TO read that the Westminster government intends to bail out the Queen, one of the richest individuals on earth, is both alarming and utterly repugnant. At a time when we are plunging towards the worst recession for a generation with multiple redundancies, struggling families and a proliferation of food banks, together with the Chancellor’s recent “I cannot save every business and job” statement, it is morally bankrupt to award a multi-billionaire even more cash funded by the taxpaying public.
The very existence of a royal family in 21st-century British society perpetuates the legitimacy of inequality, which is manifested in areas like private education, the absurd honours system and an Orwellian idea highlighted during this pandemic that some people appear to be more equal than others.
READ MORE: Taxpayers to bailout Queen after investments plummet during coronavirus crisis
With the economic uncertainties and constitutional disorientation fuelled by Brexit and the virus, together with the re-emergence of a pugnacious and reckless form of English nationalism, it is clear to many that an unthinking acceptance of, or deference to, the institution of the monarchy can no longer be tolerated.
I have long struggled to find any argument in favour of retaining the monarchy and believe that the royal family are an embarrassing and expensive burden to modern British society. Tourism of a historic nature would continue to flourish without them, as it does in the republic of France.
Our present-day monarchy masquerades as historical tradition but in truth is a business enterprise which owes its favoured status to the long-suffering British taxpayer. The cost of maintaining “the Firm” is wholly unacceptable amidst a rise in real poverty with people trying to cope on limited benefits, low pensions and zero-hour contracts. Figures released by Buckingham Palace recently inform us that the price of having a monarchy last year rose by approximately 44% ,meaning that £67 million was lavished on private jets, trains, trips abroad, refurbishment of ostentatious homes and palaces and on literally thousands of camp followers.
The present Conservative government, who have carried out the worst case of self- harm in British history by plunging us into the Brexit morass, are largely a product of Oxbridge privilege and birthright entitlement that is enabled by the very existence of a royal family and institutionalised inequality. The monarchy represents the greatest hurdle to achieving meritocracy in the UK. In a society where funding for health and education will inevitably fall victim to recession and there are increasing concerns with homelessness and material privation, the monarchy is an immoral, injudicious and scandalous waste of time and money.
The actress Helen Mirren, who starred as the queen herself in the eponymous movie was quoted as saying: “I loathe the British class system, and the royal family are the apex of the British class system.” The conversation to establish an independent Scottish republic should begin now.
Owen Kelly
Stirling
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