The Royal Family, state owned property

[Gi Me Beer]

It is well known that I am not pro royal, however I do think that expecting the Royals to maintain the buildings that are state owned could set a very very dangerous precedent.

[Mr.Clark]

If they're state owned, shouldn't the royals pay rent to the state for them?

[Gi Me Beer]

As this is where the state wants them to live, for whatever reason, then probably not, no.

[Ekona]

Tbh, Buck Palace isn't particularly old or astounding or anything. Just knock it down and build something truly special in its place, that'd be a better use of the funds.

[Helios]

Abolish royalty.
It's sickening.

[Ekona]

It's awesome. I'd be an amazing king.

Plus, it makes fortunes for the country. Win/win.

[RB]

I think Royalty should be reduced to the level of Micky Mouse. They should be made to wander around palaces which are open to the public and you get to take your photo with them whenever you want and they can't refuse.

[Helios]

I don't like the idea of royalty because it tells us all that no matter how hard you try you'll never be as super privileged as a bunch of people born/married into it.
They got to that position with absolutely no effort.
Nothing they do in the position makes it OK.
Any idiot born into it could do just as well if he or she wanted to.

We should be telling society that if you want to be super privileged you have to work for it.
Like a garden variety entrepreneur.

Also, does the Royal family pay taxes?
Are they tax evaders?

[Ekona]

How does that differ from anyone born into money? Or what about those people that work their socks off, get to be the richest person in the world, then have kids? Do those kids suddenly become less deserving? Should they then be given absolutely nothing at all? Of course not.

The RF do not pay tax as they are not legally liable to. However, they do make voluntary contributions equivalent to income tax on earnings anyway. CGT is also voluntarily paid on disposal of assets.

[Helios]

If you're not royalty but born into a rich family than I imagine you don't live off taxpayers' money and have to pull some decent strings if you want to avoid both taxes and law.

Royalty get that all for free.

[Ekona]

You're kidding, right? The rich people can buy the best tax advice and live off earnings not taxed in this country if at all, whilst contributing nothing. At least the Royals bring in a bucketload of cash via tourists.

[Mr.Clark]

I'm basically a republican (in the British sense), but my main reason for not campaigning harder against them is that I can't really see what we'd replace them with.

I mean... no-one actually goes to the UK to see The Queen (and those that do must be mostly disappointed...). They go for the history. The buildings. They'll still be there. So I don't see removing the royal family as doing anything noticeable to tourism.

But, a non-governmental head of state? People who are (effectively) trained from birth to deal with the global elite?

That's actually not bad. And what's the alternative? Have the PM pick a crony as head of state? Possibly even worse, a popular vote? Our very own (but relatively de-powered) Donald Trump?

No thanks.

So yes. Get rid of the monarchy. But, like Brexit, I won't vote for that until there's a sensible plan in place first. Otherwise, madness.

[Helios]

I don't accept that the Royals are bringing in anyone to see them either.
They're never seen apart from at fancy events and I doubt people that aren't already in the country travel to see them when that happens.
If they do then I'm happy to admit that I'm wrong and they serve some purpose.

What's the Queen do as head of state?
Throw fancy parties.
Give opinions to the PM. But not give him orders or suggestions on what to do. She isn't allowed to do that is she?

The solution is:
- Forced relocation so that every community has an equal mixture of colours and ethnicities. There are ghettos all over the place where no mixing of different cultures occurs.
- Educate the stupid British public. Of all ethnicities. The xenophobia needs to be educated out. It will take a generation or two but eventually we'll get there.
- Get rid of Monarchy and have a President.
- Pay Helios a gazillion pounds a year.

[Ekona]

I genuinely don't know how much of that is serious

[siteguru]

The last bullet point is serious ... the first is (scarily) like Nazi propaganda!