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Support for British monarchy at highest for decades: poll

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However, even if this contention were true, it is utterly degrading that we should compromise the integrity of British democracy for commercial reasons; as if a bit of extra cash in tourist revenue is more important than the right of British citizens to have fully accountable, functioning democratic representation.

It's not the Queen that compromises the integrity of British democracy, but rather the fact that you keep getting idiot PMs. That and the fact the London and most of the larger cities of Britain are populated by third-world folks due to an insane immigration policy. Someone above mentioned that expatriates mostly support the monarchy - well they didn't leave because of the Queen, they left because too much of Britain has become unrecognizable to them (except the north and Scotland to a degree). I spent the weekend with a few hundred from England and that was the general consensus I got. They support the Queen for many reasons, but one of them is that she represents a system that is part of the culture that is all but disappearing in the land once loved so much. Now they are all heading to Australia, the US, etc.

Religions and races do not have to worry about violent conquest - they are slowly winning the war through massive immigration. I heard on the BBC that Marseille in France is now majority Muslim. There are cities in the UK that cannot be far behind. Better hang on to the Monarchy; it's one of the few English things you have left.

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Fugacis may well be right that the economic arguments in favour of the monarchy are unproven, or indeed irrelevant. But I don't think the monarchy compromises British democracy. The Queen is a "symbol of the state" in much the same way that the Japanese Emperor is, and her involvement in the democratic process is purely ceremonial, influencing it little, if at all. Jimizo is right that Prince Charles has some tendency to attempt to influence decisions, and that's certainly a risk, but I think it will work out OK. Molenir is wrong that Charles has announced he will not take the throne; there's some popular support for the idea of passing it straight to Prince William, but I think it's unlikely to happen.

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Admired? Mrs Windsor is admired because she has the good sense to keep her mouth shut unlike her eldest son. Hardly worthy of admiration. It'll be interesting to take another poll after Charles, a man with a history of trying to influence politicians and half-baked criticisms, becomes head of state.

Charles won't ever take the thrown. Announced several years ago, that he'd leave it to his sons instead.

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Regardless of any other arguments, just on financial grounds (i.e. direct and indirect effect on the UK economy from tourism) I'd vote to keep the royal family. I have reservations about their behaviour, e.g. towards Diana, but as a commercial decision I'd keep them, especially since most of the royal family started paying tax.

This is transparently false, though it's one of the monarchist crowd's favourite contentions. There is no evidence whatsoever to say that it is the monarchy that attracts tourists; especially since Buckingham Palace remains closed to tourists for the majority of the year, and when it is opened up it is to a minimal number of rooms. In fact, Legoland Windsor far outstrips either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle in the number of annual visitors. The majority of overseas tourists come to London for the iconic pictures: the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the Thames, the Tower of London, Saint Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and yes, Buckingham Palace. They never get to see the Queen, nor is there any indication that they want to.

Monarchists have to prove that getting rid of the monarchy would deter tourists, and this they have failed to do. The Palace at Versailles is the most visited attraction in the French Republic, and possibly the most visited attraction in Europe, more than two centuries after the French rid themselves of their monarchy. The whole place is now open to tourists, the history made wonderfully available. Few in France are clamouring for the return of the monarchy either.

However, even if this contention were true, it is utterly degrading that we should compromise the integrity of British democracy for commercial reasons; as if a bit of extra cash in tourist revenue is more important than the right of British citizens to have fully accountable, functioning democratic representation.

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"Support for the monarchy in Britain is at its highest level for decades thanks to Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee and last year’s royal wedding, according to a new poll published Saturday."

"There are three kinds of lie; lie, damned lies and statistics," Mark Twain.

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Opps. Thought it was photo of Storm Troopers...

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Admired? Mrs Windsor is admired because she has the good sense to keep her mouth shut unlike her eldest son. Hardly worthy of admiration. It'll be interesting to take another poll after Charles, a man with a history of trying to influence politicians and half-baked criticisms, becomes head of state.

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The actual Royal Family are admired, with the exception of air-miles Andy, his daughters and bankrupt train wreck of an ex-wife Sarah Ferguson; but the relatives and hangers on are despised for their conspicuous consumption and extravagance. 5~10 vacations each year, police protection, partying with the A-listers, in exchange for a token appearance at a charity event is not good value.

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state broken people May. 20, 2012 - 10:54AM JST

irony is that support for the monarchy is highest among expatriate British.

I wouldn't say that - I'd give a rough guess of 50% from the other UK Citizens I know here. Then again, there could be a "what I say in public, what I say in private" bias going on.

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Regardless of any other arguments, just on financial grounds (i.e. direct and indirect effect on the UK economy from tourism) I'd vote to keep the royal family. I have reservations about their behaviour, e.g. towards Diana, but as a commercial decision I'd keep them, especially since most of the royal family started paying tax.

Not sure I've ever seen a reliable cost/benefit analysis on that, so it's just a guesstimate. My 2p worth.

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irony is that support for the monarchy is highest among expatriate british.

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Long live the Queen!

She already did.

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Citizen not subject

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Jeeeeezus. Who did the poll? Everyone on The Mall?

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Long live the Queen!

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