My first post disappeared
Have you ever writing 1000 words of the most interesting introspection and found that it had vanished without trace? That, my friends is what has happened to my first post - no doubt due to not understanding how this medium works. I shall do my best to recreate what I had written, but like all these things, it will be but a pale imitation of the original.
Somewhat against my will, I half watched the ceremonial of King Charles’ coronation. I say “somewhat” as my position on the monarchy is conflicted. I was an Elizabethan, in that I had great admiration for our late queen, but now I would call myself something in between a monarchist and a republican - I am both and I am neither, a dichotomy which I hope will resolve itself in due course.
I have lived the past 70 years of my life under the “kingship” (I know, don’t give me a hard time, it’s just that “Queen ship” doesn’t sound right) of Queen Elizabeth II and it seemed natural to give her allegiance. Since she has passed I find myself in difficulties. I acknowledge Charles III as the head of state - rather an unelected hereditary person than an appointed politician, yet I would prefer an elected president (as we have in Ireland over the hereditary king.
I acknowledge the work that the royal family do at home and abroad and that this work is performed by more than just the titular head. There are a number of working royals who do a deal of goodwill work. However, I would prefer to see the royals be self sufficient and merely be paid a salary/stipend for the work that they do, rather than have the State subsidise this extremely rich family.
I should end this brief missive by saying that I have great admiration for what Charles achieved as Prince of Wales and I hope that his son will continue this good work, along with the environmental work undertaken in the Duchy of Cornwall.
In my next post, I will be talking about the over-reaching laws introduced a few days ago to give the police powers that a fascist state would appreciate.