There is no financial advantage to cutting the monarchy, the presidential replacement would cost just as much, only difference is they’d not make us a profit. People oppose the morachy for moral reasons which is fine, but that’s the only basis on which it is credible to oppose it. If we want to make cuts, the Monarchy is at the bottom of the list. If you want to “start” somewhere, start with the biggest wasters first, then deal with the small fry. That means start by cutting all contributions to the EU, all foreign bailouts, the majority of foreign aid, cutting of the majority of the Civil Service, simplification of the tax system, the managerial lumps of the NHS etc.

@John Green
I haven’t seen Robbie Williams walking into the concert with every fan, so I presume they were just there to look at the stadium building? The UK gets a lot of tourism from it’s Royal Family, the only thing that is non-sense is the idea that this aspect of tourism would continue if the Royal Family was axed.

@John Green
But Queen actually generates a profit for the country. Will a President? Nope! On the basis we should keep her. The US President lives in similar levels of luxury it seems anyway. Of course the best option would be to have a referendum on the issue, alongside an in/out referendum on the EU!

@bazv
Oh I was just making a related point, it’s not directed at you in particular. Don’t worry, I have a great sense of humour 🙂

@Wokka Bob
I’m no expert on this, but as I understand it most of the palaces such as Buckingham Palace are owned by the Crown, the Crown is the State. I’d be more concerned by the Government and authorities such as Police acting as if they are in control of the people and we are there to serve them, when actually the people are the ones in control and they are there to serve us! The Government simply borrows powers from the people, on a temporary basis, to govern the country as the people want it to be governed!

@bazv
So how many generations should someone living in Britain have to live here before they become British? I also find it quite interesting that many of those who call the Queen German, would never say someone in Britain who is black or Asian, isn’t British, and would call anyone who does a racist when actually their own double standard is the real racism!

@benyboy
Depends what you are celebrating. I think for many it is a celebration of our country and local communities, with our head of state representing our country, rather than celebrating the Queen herself. Some of course are celebrating the Queen! I do not regard the Queen as anyone special, she is just a normal person like you and I, to me at least.

Indeed dropping the F35C would have less effect on the US forces as a whole than dropping the F35B, as the USMC F35B on LHA + USN/USMC F18E/F/G on CVN combo is more potent than USN/USMC F35C + F18/E/F/G on CVN and attack helicopters on the LHA! But I suspect in the former case the USN would want a redesign of the F18E 🙂