Queen Elizabeth II

A very interesting piece by David Hare in the Guardian, assume it was pre-written otherwise it's very thoughtful on short notice.

www.theguardian.com

New Britain, same as the old one: the legacy of the second Elizabethan era | David Hare

The Queen’s accession seemed to herald a fresh start for Britain. But as politics became more squalid, her bland persona was a good match for the monarchy’s survival instinct, says playwright David Hare
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 
Loved her.
She visited us over here 22 times. More than any other country.

I consider my land truly blessed to have been granted its status from colony to nation by Victoria, Mother of our Confederation.
But equally so having had Elizabeth as Canada's Queen for so long. God grant her a well earned rest.

Long live Charles III, King of Canada.
 
StillBluessinceHydeRoad said:
I do agree that this country operates under "a ... broken political system" but I cannot agree that it is broken totally. Our system tries to reconcile two principles, the elective and the hereditary. Most "radical" thought is no more sophisticated than a crude demand to get rid of the hereditary elements completely. In fact, the House of Lords is no longer based on any principle of heredity and is little more than a chamber of ageing MPs and government placemen. It is not a chamber which can compel the Commons to reconsider because it lacks legitimacy. Yet we need desperately a second chamber which can compel the executive to reflect maturely before acting. This is essential because the elective element in the constitution no longer works at all. We have an electoral system which rewards 30 odd % of the votes with a working, even a crushing, majority of MPs, in which no government has ever won 50% of the votes cast, which is dominated by parties dominated by one faction, which produce prime ministers who think increasingly in slogans and soundbites ("hug a hoody", "Brexit means Brexit", "get Brexit done") while they get on with fiddling expenses, lying and breaking their own laws.

This brings us to the one part of the constitution which has worked - the hereditary, constitutional monarchy, and the credit for this goes to Queen Elizabeth 11. I am sure that many of us would find that she led a privileged existence, that the dead hand of the protocol of court life would be insufferable but as a constitutional monarch she has always shown the sensitive touch that only the highest sense of duty and the most genuine concern for her people could produce. Being that kind of constitutional monarch is by no means easy but for Queen Elizabeth it was an instinct, not a calculation and in that lies her greatness. Now Charles is king. He must realise that he can no longer be "the dissident prince" and that his role as king brings far more responsibilities that rights and privileges. We need him to succeed.
Click to expand...
Great post that.
Certainly rings true re the "crude demand to get rid of the hereditary elements completely". Especially if King Charles pokes his oars into some of the more nefarious goings on with this govt and democracy as a whole.
Gonna be interesting times ahead (and I'm not wholly confident we can stem the flow of detritus frothing out of the UK).
 
We never knew the queens opinion on anything but we know all about the kings , how he governs now will be interesting , will he stop giving his opinions now , does he have to ?

Cant stand her or him so not that bothered really , just wondering , hope william gets in in my lifetime
 
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