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

[Andy_Faber]

Not sure why you’d make such a point of singing the anthem when ‘sung by others’, Andy...and as for singing ‘Flower of Scotland’, trust it wasn’t at an international against England? That would be a ‘treasonable’ offence on a par with Princess Anne.
You’ll be singing Waltzing Matilda at the cricket next!
Happy New Year to you and yours anyway and COYR.

just an eccentricity of mine R, no it was v. Samoa

[swaledale]

I always sing the anthem when sung by others, never talk over it when its on TV and used to stand for it when on TV as well. I actually show due respect for all anthems, mainly in solidarity with the folk of any such nation who also shows respect. Like it or not, we are organised into nation states and showing such respect is my way of reminding myself that nations and the folk in them should be united patriots no divided bigots. Trust that makes sense.

I've sung it twice for an 'audience', once solo, once as a duet, rather awkwardly with a young lady who could actually sing, I've also sung the American National Anthem (which is a bitch to sing) to an audience karaoke style off my phone after someone got stage fright.

Given the above it should go without saying that as an act of allegiance with Mrs Faber I sang 'Flower Of Scotland' at the recent rugger international we attended, albeit I missed out the bit where they shout 'B***ards!' about The English...

Would not sing any song with God Save, Queen in it never mind about the cheery jingoistic rules the waves crap that belongs in another age and its a dreadful dirge anyway. It was as always designed to spur the "little man" sacrifice themselves to enable the elite to continue to live as they wish to, still I'm sure the Far right UKIP and others of that ilk are very good united patriots!

[Andy_Faber]

Would not sing any song with God Save, Queen in it never mind about the cheery jingoistic rules the waves crap that belongs in another age and its a dreadful dirge anyway. It was as always designed to spur the "little man" sacrifice themselves to enable the elite to continue to live as they wish to, still I'm sure the Far right UKIP and others of that ilk are very good united patriots!

Funny, I already guessed you wouldn't

[Romanis]

And let me be clear I'm no fan of a lot of rubbish royalty.
It's very true of the Conservative party that I support that have a lot of snobbish royal hangers on. As if they are superior or some peers and Lords are 'noble and superior beings.'

The House of Lords should be scrapped and replaced with a Senate or just have 1 House.

Only the Monarch and her children should be royal. Only grandchildren born of the heir should retain royal status.

The rest should be commoners.

And yes knighthoods are a joke. Andy Murray knighted. Alex Ferguson and the list goes on

[Romanis]

Not have a tier. Surely you jest. Who's gonna appoint? Who's gonna open Parliament? Who's gonna remove a bad govt? Who's gonna pardon and do loads of other duties?

And yes if Charles does his duty then why not?

[MadAmster]

Not have a tier. Surely you jest. Who's gonna appoint? Who's gonna open Parliament? Who's gonna remove a bad govt? Who's gonna pardon and do loads of other duties?

And yes if Charles does his duty then why not?

Change the rules so that, after an election, the path to follow is mapped out. Largest party, if no one party has a majority, gets first go. If they can't form a coalition, the 2nd largest etc. Just make it a list of "what happens" rather than have an unelected "puppet" decree what the current rules "state".

The speaker is supposed to be neutral, if you really feel the need to have someone open Parliament and "appoint" the PM, why not let that be the speaker following constitutional rules?

You don't need a Pres or Monarch.

[roger_ramjet]

The Queen is not silent. She makes her position which is always to ensure a functioning govt through her PPS. This is far better than herself negotiating with party leaders. The leaders ensure they can command or appear to command confidence.

Of course she can and will reject advise if need be and use her Reserve Powers but that has not arisen thus far.

Anyway quick question(s).

Have any of you not sung the national anthem lately?
When attending events?

Have not sworn allegiance to the Crown when serving?

Quick answers

1. I dont think Ive ever sung it, nor will I. Dreadful depressing dirge.

2. I am not a good tennis player and thus swear otfen when serving, but not sure what this has to do with the royal family.

3. There is no need for the queen to act as invigilator in establishing parliament. It can be done by any appointed civil servant with a few minutes training.

4. But I still think there is a role for the royal family in giving countless millions a warm fuzzy feeling. Royal weddings seem to make previously sensible people go all wobbly with joy. Royal funerals even more so - remember the massive outpourings of cathartic grief when the Queen of Tarts hit the tunnel wall. I dont remember seeing many flowers outside Harrods. Joe public "love 'em" and they dont do any harm, they dont cost much, they attract tourism and promote the country. Lets not let the jealous anti royal hardliners throw out something that gives pleasure to many people

[ramAnag]

Quick answers

1. I dont think Ive ever sung it, nor will I. Dreadful depressing dirge.

2. I am not a good tennis player and thus swear otfen when serving, but not sure what this has to do with the royal family.

3. There is no need for the queen to act as invigilator in establishing parliament. It can be done by any appointed civil servant with a few minutes training.

4. But I still think there is a role for the royal family in giving countless millions a warm fuzzy feeling. Royal weddings seem to make previously sensible people go all wobbly with joy. Royal funerals even more so - remember the massive outpourings of cathartic grief when the Queen of Tarts hit the tunnel wall. I dont remember seeing many flowers outside Harrods. Joe public "love 'em" and they dont do any harm, they dont cost much, they attract tourism and promote the country. Lets not let the jealous anti royal hardliners throw out something that gives pleasure to many people

I never sing the National Anthem (or Steve Bloomer’s Watching come to that) and it’s doubtful I ever will.
Neither have I ‘sworn allegiance’ lately...not since I was in the Cubs actually...I no longer believe in adults who dress oddly and call themselves Akela and Baloo either.
I will concede that the Americans seem to love Royal Weddings etc and say things like...’Ah’ll say one thing about you Brits boy...you sure know how to organaze a good wedding...that Diana or Kate (whoever, although oddly never Ann or Fergie) looked like a real Princess’...but it fails to fill me with pride or offer a justification for continuing with the monarchy.

[Manofpride]

England without a King or Queen would be like Derby without a Ram!

[MadAmster]

Can't remember the last time I sang the Anthem. Damned awful dirge it is, as my friend Yoda would say.

Allegiance? Probably in the game against those huggers of trees a couple of months back.......... Derby Till I Die.
The time before that would have been aged 11 when I joined the Grammar School Scout Troop.

As a new Cloggy I don't see me giving vent to "Wilhelmus van Nassauer" any time soon.