Up to date

After a few months of falling behind, this post now brings me up to date.

The last week has been dominated by the death of the Queen. I have previously written about the Monacrcy and put the Utopian manifesto relating to the Monarchy online.

When I was younger I was a republican. As I have got older I have become a Monarchist.

The biggest block for me in abolishing the Monarchy is what we'd replace it with. I cannot stand the thought of another layer of politicians feathering their nest.

I can also say that no matter how good any President is, I cannot imagine being too bothered if they die, but with a Monarcy, this week has shown, that there is a difference.

Also, the history, the pomp and pageantry, it's facinating, I enjoy it. It's strange at times, but it's interesting. Hearing someone being proclaimed King, just as they would have been a couple of hundre years ago is strangely good.

Some strange facts I have discovered this week.

The bees kept by the Queen are told, in a whisper, that she has died and that there is a new King. They are respectually asked to respect the change in Monarch and continue to produce honey.

The Royal Standard does not contain Wales as it's a Principality already.

I am still concerned about who owns all the swans.

I was in London on the day after the Queen died. Seeing the royal standard flying at full mast over Buckingham Palace was strange. It shows continuity of the Monarchy, the Queen is dead, long live the King. Yes there was no election, but it's not like rlections create perfection anyway.

When you see Parliament in session the sceptre rests on the table. Signifying that they have authority from the Monarch to rule over the Kingdom. Then as the coffin sat in Westminster Hall a sceptre rested on top of the coffin with the Orb. Symbols of power in the U.K.

And the crown on top of the coffin is a strong image. The person has gone, but our loyalty as a nation is to the crown. There may be a different person underneath the crown, but it's symbolism remains unchanged.

The Monarchy isn't perfect. I do think that as the institution at the heart of British institutions it needs to address and reconcile its historical role in the empire and in slavery. It would be good if it could lead by example in its approach to modern racism so that other institutions might also try and eradicate the structural racism that exists. Although i have to say that those voices I have heard talking about colonialism, empire and reparations this week seem to me to be of poor timing to say the least.

I think it's also sad that Megan cannot be brought back into active royal duty to give the family a splash of diversity.

But the point of the Monarchy is that it's not a person. It's a symbol or the state, and personally I'm fine with it as our system for head of state.