Death Of Queen Elizabeth The II

[davejb]

I don't think I consider myself to be a sycophant thanks, and if 25% are republicans then 75% bloody well aren't!

HM served as queen longer than any previous monarch, I don't think it's out of order to pay respects to somebody who devoted themselves to that extent to the country to the degree being shown now. Yes, she had a privileged life, in exchange for living in a fishbowl, it isn't a life I'd particularly care to swap my own life for. The republican alternative of course would be that we have an elected head of state, in other words the political system that currently works so obviously brilliantly would provide us not only with a PM and house of commons (and, as they're pretty much appointed by political parties these days) our upper house of Lords, but we'd have the incredible joy of contemplating a political appointee as president or whatever.... yes. sounds idyllic.

Dave

 

[dave58]

Now they have gone and abandoned Saturday and Sunday too. The BHA needs to realise that we're not all sycophants. You might not get to hear it on the BBC but the last time they counted, 25% of the British were Republicans.

So what you are saying is that the BHA appears to be trying to be sympathetic towards the views of three quarters of the population ?

Seems a reasonable response to me.

Or have I missed something here ?

 

[Arrocuda]

I don't think I consider myself to be a sycophant thanks, and if 25% are republicans then 75% bloody well aren't!

HM served as queen longer than any previous monarch, I don't think it's out of order to pay respects to somebody who devoted themselves to that extent to the country to the degree being shown now. Yes, she had a privileged life, in exchange for living in a fishbowl, it isn't a life I'd particularly care to swap my own life for. The republican alternative of course would be that we have an elected head of state, in other words the political system that currently works so obviously brilliantly would provide us not only with a PM and house of commons (and, as they're pretty much appointed by political parties these days) our upper house of Lords, but we'd have the incredible joy of contemplating a political appointee as president or whatever.... yes. sounds idyllic.

Dave

This isn't a political forum so I won't go into my reasons as to why but it is supposedly still a democratic country where residents are free to form their own opinions/decisions with regard to the political system we all live under. I don't go around trashing monarchists just because they hold a different view point but that doesn't mean I have to agree with them either.

 

[mick]

I can recall many years ago during one of my pub rants about politicians saying they should do away with the lot of them and put our Queen in charge. l also recall during the Miners strike when the Met reinforced the local police and matters started to escalate, the Queen summoned Thatcher to explain why her subjects where shown on TV fighting each other.

If we forget about the title and think about the Woman then over many years it appeared to myself that most often she put duty first and did the right thing by others and who could ask for a better legacy. Yes she enjoyed a privileged life style but i certainly did not begrudge her that because there was a big price to pay.

I used to feel angry on her behalf indeed still do when some members of her family did not display the same decency but that is a topic for another time and place. I really liked hedgehog above and hope that it proves so.

 

[Arrocuda]

If we forget about the title and think about the Woman then over many years it appeared to myself that most often she put duty first and did the right thing by others
I used to feel angry on her behalf indeed still do when some members of her family did not display the same decency

It might surprise you Mick to hear that most republicans also respect her for similar reasons which is more than can be said for the rest of her family however, it's nothing personal, it's about the system in a similar way to that which remainers and brexiteers held completely contrary positions whilst still working toward the common objectives as a country. We accept that we are in the minority whilst at the same time we also respect the democratic principles which afford us the right to disagree with the majority. You don't see demonstrations or political sabotage because it's generally accepted by republicans that the only way it can ever happen is when the people get behind it. Personally I don't believe it will happen for England in my life time but if the politicians (all parties), don't start paying the people a little more respect in this country it might just happen sooner than you think. As for Scotland and Northern Ireland it's just a matter of time.

 

[Arrocuda]

So what you are saying is that the BHA appears to be trying to be sympathetic towards the views of three quarters of the population ?
Seems a reasonable response to me. Or have I missed something here ?

My beef with the BHA isn't about them showing their respect it's the way they go about it that rattles me. Even I didn't believe for a moment that there would be any racing on Friday. It's just the total lack of professionalism in that they announce no racing on Friday (as expected), then they make another announcement that there won't be any on Saturday and Sunday either. Then they make another to say that there will be racing on Sunday, presumably due to a rebuttal by the industry on the basis of the costs already incurred, so as to allow them to move the Leger meeting to the following day. These idiots need to spare a thought for the people that actually get their hands dirty making it possible for these events to happen and the punters that support them too.

Take away the trainers and their yard staff or the punters and there would be no industry for them to preside over.

 

[markfinn]

BHA amateurish toadying - I doubt they even considered what the industry or public wanted , if owners wanted to pull their horses this weekend they have that right. You have to wonder where the BHA take their direction from - would it not have been far better to dedicate the Ledger to the Queen ( even adding ER to name in perpetuity, have the next two weeks racing meeting marked up as Queens respect meetings - issue black arm bands all round for two week - make it a dignified celebration of HER long dignified reign ( she cannot be held responsible for the rest of them although we were always told to look for leadership in the home ).
Instead of which we have the cancel culture - morbid - morkish - media reports - the same media that revels in pulling the establishment ( any establishment ) to pieces and dragging it through the dirt at every opportunity.

Before anyone asks I am a monarchist, I beleive countries need a variegated leadership , I hope the King takes a more active role in politics and fills a much needed needed role in leading the country.

 

[DannyK]

Your Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Gone But Never Forgotten

The years we've shared have been full of joy.
The memories we've made will go on and on.
You lit up our lives, our hopes, and our dreams.
You've opened our eyes to see what it all means.
So now that you're gone how can we forget;
Because you were the greatest out of all we have met.

 

[davejb]

Immediate reaction to cancel the weekend, then realised that cancelling a day of handicaps at Southwell is a bit different to cancelling the St Leger meeting. I don't think the BHA are very badly at fault here, given that racing was cancelled for the period from the monarch's death until after the funeral on previous occasions they probably assumed they'd be directed from on high to do similar - when 'on high' said that events need not be cancelled they reinstated the one meeting that would really, really cause problems if abandoned.

I do not feel personally devastated, I've had enough of my nearest and dearest shuffle into eternity that I cannot feel greatly for those I am not directly connected to, so the sight of youngish people (especially) in floods of tears is something I frankly cannot comprehend - but it is evident that a great many people do feel quite strongly and a few days of very slightly reduced social activity seems a small price to pay in respect to a lady who was probably our greatest ever monarch.

As there is very, very little actually being cancelled - at most a few football matches are being rescheduled - then I fail to see how we are being oppressed, you can still go out for a meal, go to see a film, have a few beers in the pub, sit in a cafe watching the world go by.... la Dolce Vita continues as far as I can tell.

Who else here finds riding around on trains and aircraft really a pain, who hates having to attend meetings where a bunch of people get to tell you all about something you frankly don't give a damn about while you'd rather be at home with a cuppa, a good book, and a packet of biscuits? I used to have boxes of exam papers to mark, during my 2nd career, after a full day at work I'd have the joy of going home knowing I had hours of paperwork to deal with before I could take any time for myself, same for lots of other professions I'm sure. Anyone else here find crowds a bit of a pain in the butt? I love it here when the sun comes out, but I want to go sit on the prom and relax in the sunshine, and it's full of tourists all making a racket and quite often not behaving very well. Well, I reckon that's what HM's life was like for over 70 years. I think I'll let her have a day or two where I'm not number one, after all I retired at 62, she still had another 34 years to go at that point.

Dave

 

[markfinn]

Well what a spectacle quite unbelievable , not bad for a nation written of to often - hope the new regime pushes on and influences foreign trade and homeland security.

 

[Pitmatic]

hope the new regime pushes on and influences foreign trade and homeland security.

Told by Biden in no uncertain terms that there is no chance of a US trade deal in the short or medium terms.

The number of firms exporting to the EU is also at a record low according to recently published figures.

Not sure the recently announced agreement to facilitate access to the £10 million Mongolian chicken and fish market will make up for all of this - but at least it means Truss & Co can herald the fact that we supply KFC Mongolia with their chicken, should they be struggling for positives!!!

What we really need is for someone who is willing to push for unfettered access to the pork market in China.....

 

[markfinn]

Told by Biden in no uncertain terms that there is no chance of a US trade deal in the short or medium terms.

The number of firms exporting to the EU is also at a record low according to recently published figures.

Not sure the recently announced agreement to facilitate access to the £10 million Mongolian chicken and fish market will make up for all of this - but at least it means Truss & Co can herald the fact that we supply KFC Mongolia with their chicken, should they be struggling for positives!!!

What we really need is for someone who is willing to push for unfettered access to the pork market in China.....

and yet unemployment at 3.6% - god knows how much land is left unfarmed - roads jammed all day - railways bulging at the seams - house prices still not falling - on and on ?