Yes, they no serve no useful purpose:

The museums, palaces, art collections, architecture, etc brings in tourism, to this country and would continue to do so whether some of those palaces were inhabited by the monarchy or not. The french after all removed their monarchy some time ago and France is the most visited country in the world. And of course with them out the way the palaces could be opened fully, the artworks that are kept hidden shown, etc and we would attract more tourists.

- They handicap our already pathetic "democracy" - in theory providing a check on government, but in practice in this day and age, they cannot exercise any other their theoretical powers, because it would cause uproar and they would be out on their ear.

- They are ridiculously expensive, they cost 150 times as much as the Irish president. (They do not cost 60p per person as some idiots suggest, that accounts for £37m, it does not include the £100m security costs, the special tax status they get, etc.)

- It is morally repugnant that in a democracy people who struggle to pay for their fuel bills are paying towards the upkeep of this unelected group of inbred parasites who have done absolutely nothing to deserve their position other than being born, it sets a terrible example to the nation.

Are you saying we should remove them the same way the French did?

I'm really neither here or there on this one if I'm honest,t you say they don't really bring anything to the economy yet people who support a monarchy will show you figures and statistics that show they more than pay for them selfs. Prince Phillip has always been great value for money with all his stupid comments and now it looks like Prince Harry is willing to step into his Grandfathers shoes with his hilarious gaffs as he trys to become the BNP's new poster boy :)

And you say it sets a terrible example to the nation? What a nation that worships pond life like Jade Goodie?

I think the Monarchy have there pros and cons. I do however think attacking Jade Goddie is a bit insensitive. She might be one of the most un couth, un talented, stupid, annoying and useless so called celebrity of the last 10 years but I think she should be left alone for the next few months to enjoy what time she has left with her family.

Can someone start a post about Jade Goody please , i was trying to actually try and get peoples opinions on the monarchy! Not Jade Goody.

Thankyou

What Jade Goodie is going to die? Really where did you hear that? Has it been in the papers?

gates:

We were actually having a debate about the monarchy, why would start on jade goodie..... someone who has actually months to live...pretty sad if you ask me.

Also you've picked up on a really small part of my post and ignored all the stuff about the Monarchy, I was using Ms Goodie to make a point. You have changed the theme of the thread, nobody else.

We got rid of the Monarchy after the English Civil War when Oliver Cromwell's Round Heads defeated King Charles I Royalists in the 16th century. After a short while in charge we brought back the Monarchy who have been here ever since. A short piece of history for you.LOL

Back then the Monarchy ruled and governed the entire Country, nowadays the Royal family have espensive holidays,use RAF helicopters to go shopping,fall out of chinawhites drunk and appear on "Its a knockout". The country is now run by Gordon Brown! should we get rid of the goverment and return to the old ways and be ruled by the monarchy? Im sure we would have a few more laughs than we are at the moment.....

The serious arguments in favour of the monarchy run something like this:

1. It attracts money from tourism.

2. It provides a theoretical check to the power of the Commons.

3. The monarch is a non-political ambassador for Britain.

And the problems with these arguments?

1. Not half as much as it takes from us.

2. Never has the word 'theoretical' been so accurate.

3. Non-political, maybe, but after Prince Philip's various gaffes and now it would appear young Prince Harry, certainly not politically correct.

Well thats that sorted lets do as the French did and execute the lot of them, we could televise it. Far more interesting than the X-Factor.