I get the historical significance of the Royal family and from a constitutional point of view there are some benefits. However it needs to be drastically scaled back.
Considering the Tories are so keen to cut back state spending it's funny how they don't see a need for cuts and austerity in this state owned enterprise but have no problem cutting the budgets of the NHS, Police, Education and other infrastructure like the roads and railways.
This deserves to be repeated until people stop saying 'oh they only cost us 75p'. Right load of cobblers.
Not to mention the oft repeated mantra that 'they're good for tourism'. Another load of rubbish. Tourists come for our history, not to take a gander at a lesser royal. How many of Her Maj's loyal subjects have ever seen her in the flesh? Bet it's a damn sight less than have been on a day trip to an ancestral home.
So the royal family costs the UK tax payer a grand total of £6 per annum?
Buckingham Place - the Queen and DoE live there, the Yorks and Wessexes use it as an address but do not live there . the Duke of York lives at Royal Lodge for which he paid £1 million for a lease , he was given a reprieve of the other £2.5 million as long as he paid the £7.5 million needed to bring it back to a standard agreed with English Heritage. Edward a £4.5 million lease for Bagshot Park, all lease money paid to the Treasury.
Clarence House - funded by Charles via Duchy of Cornwall not taxpayer
KP - Cambridges rent £ 200,000 per year , Kents £120,000 per year , Harry not sure.
Princess Anne - lives at Gatcomb Park and uses an apartment at St James Palace if on official business.
Windsor, used for official functions not a permanent residence.
Holyrood - used for official business one week of the year for the Queen when she carries out business in Scotland, the rest of the time open to the public and used for official entertaining etc by Scottish parliament.
Hillsborough - owned by British Government it is used by government of the UK and NI for guests , functions etc .
Expensive gifts must be registered and are owned by the Crown, just as the PM has to declare gifts and leaves them at Downing Street if and when they leave.
So should everybody who works in public sector, like myself, do you know how often they do declare?
And who is Princess Alexandra?
(granted Im not a royalist) but the Queen is alright
Comments
Considering the Tories are so keen to cut back state spending it's funny how they don't see a need for cuts and austerity in this state owned enterprise but have no problem cutting the budgets of the NHS, Police, Education and other infrastructure like the roads and railways.
So the royal family costs the UK tax payer a grand total of £6 per annum?
So should everybody who works in public sector, like myself, do you know how often they do declare?
And who is Princess Alexandra?
(granted Im not a royalist) but the Queen is alright