Operation London Bridge - When the Queen dies

[Nearly Sane]

Long but fascinating article about the plans for the death of Liz.



https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/16/what-happens-when-queen-elizabeth-dies-london-bridge?CMP=share_btn_tw

[SusanDoris]

NS

Many thanks for posting that link. I have just finished listening all the way through - most interesting.

[Gordon]

Much as it is sad to hear of the death of anyone: even one who had enjoyed a long life and privileged sinecure for the duration of that long life, these plans smack of overkill (pun intended).

Yes it is newsworthy, and no doubt the received wisdom will be that we are all grieving and that we'd won't mind being overwhelmed by experts recapping what we already know or having normal media and/or social and sporting activities constrained or cancelled by this excess of 'reverential' output and associated sycophantic drivel.

Ideally they'd let the monarchy die with her.

 

[floo]

It will be a very sad day when the Queen dies, she has worked hard for this country. We are much better off with a monarchy than a President, imo.

[Robbie]

Floo (you are smashing btw), i've never been a greatfan of monarchy in theory but I do like our Queen and what she stands for. She has allowed the monarchy to change for the better and has endured all sorrs of crisis. I love her dutiful stance above all else.

It will be a sad day when Elizabeth II dies which will be sometime in near future,considering she's in 91st year. My prayer is that sh will emulate her mother in longevity but her mother wasn't Queen with a capQ so had less responsibilities.

Dunno about surrounding ceremonies, whatever is done will not be conidered fitting by some and appropriate by others. It doesn't bother me as long as she is remembered well and goes down inhistory as a good'un.

[floo]

Why am I smashing Robinson?

[Nearly Sane]

It will be a very sad day when the Queen dies, she has worked hard for this country. We are much better off with a monarchy than a President, imo.

'King Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. THAT is why I am your king.
Dennis: [interrupting] Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.'

Though one can see the point, given Trump, that perhaps the farcical aquatic ceremony has some benefits. The American presidential system is certainly badly designed. The Irish system seems a much better approach. Hereditary monarchies are just as bizarre as the quote makes out.

[Robbie]

Somethign warm in your psots. Maybe shouldn't have said it, when I loggedin and saw your post found myself smiling. Ignore if you wish, it was just an impression.

[floo]

Somethign warm in your psots. Maybe shouldn't have said it, when I loggedin and saw your post found myself smiling. Ignore if you wish, it was just an impression.

My kids tell me I am senile, and when they have stumped up enough cash I will be heading on a one way trip to my 1 acre plot of land on Mars, which they gave me for my birthday.

[SusanDoris]

It will be a very sad day when the Queen dies, she has worked hard for this country. We are much better off with a monarchy than a President, imo.

Absolutely right.

[floo]

The Queen is just the head of state but doesn't have any actual power unlike a President. How would we feel if that psycho from across the pond was our head of state, with his finger on the button?

[Nearly Sane]

The Queen is just the head of state but doesn't have any actual power unlike a President. How would we feel if that psycho from across the pond was our head of state, with his finger on the button?

Which is why I said i don't think the American presidential system works. Other models are available - see Ireland.

[Gordon]

It will be a very sad day when the Queen dies, she has worked hard for this country. We are much better off with a monarchy than a President, imo.

That surely depends on how any Presidential role is defined.

I'd favour just getting rid of the monarchy and not replacing it with anything 'monarchy-light' and exploring ways to amend our governance processes: why do we need a non-elected Head of State anyway if political governance is via time-limited roles populated by elections?

I'm sure there are simple alternatives to having a monarch signing things, making scripted speeches, opening or launching things (inc. the demanding tasks of cutting ribbons and smashing bottles of alcohol) and, of course, perfecting one's waving technique.

[Gordon]

The Queen is just the head of state but doesn't have any actual power unlike a President.

So why bother having a monarch?

How would we feel if that psycho from across the pond was our head of state, with his finger on the button?

Which is, of course, an irrelevant point since even if the UK (with our without Scotland) went down the President route the individual you refer to is unlikely to be a candidate - and even if he was is it likely the UK electorate would vote for him?

[SqueakyVoice]

It will be a very sad day when the Queen dies, she has worked hard for this country. We are much better off with a monarchy than a President, imo.

Just think what the country would be like without her hard work. No one would be able to cross bridges, ambulances would stand idle outside newly built hospitals, (the annointed) knights of the realm would be queuing on their knees around Buck House and down the Mall and ships would never leave their docks were it not for all her work; cutting ceremonial  ribbons, tapping up geezers with swords and breaking bottles of bubbly.

[floo]

Just think what the country would be like without her hard work. No one would be able to cross bridges, ambulances would stand idle outside newly built hospitals, (the annointed) knights of the realm would be queuing on their knees around Buck House and down the Mall and ships would never leave their docks were it not for all her work; cutting ceremonial  ribbons, tapping up geezers with swords and breaking bottles of bubbly.

That poor woman is never off duty, and won't be until the day she dies. I doubt any of us would wish to take on such an onerous task.

[Gordon]

That poor woman is never off duty, and won't be until the day she dies. I doubt any of us would wish to take on such an onerous task.

'Onerous task' - surely you jest!

[Harrowby Hall]

The Queen is just the head of state but doesn't have any actual power unlike a President. How would we feel if that psycho from across the pond was our head of state, with his finger on the button?

Ah ... the old misconception.

When people think "president" they always look at the USA and think that its constitutional arrangement is the only one available. The USA has an executive president: the American president acts as both national figurehead and working politician. There are countries where this model has not been adopted, Germany, for example.

The presidency of Germany is an honour given to someone who has brought credit to the country.

Why not allow someone who has received public approbation for his or her achievements and the credit they have brought to the country as a temporary head of state not just someone who is the result of a random act of sexual intercourse? Certainly, the present monarch, like her father, has been an exemplary figurehead. But her uncle wasn't, and, had he not panted after a totally unsuitable spouse, we might have been stuck with him and his inadequacies for 36 years.

There are people around whose occupancy of a British presidency would be widely admired. I'll throw a couple hats into the ring: David Attenborough and Stephen Hawking. Perhaps even Mrs Elizabeth Mountbatten.

[SqueakyVoice]

'Onerous task' - surely you jest!

What makes you think Staying Alive (to Stop Charles Becoming King for As Long As Possible) isn't onerous?

[Gordon]

What makes you think Staying Alive (to Stop Charles Becoming King for As Long As Possible) isn't onerous?

I suppose there is that!

[SqueakyVoice]

Why not allow someone who has received public approbation for his or her achievements and the credit they have brought to the country as a temporary head of state not just someone who is the result of a random act of sexual intercourse?
...
There are people around whose occupancy of a British presidency would be widely admired. I'll throw a couple hats into the ring: David Attenborough and Stephen Hawking. Perhaps even Mrs Elizabeth Mountbatten.

Two more alternatives;
1 - Have a random monarch (it works for Jury service after all)
2 - Scrap the monarchy and give the residual powers to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

[Anchorman]

Much as it is sad to hear of the death of anyone: even one who had enjoyed a long life and privileged sinecure for the duration of that long life, these plans smack of overkill (pun intended). Yes it is newsworthy, and no doubt the received wisdom will be that we are all grieving and that we'd won't mind being overwhelmed by experts recapping what we already know or having normal media and/or social and sporting activities constrained or cancelled by this excess of 'reverential' output and associated sycophantic drivel. Ideally they'd let the monarchy die with her.

- It might come as a surprise to some when I say that I admire Elizabeth Mountbatten Windsor for her dedication to what she sees as her role. A modest funeral, paid from her estate, would be fitting. I would mourn the passing of the lady - and UI hope she enjoys many more years - with the same attitude that I would have to the passing of any other elderly person who tried to do their best. However, I reserve the right to treat the titles, robes, trappings and flummery of an unearned, unelected position with contempt and disdain.

[Harrowby Hall]

What makes you think Staying Alive (to Stop Charles Becoming King for As Long As Possible) isn't onerous?

But Charles' case exemplifies the real problem. An intelligent and capable man has been forced into permanent unemployment for a lifetime. He should have been given a job and told to get on with it instead of spending sixty or so years hanging around for his mother to drop dead.

We have no idea what kind of monarch he will make - he may be exemplary - but boredom is not good preparation for anything,

But however he turns out, a republic would be preferable

[Nearly Sane]

Two more alternatives;
1 - Have a random monarch (it works for Jury service after all)
2 - Scrap the monarchy and give the residual powers to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Or when Liz dies, we follow Nth Korea's lead and give her the title of Eternal Head of State?

Slightly more seriously, the Queen is Head of State for 15 other countries, but is very rarely in any of them - which goes to show that the actual need for stuff to be dine is minimal.

[Harrowby Hall]

Or when Liz dies, we follow Nth Korea's lead and give her the title of Eternal Head of State?

Would she have to be endowed with a funny haircut?