Matt Wardman over at Anna Raccoon's place mounts a stout if redundent defence of monarchy. I use the word 'redundent' because, as he indicates, Republicanism is getting nowhere. Perhaps his most effective argument is when he takes the life of the oldest human ever to have lived in modern times, a certain Jeanne Louise Calment, a French lady who lived from 21 February 1875 – 4 August 1997. He then tots up the number of different governments La France has had to invent during those years. He then goes back 30 years prior to Mde. Calment's birth and the number almost doubles. Meanwhile, of course, we tottered on gradually changing what might be called the peripherals of our national governance whilst maintaining the monarchy as our core.
He also points out that support for the monarchy as evidenced by various polls has hardly changed in the last 15 years. And in a final killer point he reminds us that a list of the most admired European states would probably include the Scandinavians and the Dutch and four out of the five have constitutional monarchs. It's a good article and worth reading in full.
My own argument in favour of the monarchy is unfair, cruel, brutal but conclusive - John Prescott! He is about to stand for election as a Chief Constable somewhere 'ooop North' and that has brough his deeply unloveable features back onto my TV screen. It reminds me that back in the Blair days he was thought by some Republicans to be the sort of candidate we could adopt as a new-style President of the United Kingdom. Need I say more? Well, only, God bless Her Majesty and may she live long to rule over us!
This is a comment from 'AK' who was so overcome by my picture of 'Harry Harperson' (above) that he posted his comment in the wrong spot!
I'd perhaps be more supportive of Her Majesty if she'd said something about the EU. Maybe she has in private, but in my view that's not enough - it's the twenty-first century and such matters should be above board.
I can't believe Victoria would have said and done so (apparently) little.
Apart from that, she has reigned with dignity and dedication for sixty years and these days, both the dignity and the dedication we'll probably never see again.
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 15 February 2012 at 11:37
We will have to wait for the histories to be written, I suppose, but I think she has trod very carefully along a very narrow line conscious, of course, that the rat-pack would be waiting for any political impropriety.
Posted by: David Duff | Wednesday, 15 February 2012 at 12:52
David. Her auld ma kept her on the straight and narrow. In spite of any indiscretions in her family she has served the British people well. She loves her country and those that fought for our freedom.
I hope she goes on a bit more. Glass of port raised to her. 'The Queen'.
Posted by: Jimmy | Thursday, 16 February 2012 at 00:22
Port, Jimmy?! I thought you would have preferred a fine old single malt!
Posted by: David Duff | Thursday, 16 February 2012 at 09:09
I'd suggest Glenfiddich. At Over in the US of A's, prices.
An' maybe a "leaked" vid with the "Lesbian Straightener" so long as ya'll don't put it on our PBS. Maybe send it to Andra.
"Penile Colony" twarn't it?
Gawd! Imagine it. Andra, the above pictured and that dreadful Guillard lady... erm... sorry 'bout mentioning "lady" (well 'cept for you Andra - you do read D&N) if that's not a qualification I don't know whut cud be...
Posted by: JK | Thursday, 16 February 2012 at 10:00
The Dutch are an interesting case amongst the monarchies, in that they had quite a lengthy and successful spell as a republic. They nevertheless stuck with their monarchy.
I bet the Afghans wish they'd stuck with theirs. Getting rid of their King was the mother of all foul-ups!
Posted by: H | Thursday, 16 February 2012 at 13:41