Sergei Gotsmanov

You are wrong in that if we were expected to be brown nosing Royalists then they would not be around. Chippy - resentful or oversensitive about being perceived as inferior. I think that is quite appropriate. The Queen, with no effective power, has overseen the economic decline of our nation - you are being delusional now.

You ignore the role that they play on the World stage representing our nation generating goodwill and hopefully contracts. You also seem to not understand that the fascination the World has with them is because they are still active in public life. People can go and see them in the flesh; they can see the changing of the guard or the Trooping of the Colour. If you think that taking their palaces and lands away from them is going to generate more for the nation because people can pay a fiver and go and visit them then you are delusional or stupid. I wouldn't worry about jug ears its the Wills and Kate you should worry about more. Anyway as it happens I think that you may well be right that when the Queen goes then the role of the Royal family will be examined. I don't think it will go just be cut down a bit. It is also likely that when she does go there will be a sentimental surge for the institution. You should be less chippy and more rational.

You prejudices are distorting your ability to argue. Finacially the Windsors more than justify themselves for what they bring to the UK brand, you should be able top recognise that. We live in a country where you can tell who you like you think the Queen is a tosser; isn't that wonderful? I think so.

You seem to have forgotton that the thread title focus's on the cost of the yacht. Our democracy functions very well as was proved by the overwhelming support in the recent referendum. If the people are happy with our system then would it not be undemocratic to change it?

The core of this thread is about money.

Not really factually wrong as Prince Charles was acting off his own back not in any legal capacity - they could tell him to get stuffed. Do you really believe that the Queen would not be sent packing if she tried to exercise the power that she has on paper or if she was not perceived to be politically neutral. In that sense her role is purely ceremonial and to act as an ambassador for the nation. She does a brilliant job at that so why get rid of her so you can have another politician. I would suggest another scenario which is very realistic. The Queen dies and their is wave of soppy national sentimentalism about the Royal family. The Coronation is watched by a global audience of however many billion as is the funeral. A million people line the streets to see the new King. My experience of politicians today is that they act in their own interests and not the nations- the side effect of the career politician that the system now encourages.

Great memories. Should have been an all time great though.

As ever, very eloquently put apart from the fact that you ignore the fact that the Queen's role is purely ceremonial - on paper she may have power but in reality if she exercised it she would be out on her ear. So what is the point of dismantling something that finacially justifys itself, is key to the UK brand and give's us a bit of identity. It sounds like you want to create a role for another slimey politician.

People simply do not like change. Change only happens when people have not got enough to eat and they blame the democratic process.

So we elect another politician. Have we not got enough of these.

I am not so sure. I think as the referendum on AV showed we British like our traditions and institutions. You could be people hating for many years to come yet Verbal.

What exactly are we electing a replacement to do?

I am not sure that you quite appreciate why most people like the Monarchy. We like the fact the no one else has one. The fact that Queen has represented this nation better than any politician or anybody and that she commands global respect. The fact that tourists come from all over the world to see a living functioning monarchy filling the nation's coffers. We love the scandals, whether its Fergie and giving toe jobs or Mike Tindal chucking dwarfs - its real life soap opera. We enjoy the reasons it gives us for a party bringing communities together. Its all rather fun and gives our country identity. All this crap about being a modern democracy, it makes no difference to our lives having the monarchy. For you its about people hating.

I feel a bit sorry for the captain. If he is guilty then I am sure the legal processes will deal with it. The witch hunt is very unpalatable.

Good on them

If there was a publicly funded project to build a flagship boat that will sail around the world entertaining the good and the great winning orders for the UK then rationally it would be well supported. Who better to represent the us than the Queen. The rest of the World love her. Whether Charlie will be qualified to make the sums add up I am not so sure.

I noticve West Ham are now ahead of us in the betting

Always amuses me to see people get worked up by something that really has no impact on their lives whatsoever. It is a complete non debate for the chippy and the stupid.

Then why do the kenyans dominate the long distance events.

A well aimed shot in its home environement is far kinder than the stress of a visit to the vet.

They were very involved in Basra supplying road side bombs and are reportedly to be very active in Afghanistan. I would argue that there are a lot of very normal Iranians as was highlighted by their protests a while back. In fact I would go as far as to suggest that the placard waving fanatics are very much in the minority.

I didn't have you down as a banker Verbal. Are you admitting the financial contribution made by the city to the rest of the country?

Well that too is totally ludicrous. It generates division and perpetuates the problem.

It is a sad reflection of our society. When Clarkeson says something stupid all the lefties get their knickers in a twist - they want more than just to call him a pratt. Diane Abbot says something stupid all of the right want more than just to call her an idiot. If somebody says something stupid then ridicule them, don't call the police.

Who cares what Dianne Abbot says. She is a politician and will be judged at the ballot box.