OT- The Queen's Christmas Day Message to the Commonwealth

[Andy_Faber]

Not one of Lou's finest hours - the main shame being that its a double album

The only record I ended my teenage party going years with MORE copies rather than LESS. Side 4 was my favourite with a running time of infinity

[ramAnag]

But if its a dreadful dirge (which I fully endorse having been the first in thread to describe it thus) how can it inspire the little men to such self sacrifice?

I think Swale has jumped from the ‘dreadful dirge’ of the Anthem to ‘Rule Britannia’, Rog.
The words of that really are a total anachronism but I think he’s right about the original intention.
On my occasional, otherwise very enjoyable, visits to Twickers I have to admit to just feeling slightly embarrassed when the singing of ‘Jerusalem’ or ‘Swing Lo’ starts up. Love the occasion...hate the singing...but when the Welsh sing it’s special. Was once in the bar at the old Swansea ground after Wales U21 had played France the night before the full international at Cardiff...the singing, from both sides (and the drinking) was phenomenal.

[Romanis]

I laugh when I read stuff like why bother with a HoS because you only need some civil servant to deal with everything.
It's only theatre. Everything is decided before hand.

Perhaps they should look at the Canadian situation where Harper was facing defeat and requested a prorogue.
The GG had to consider that request carefully. Before finally agreeing which turned out the right decision.

And oh yes, there's a reason we have civil servants like an SG and others to study and prepare stuff. And there's also good reason why they are not in charge.

[Andy_Faber]

I think Swale has jumped from the ‘dreadful dirge’ of the Anthem to ‘Rule Britannia’, Rog.
The words of that really are a total anachronism but I think he’s right about the original intention.
On my occasional, otherwise very enjoyable, visits to Twickers I have to admit to just feeling slightly embarrassed when the singing of ‘Jerusalem’ or ‘Swing Lo’ starts up. Love the occasion...hate the singing...but when the Welsh sing it’s special. Was once in the bar at the old Swansea ground after Wales U21 had played France the night before the full international at Cardiff...the singing, from both sides (and the drinking) was phenomenal.

Just to be perverse (as usual) I love Jerusalem as piece of music and a poem and its so ambiguous in its writing it could be argued by some as 'against' everything some folk think its 'for'. BUT 'Swing Low' is an embarrassment I'd agree. although the words are generic it is clearly a Negro/native American (can't recall the tribe) song, and what the **** has it got to do with England or rugby?

[roger_ramjet]

What has Sailing or Rod Stewart got to do with the Rams. Yet "we" still sing it

[ramAnag]

What has Sailing or Rod Stewart got to do with the Rams. Yet "we" still sing it

Do ‘we’. I certainly don’t. Bloody awful song from a singer who has sung nothing worth listening to since about 1971...imo.

[Andy_Faber]

Do ‘we’. I certainly don’t. Bloody awful song from a singer who has sung nothing worth listening to since about 1971...imo.

I think Rog is confused with the Rod Stewart one Forest sing - In a Broken Dream....

[Romanis]

Benefit scroungers eh? In reality, the Crown Estates provide for Royal Expenditure. The Royal Family pockets 15% to cover all royal expenses, upkeep and events. The balance goes to HM's Treasury. The estate has paid over 2.4 billion pounds to HM's Treasury for public use over the past 10 years. Some benefit scroungers they are!

The Queen owing to age has scaled back public engagements down to around 296 a year. Prince Charles has over 500, with the Princess Royal in 2nd place. I don't think even a non-executive President in republics perform duties at such scales. But hey, these royals are good for nothings and offer no benefit or perform no duties to the public right?

What exactly is the Queen's role? Here's an example:

Most constitutional monarchies employ a system that includes the principle of responsible government. In such an order, the reserve powers are thought to be the means by which the monarch and his or her viceregal representatives can legitimately exist as "constitutional guardians" or "umpires", tasked with guaranteeing that Cabinet and parliament adhere to the fundamental constitutional principles of the rule of law and responsible government itself. Some constitutional scholars, such as George Winterton, have stated that reserve powers are a good thing in that they allow for a head of state to handle an unforeseen crisis.

The Monarch's primary roles is to advise and be advised, to encourage and to warn. She is kept informed in her weekly meetings with the PM and through Cabinet papers. She reigns but does not rule and exercises the Royal Prerogative on the advise on her Ministers.

[ramAnag]

Benefit scroungers eh? In reality, the Crown Estates provide for Royal Expenditure. The Royal Family pockets 15% to cover all royal expenses, upkeep and events. The balance goes to HM's Treasury. The estate has paid over 2.4 billion pounds to HM's Treasury for public use over the past 10 years. Some benefit scroungers they are!

The Queen owing to age has scaled back public engagements down to around 296 a year. Prince Charles has over 500, with the Princess Royal in 2nd place. I don't think even a non-executive President in republics perform duties at such scales. But hey, these royals are good for nothings and offer no benefit or perform no duties to the public right?

What exactly is the Queen's role? Here's an example:

Most constitutional monarchies employ a system that includes the principle of responsible government. In such an order, the reserve powers are thought to be the means by which the monarch and his or her viceregal representatives can legitimately exist as "constitutional guardians" or "umpires", tasked with guaranteeing that Cabinet and parliament adhere to the fundamental constitutional principles of the rule of law and responsible government itself. Some constitutional scholars, such as George Winterton, have stated that reserve powers are a good thing in that they allow for a head of state to handle an unforeseen crisis.

The Monarch's primary roles is to advise and be advised, to encourage and to warn. She is kept informed in her weekly meetings with the PM and through Cabinet papers. She reigns but does not rule and exercises the Royal Prerogative on the advise on her Ministers.

Jeez, Rom...thought you wanted this thread to come to an end a few days ago...now you’re keeping it alive by arguing with yourself!
Now Warburton’s gone maybe QE can follow King John’s lead and take control of the Forest - assuming there’s still a ‘Sheriff’ somewhere in Nottingham.

[Romanis]

Ah but there comes swale with his 'expert opinion.' And I dunno who, who said there's no need for a HoS tier, that politicians will be able to settle the issue of leadership and governance by themselves without a quarrel And the Civil Service actually does the job of Monarchy. Might as well dispense with politicians, elections and Parliament and let the Civil Service run the country.