embarrassing them the governor-general (the Queen's representative in Canada) had the final say. Unfortunately she just laid down and let the PM walk all over her. Somehow I don't think HM would allow that ...

Somehow I don't think you have any evidence for that whatsoever. And Deadlifter, I don't like it, I'm staying and the monarchy's days are numbered. It might outlast me but not by much.

At least this thread high lights one important issue. We have freedom of speach and you can't put a price on that.

Good point. One ill (no pun intended!) word against the King in Thailand, whether you be Thai or farang, you're in jail, end of.

Personally, I have no time nor respect for any form of monarchy, anywhere...but fortunately they are so far removed from the realities of my everyday life (and arguably anyone else's) that I don't have to think about them.......