Monarchy - Good or Bad for Scotland?

[McBeaty]

Kings and Queens - both Scots and English - have they been (and are they) good or bad for Scotland?

...And - today - are we moving towards a Republic, or are we stuck with the English Royal family?

Just found a funny and informative article originally published in "The Scottish Journal" by Jerry Jardine, May 1999 about claimants to the Stuart throne. I didn't want to close down the computer before I'd copied and pasted:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...s_stewarts.htm

I must admit to being biased, as my perspective on history comes from a working-class/working-poor background. I don't think conditions improved for us peasants until we were revolting. I'm not keen on decisions being made for me without my input... so I'm more of a fan of democracy.
Have there actually been good kings and queens... or were some not as bad as others?

[Peteman]

I don't think that a monarchy has any place in a "modern" society. They may have been effective in the distant past, but I can't see how they can serve much of a purpose in a modern democracy.

I think that Prince William would probably be a fantastic king - the mix of his fathers regal style and his mothers first hand experience of "the world" is great - but I think if he was allowed to speak his mind, he'd probably be an anti-royalist himself.

I doubt that either Charles or William will ever become King. We'll probably have de-throned the Queen long before she dies, and if not by then, public pressure will be strong to use her death as an excuse to move on.

Here's a thought - I wonder if they'll get to keep the palaces etc? Maybe they'll be allowed to stay on if they move into servant quaters and serve in a janitoral role.

[Modern_Bard]

The history of the monarchy in the United Kingdom is varied and colorful. Events in history are completely different depending on who wrote it. You could take one instance and have a completely different story from English historians, Welshmen, and Scots, not to mention the Irish. I think that the history of the United Kingdom is the most exciting histories in the world. Monarchy has had it's shining moments, but self-rule is very important. Though the UK uses it's monarchs basically as figureheads, the matter remains. I think that Tony Blair and his generation are doing very well for the Kingdom, House of Lords be danged. (excuse my Missouri slang) I believe in an independant Scotland. However true freedom can never be obtained by human means, and it certainly can never be gained by blood. I believe in a Northern Ireland that is part of Ireland, not controlled by London. However, the IRA is completely out of bounds on the matter, and continue to be. I believe that England still cannot cope with the continual lost of thier once vast empire. I understand. But here in my own country "Manifest destiny" obliterated several indiginous tripes and destroyed the land. Sorry for my ramblings. True Freedom can only come from Jesus Christ.
Under the One True King,
The Modern Bard

I've done a few about-turns on this subject! LOL

Monarchy in its present form is a good thing for England because of the interest it generates.
I dont feel it has any meaning for Scotland because, apart from their annual trip to balmoral, there is not much international news generated from any of their visits.
The monarchy of the past has obviously been a good money spinner to the present day scottish tax payer....look at all the visitors who want to see the castles!

To talk of any of the present day royals being a fantastic king or queen...what IS the king or queen apart from a figurehead?

[andyo]

Originally posted by McBeaty:
Kings and Queens - both Scots and English - have they been (and are they) good or bad for Scotland?

...And - today - are we moving towards a Republic, or are we stuck with the English Royal family?

ME.
Unfortunately we are stuck with them just now there are to many people in Scotland that consider themselves British. Until we can get rid of religous bigotry we are stuck with the Windsors, even the SNP wont get rid of the queen as head of state "cowards".

There are many republicans, like myself, within the ranks of the SNP. However the SNP itself exists for a single purpose; the removal of Scotland from the political entity which is the United Kingdom. The SNP is basically neutral on the question of the monarchy for the very sensible and pragmatic reason that there is no point in alienating potential voters for reasons not directly connected to the independence question. It is not a matter of cowardice but one of pragmatism.

You will find that a referendum on the form an independent Scotland should take (monarchy or republic) will be held in very close proximity to the referendum on whether or not there should be an independent Scotland. Once you have a decision on whether or not Scotland should be independent, you must then ask what form the new state should take before it actually comes into being.

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The man o' independent mind,
He looks an' laughs at a' that.