Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
Mat Morrisroe

GET UPDATES FROM Mat Morrisroe
 

This Jubilee, Spare a Thought for the Republicans

Posted: 01/06/2012 00:00

"We all have fond memories of 60 years of our Queen," Dermot Murnaghan smarms through my TV screen inaccurately. After retrieving whichever inanimate object now lies below the screen having found itself being hurled along with a range of colourful language towards the inane news man's grinning bonce, I reflect on what has been an annoying few months for me and millions of other Britons.

You see, we don't all have fond memories, some of us don't have fond memories at all. Depending on which poll you read anywhere between 20 and 40% of the British public are republican, for many of those people the residing memory of 60 years of the Queen is basically that for 60 years we've had an unelected Head of State

I mean, in what other than 'the top job' would you select the ideal candidate for no other reason than being the first born in a certain family who didn't happen to have any brothers and whose actually proper Nazi uncle just happened to fancy a woman who had been married before?

Putting aside the clear absurdity of our system, my main problem with monarchy is that it is a symbol, nay the very apex of the unfairness that blights our society. When discussing this recently a friend chided that it's "not a symbol of anything, it's just a party for a nice old woman". However the whole point of monarchy is its symbols, the crown, the thrown, referring to what is just a human being as 'her majesty', genuflecting, throwing a massive expensive party that will slow our economy even further, all of these things are of course important symbols. So if symbols can be used to signify monarchy's place in society then surely monarchy is a symbol in itself.

The hereditary principle blights our nation. Kids lucky enough to be born into wealthy families don't just get the best jobs, the best chances, but they also on average live longer. For me the Queen is a symbol of this unfairness, yes she's lasted 60 years in her job but how many millions of her subjects have literally worked themselves to death because what they do is actually hard work? This is why when we live in hard times I find it so frustrating that people will happily chomp into their cake without Lizzie even having to say "let them eat" it.

The principle of monarchy is inherently wrong, unfair and absurd and this is why I won't be partying this weekend, I'm sure many will call it being obtuse, I'd probably more charitably call it principled (well I would). I'll also suggest that for a figure of "x people showed their support" will be used by monarchists to show support for years. However what galls me most isn't the jubilee, the mindless bloody flag waving, the people happily debasing themselves or even the monarchy itself, it's those who complain about republicans, like we're not putting up with enough already.

Put yourself in my shoes. The reason I abhor racism, homophobia, misogyny, transphobia and well, pretty much any prejudice going is because I believe with all of my heart that all are born equal. Whether you agree with me or not, to me this Jubilee is a party that celebrates and condones the fact that we are not all born equal, a party that celebrates saying that this tiny group of people are better than us. Well monarchy, whilst perhaps not as dangerous practically, is as ridiculous and offensive as any other prejudice and if you value the right to form an opinion, to have ideals, then surely you can understand and accept the feelings this jubilee engenders and support the right of republicans to express themselves and for a group that comprises millions of Britons to be catered for by the British media.

Even for the most staunchly monarchist amongst you, surely you can accept that no institution or human being is above criticism, yet can you point to a single television programme, amongst the blanket coverage across all channels, that has been even the remotest bit critical of the Queen or indeed or the principle of monarchy itself? Whilst the BBC may have broadcast Andrew Marr's masterpiece of royal proctological hygiene, a programme so massively sycophantic they're facing legal action, has there been one critical show? Has there even been a balanced one showing good and bad things that have happened during 60 years in the job? Are we expected to believe Liz is perfect? Well Abdul 'Michael X' Malik may not agree. For a while back there neither indeed would Anthony Eden or supporters of Rab Butler and indeed the Spencer family haven't always been massive fans. No, no human is perfect and Liz is only human.

And here's the thing, the thing that is making it so difficult is that whilst I detest the idea of monarchy, whilst I don't want to celebrate the jubilee, it's entirely unavoidable. For those of my friends who have patiently sat through my complaints I can only assure them I've had to sit through hundreds more hours and reams upon reams of unabashed sycophancy. I can't just hide away, it's impossible and even if I could, why should I have to? Then to add insult to injury, republicans are told that unless they go along with it all entire towns are out of bounds to them and indeed, we can't even have a joke at the Queen's expense to let off a bit of steam without censorship, just ask Cassette Boy who had one of their brilliant splice edit creations taken down on YouTube as the topic was Liz.

So no, I won't be partying this weekend. That's not to say I'm a party pooper as some who believe the Queen is magic have labelled republicans, or that I'm some dowdy Roundhead as the BBC would have you believe, my challenge to those people is to keep up with me on an evening out and then call me a party pooper. Neither is it to say there aren't some elements of patriotism which I think can be quite healthy. However, if I'm going to be patriotic at all I'd like it to be about you lot, the British people, the hotch-potch bunch that manages to do such great things and is, by and large a liberal and accepting lot.

I don't need to big up a billionaire to feel British and I'm pretty sure someone who pays someone to soften up her shoes doesn't need me to big her up either. If anything Ms. Windsor's a distraction from what we should be patriotic about, great British people and great British institutions. I'd happily throw street parties for many great Britons such as Alan Turing or someone like the Pankhursts, and how's about this, the NHS is 65 next year, let's throw it, and those millions of people who have saved and improved countless lives, a massive celebration in 2013?

However in the meantime, it's bad enough putting up with this jubilee without being told to we're bloody killjoys as well. It's bad enough not wanting to eat Antionettian cake without being told to shut our cake-holes too. So please, I implore you, if you see a republican looking grumpy over the weekend don't hate them or berate them, they do after all think you're just as good as your Queen, just give them a hug*, value a Britain that's supposed to hold many different beliefs and political views dear, then tell them this horrible time will all be over soon.

(*ask permission before hugging, I'm quite discerning regarding who I hug)

 

Follow Mat Morrisroe on Twitter: www.twitter.com/brndrmnc

FOLLOW UK POLITICS
"We all have fond memories of 60 years of our Queen," Dermot Murnaghan smarms through my TV screen inaccurately. After retrieving whichever inanimate object now lies below the screen having found itse...
"We all have fond memories of 60 years of our Queen," Dermot Murnaghan smarms through my TV screen inaccurately. After retrieving whichever inanimate object now lies below the screen having found itse...
 
 
  • Comments
  • 185
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Bloggers
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2 3 4  Next ›  Last »  (4 total)
15:16 on 06/06/2012
A Typo error--replace "dangerous and" with " than"
15:11 on 06/06/2012
I would like to suggest that the Huffington Post includes the date and time, together with boxes to like or dislike, as they do on Facebook.

This gives the Huffington Post readers a gauge of the opinions expressed.

As a post for anyone wanting to make more dangerous and abbreviated comment, like a considered statement, 500 words would facilitate such better than the existing 250 words.
14:54 on 06/06/2012
I had 7 uncles, 6 aunts and my mother born near Kenmare County Kerry before 1921, when partitioning was imposed by the Irish and British governments without a single vote being cast. They were very proud to be British subjects, as most Republicans were and all very hurt when they found they had been excluded from their allegiance to King George the VI, without a single vote being cast.

This, however, did not stop some of my uncles and aunts joining our forces to win WWII.
One of my uncles Stephen Sweeney went to America to seek work when little was available in the Republic. He was conscripted into the 15th and later the 8th USAF to fly in the Flying Fortress bombers initially over Italy and later he was transferred to the 8th American army, air force to fly over France and Germany.

He took his puppy – found beagle puppy with him on every mission. He was a radio operator and Gunnar on the Screaming Eagle that had an international crew of one member from 10 countries that supported us. He completed 46 out of the 50 permitted missions when he was transferred to the 8th USAF in England. His flying record was lost, and without any complaint, He completed a further 50 missions.
14:53 on 06/06/2012
The most amazing aspect was that neither himself or Adolf were ever injured and gunners were prime targets on these aircrafts, with deaths and serious injuries commonplace on their missions throughout the day and the night.

Whenever a pilot was killed or injured, the rest of the crew asked Stephen to fly them back home to safety. He was not licensed to fly the aircraft but he did on several occasions bring them back home. On one of the last return journeys, all of the other 9 members of the crew were either dead or injured and he brought them all back safely to England, having to navigate himself, perhaps with the power of God in his thoughts!
Adolf went AOL regularly and once Stephen got his officer to stop the train, carrying service personnel. Thirty minutes later Adolf was found. On another he was lost for six weeks and Stephen offered a $100 reward in 1944 that was an amazing amount of Stephen’s pay. But he gladly paid it to his finder and the two war hero buddies were reunited again!

I believe his exploits are film material better than the Memphis Belle!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100133/

This ref to the Screaming Eagle B 17 Flying Fortress Bomber, I just found, may be the aircraft he kept safe!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/384th_Air_Expeditionary_Group
14:47 on 06/06/2012
I think many who have had the patience to read this post would consider my uncle a hero of heroes. He wrote a book which I've yet to find. I was sent a photograph of him in the Yankee magazine, of the USAF dated 20th January 1944 and I have a tape recording of Jim Mourne, who knew Stephen, who gave the details to my cousins in Kenmare Co Kerry.

Apparently he was the only flying Fortress crew member that completed 96 missions and one can imagine someone looked after him and his puppy Adolf.

When he returned back to the Houston estate as a chauffeur he had difficulties in coming to terms with all what happened and he had considerable headaches. It was put down to the continuous extreme noise in the Screaming Eagle inside his gun turret and nothing could be done for him after the war. When he died, a post-mortem found a massive brain tumour. Some reward for doing more than most to contribute to giving the rest of the United Kingdom the freedom that we all enjoy today. We owe uncle Stephen/Steven, many thanks.

I am certain that if the Republic were given an opportunity to be brought back to a new Great Britain and have their allegiance restored to an Majesty Queen Elizabeth, they would run to the ballot boxes that they were denied in 1921.
12:05 on 06/06/2012
I had 7 uncles, 6 aunts and my mother born near Kenmare County Kerry before 1921, when partitioning was imposed by the Irish and British governments without a single vote being cast. They were very proud to be British subjects, as most Republicans were and all very hurt when they found they had been excluded from their allegiance to King George the VI, without a single vote being cast.

This, however, did not stop some of my uncles and aunts joining our forces to win WWII.

One of my uncles Stephen Sweeney went to America to seek work when little was available in the Republic. He was conscripted into the 15th and later the 8th USAF to fly in the Flying Fortress bombers initially over Italy and later he was transferred to the 8th American army, air force to fly over France and Germany.

He took his puppy – found beagle puppy with him on every mission. He was a radio operator and Gunnar on the Screaming Eagle that had an international crew of one member from 10 countries that supported us. He completed 46 out of the 50 permitted missions when he was transferred to the 8th USAF in England. His flying record was lost, and without any complaint, He completed a further 50 missions.
12:03 on 06/06/2012
The most amazing aspect was that neither himself or Adolf were ever injured and gunners were prime targets on these aircrafts, with deaths and serious injuries commonplace on their missions day and throughout the night.

Whenever a pilot was killed or injured the rest of the crew asked Stephen to fly them back home to safety. He was not licensed to fly the aircraft but he did on several occasions bring them back home. On one of the last return journeys, all of the other 9 members of the crew were either dead or injured and he brought them all back safely to England, having to navigate himself, perhaps with the power of God in his thoughts!

Adolf went AOL regularly and once Stephen got his officer to stop the train, carrying service personnel. Thirty minutes later Adolf was found. On another he was lost for six weeks and Stephen offered a $100 reward in 1944 that was an amazing amount of Stephen’s pay. But he gladly paid it to his finder and the two war hero buddies were reunited again!

I believe his exploits are film material better than the Memphis Belle!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100133/

This ref to the Screaming Eagle B 17 Flying Fortress Bomber, I just found, may be the aircraft he kept safe!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/384th_Air_Expeditionary_Group
08:48 on 06/06/2012
Many thanks. I hope your readers would appreciate my considered thoughts.
08:44 on 06/06/2012
Maybe Her Majesty feels Her Kingdom is being broken up, without her consent or her peoples, who never voted as the whole United Kingdom. It would seem the breakup of Great Britain began with the partitioning of Ireland in 1921 without a vote being cast as the British and Irish Governments decided for the people and imposed it on Ireland ! Was that democracy in action?
Has Tony Blair followed repeated the same formula by selectively giving three of the four UK countries, the choice of choosing their own form of government but not England? Was that democracy in action?
Partitioning was imposed in 1921, as a result of fellow Christians, with more beliefs that united them than the differences that divided them, killing each other in God’s name. They even disagree today over the last sentence of the Lord’s prayer
“For thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, forever and ever, amen.”
It is a very uplifting ending to a simple salutation to God, known in most languages throughout the World.
It also appears directly after the Lord’s prayer in the Catholic mass.
That is the level of unimportant detail co-Christians killed each other over! Can anyone tell me from any Christian perspective, what, why and when their God asked them to kill each other, while clerics held their breaths?
08:37 on 06/06/2012
6. Has Her Majesty’s greatest gift to all of us been her sincere love and humility? She is never judgemental in public and I can recall only one occasion when she spoke out and was totally ignored by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair (1997-2007) . It was in 2001 when we had the extensive foot and mouth disease, we were told by MAFF and later DEFRA, it threatened and spread among all hoofed animals! Her Majesty, being a great lover of horses, spoke out that we ought to suspend all international horseracing until the risk was known or addressed. She was concerned that expensive racing stock from abroad could become infected and possibly take it back to their countries to spread it further resulting in outstanding racing stocked being culled.

7. The British Horse Racing Authority and other bodies ignored her advice see their report at the time of the outbreak;-
http://www.britishhorseracing.com/images/inside_horseracing/media/2002_Annual_Report.pdf

It makes no mention of FMD but focuses on profits and financial gains overseen by their solicitors and horse welfare is ignored!

8. Other organisations totally ignored her wishes, as did all of the veterinary groups who could not state that horses were not at risk of catching and spreading FMD. I cannot remember her making any such further public concerns after this occasion.
08:35 on 06/06/2012
9. It appears the establishment do not take into account any wishes of individuals of the Royal family, as a matter of the principle that they could not possibly know what they are talking about. Prince Charles was a case in point, when he rightly criticised, in my view, the clashing architecture, built alongside the traditional London scenes, such its Wren designed-St Pauls Cathedral dwarfed by sky towers. The British library was another example he quoted, slab-like on the outside. I want to hear more of his views, as our future King, as I cannot fault his reasoning.

10. Her Majesty is asked to sign her authority to the actions of her government. This not only includes the formation of a new government but also if that government decides to initiate war. Presumably she trusts such Prime Ministers that the legal basis upon such they ask her to sign the “Orders” will be legal by any binding International law or any such Treaty that her United Kingdom had ratified! But as we all now know, she was lied to on the Iraq war by Tony Blair when he also lied to his own government, electorate and the rest of the world. However he stated God was behind his actions and sought refuge in the Catholic Church. His confessions would be iconic!
08:28 on 06/06/2012
11. The Attorney General, Lord Peter Goldsmith, declared the war illegal then changed his mind after Blair informed him he was going to review the judiciary and his post would be redundant. So Goldsmith suddenly changed his mind in a simplistic view couched in as much legalise language he could invoke, to hide his contrived reasoning and stated the war was essentially legal. He overlooked one minor point that the UN Charter has no mandate to initiate war, only to deploy other Countries forces to protect and defend countries under attack. So any US/UK Resolution to authorize initiating a War against Iraq who never threatened us could never be passed, as the more informed intelligent Permanent Security Council members knew. Further Amnesty International estimated over 98,000 Iraqis were slaughtered illegally by the combined war rampage bombing of Bagdad, way more than the further lies of 10,000 they stated.

12. Yet our entire Legal system from the highest quarter, vested in the House of Lords, keeps quiet!

13. I think our Queen’s radiant smile hides Her disgust of Her UK’s Governments’ actions in Her name but she feels too silenced to speak her mind!
20:04 on 05/06/2012
Most people who do go to work retire at 65 or earlier . The Queen has attended functions i'm sure she could have well done without and stayed in with her feet up. But she's attended these functions that are mostly penned in by the government of the day so as to uphold her duties and serve her country.How many people would like to go here ,go there , go some where else , when they'd really like to stay home or go some where of their choice.Okay she lives in luxury , but she is still a human being and still has feelings like the rest of us. Would any one like to be told where to go , and when, when they just don't feel up to it.I take my hat off to her. How many 86 year old women would go through all the hours of her jubilee , a good deal of it standing. She didn't retire at 65 or earlier. Every one is entitled to their opinion , this is mine.
19:55 on 06/06/2012
That is fine, but to say that attending a few functions each week represents anything like the kind of hard work put in by literally millions of Britons more deserving seems a bit off to me. Good for her for her longevity, but let's spare more of a thought for the millions of people who have had their longevity cut short by genuine hard word during her time.

There are many pensioners living in poverty who concern me much, much more.
19:44 on 05/06/2012
If i had the choice of an unelected head of state or an unelected government i think i'd stick with the Queen. She brings a lot to the people who love her and no harm at all to those who don't.
19:56 on 06/06/2012
Basically given the choice you'd reject democracy. Right-ho
21:15 on 06/06/2012
A democracy is an elected government numbnut . The queen wasn't elected and neither was this government . They are only in power by uniting 2 parties . You just aren't as smart as you think you are . Like i said out of the 2 unelected i'd choose the queen over this bunch . You didn't read it properly or else you're thick
16:59 on 05/06/2012
(cont...) So the advantage to having a President is we can elect him. Woop-de-doo! We always do such a good job of electing the right people, don't we? And we'll have the cost of drafting the codified constitution, funding him/her and his entourage without the use of the Crown Estates (which currently meet the cost of a significant amount of what we spend on the Royal Family), extra elections. We'll have the misery of yet more politicians campaigning in our faces and making deals with the press and business magnates of the country for support.

Or we can retain our Monarchy. Who serve us well, cost us comparatively little (when compared to a Presidency) and enable us to be proud to be British, whilst still having a totally democratically elected government who make day-to-day decisions.

I don't see how you can hesitate to choose the latter, personally....