# If there is monarchy in UK, and people dislike it why don't they protest against it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 29, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261 "2012-10-29T21:30:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/41 "2012-10-30T13:22:56Z")
> [@Malden\_Capell](#): > > I thought France! 😃 Me too! ---
**Author:** ![hibernicus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hibernicus/32/2802_2.png) [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/42 "2012-10-30T13:34:43Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > I think it’s not so much anti-Irish as anti those who don’t want to follow the principles of the country that they move to. Much like if I wanted to move to the Irish Republic and loudly denounce my neighbours as fools and traitors for 1916, and then scream “Anti-British feeling is alive and well!” if I got called on it. Yes, Malacandra, that’s his cover. He can easily fall back on “of course I didn’t mean _all_ Irish in Britain are hypocritical, cowardly, disloyal and potentially treasonous. Some of my best friends are Irish, I’m a quarter Irish myself, yadda yadda”. I’ve heard it all before, though thankfully less often these days. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/43 "2012-10-30T19:15:07Z")
Its not really a good idea to dislike the Monarchy, even if you have rational arguments. You’ll just be seen as an outsider, at best, or maybe just irrelevant. We have been conditioned for generations to suck up to royalty and that is not going to stop anytime soon. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/44 "2012-10-30T20:38:26Z")
> [@hibernicus](#): > > Yes, Malacandra, that’s his cover. He can easily fall back on “of course I didn’t mean _all_ Irish in Britain are hypocritical, cowardly, disloyal and potentially treasonous. Some of my best friends are Irish, I’m a quarter Irish myself, yadda yadda”. I’ve heard it all before, though thankfully less often these days. No he was spot on, and the fact that you’ve had to raise strawmen doesn’t exactly help your case. If I moved to a strict Islamic country of my own accord, then I would be a total hypocrite and coward if I whined about not being able to drink alcohol, and demanded that they change their laws to suit me. If I honestly felt that strongly about it then I should move back home. Mind you if I felt so strongly about it, I shouldn’t emigrate there in the first place. Too many Irish Nationalists want their cake and eat it. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/45 "2012-10-30T21:46:17Z")
> [@hibernicus](#): > > Yes, Malacandra, that’s his cover. He can easily fall back on “of course I didn’t mean _all_ Irish in Britain are hypocritical, cowardly, disloyal and potentially treasonous. Some of my best friends are Irish, I’m a quarter Irish myself, yadda yadda”. I’ve heard it all before, though thankfully less often these days. Much anti-Irish sentiment in Japan, is there? And in context of those who, y’know, want to preach republicanism in someone else’s country rather than stay in their own Republic, I think it’s not so much a case of “easily fall back on” as “what he meant in the first place”, but hey. ---
**Author:** ![MrBerious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MrBerious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrBerious)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/46 "2012-10-31T00:19:00Z")
There is no big group of Irish immigrants who pretend to integrate but preach hate to their kids in private(one wonders how the fuck he’d know what goes on behind closed doors anyway). To suggest otherwise is the ravings of a bigoted loon. ---
**Author:** ![Corcaigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Corcaigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corcaigh)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/47 "2012-10-31T00:33:30Z")
> [@Lust4Life](#): > > I don’t know where you got the idea that our Queen was unpopular, you’d be a very brave man to slag her off anywhere in the U.K. regardles of the peoples opinions politically, whether to the left or right. > > Yes we do get young Walter Mittys who call themselves Anarchists/Workers party/communists etc and dress up in combat jackets etc,usually to try and impress members of the opposite sex. > (Who might not notice that they’re acne riddled nerds) > > We also get immigants from our nearest Republican neighbour (Quite a few actually)who are prepared to drop their political ideals in exchange for work and a place to live. > > But who are steadfastly anti British, and anti Monarchy, an bring up their kids (in England)to follow their opinions. > > Hypocricy and cowardice apparently not being in their vocabulary. > > But that apart, we don’t just tolerate our monarchy, we are active and enthusiastic supporters of them. > > And dare I say it, love our Queen to death. > > (Not in the biblical sense of course) > > I for one would take up arms if ever there was any attempt to remove the monarchy. > > And I don’t think that I would I would be on my own. dafuq did I just read? > [@Cinnamon\_Imp](#): > > Ha, I assumed he was talking about America! > > Sorry for forgetting about you, Ireland 🙂 How could you? **sobs** after we giving ye’s Guinness and Riverdance and Colin Farrell/Michael Fassbender **howls inconsolably** ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/48 "2012-10-31T05:31:29Z")
_pats **Corcaigh** _ By always forgetting that the square just to the NE of you guys, in your island, and which has a land border with you guys is part of the United Kingdom of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, the rock of Gibraltar (and parts attached) et al. _runs from the pissed off British horde_ (I’d thought France too - does “I’m currently in France, within spitting distance of the Chunnel” count as an excuse) ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/49 "2012-10-31T10:13:24Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > in your island Who is the “you” in “your island”? ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/50 "2012-10-31T10:19:36Z")
> [@casdave](#): > > Its not really a good idea to dislike the Monarchy, even if you have rational arguments. > > You’ll just be seen as an outsider, at best, or maybe just irrelevant. > > We have been conditioned for generations to suck up to royalty and that is not going to stop anytime soon. Not my experience at all. Whenever it comes up among friends, even my Granny’s friends (which it does regularly), we all agree that it’s a silly tradition and an outdated institution. And then someone says: “but the Queen is such a nice lady”, and everyone agrees that, however outdated it is, it does work for now and we’re all pretty happy with the way things are. So carry on, Queenie! I don’t think they’re conditioned into anything, everyone I know is perfectly capable of rationally discussing the reasons that a monarchy is an outdated institution. Now, if you were to say outright nasty things about the Queen, or Diana, I can see how that would not be appreciated. But just a discussion about the relevance of the royal family, or having a monarchy in general is never a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/51 "2012-10-31T10:22:38Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > _pats **Corcaigh** _ By always forgetting that the square just to the NE of you guys, in your island, and which has a land border with you guys is part of the United Kingdom of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, the rock of Gibraltar (and parts attached) et al. > > _runs from the pissed off British horde_ > > (I’d thought France too - does “I’m currently in France, within spitting distance of the Chunnel” count as an excuse) Are you talking of Rockall, the last addition to the British empire and technically part of Inverness-shire? ---
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/52 "2012-10-31T11:48:01Z")
> [@gracer](#): > > Not my experience at all. Whenever it comes up among friends, even my Granny’s friends (which it does regularly), we all agree that it’s a silly tradition and an outdated institution. And then someone says: “but the Queen is such a nice lady”, and everyone agrees that, however outdated it is, it does work for now and we’re all pretty happy with the way things are. So carry on, Queenie! > > I don’t think they’re conditioned into anything, everyone I know is perfectly capable of rationally discussing the reasons that a monarchy is an outdated institution. > > Now, if you were to say outright nasty things about the Queen, or Diana, I can see how that would not be appreciated. But just a discussion about the relevance of the royal family, or having a monarchy in general is never a problem. My experience too. My personal view is that the monarchy remains a relevant and up-to-date institution, but we’re a free country and I don’t hold the monarchy to be something sacred and beyond reproach. I enjoy discussing it with people. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/53 "2012-10-31T11:48:21Z")
> [@Lust4Life](#): > > I don’t know where you got the idea that our Queen was unpopular, **you’d be a very brave man to slag her off anywhere in the U.K.** regardles of the peoples opinions politically, whether to the left or right. That isn’t accurate at all. Do you not remember [Spitting Image](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjz1wOTz6GU) for example, and how many millions of viewers it got? While she has popular support, only a minority of brits view the queen with reverence. ---
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/54 "2012-10-31T11:49:17Z")
> [@Simple\_Linctus](#): > > Are you talking of Rockall, the last addition to the British empire and technically part of Inverness-shire? I understand the population cannot vote, as they’re all seagulls… ---
**Author:** ![hibernicus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hibernicus/32/2802_2.png) [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/55 "2012-10-31T12:33:58Z")
> [@Corcaigh](#): > > How could you? **sobs** after we giving ye’s Guinness and Riverdance and Colin Farrell/Michael Fassbender **howls inconsolably** I thought the Americans gave us Riverdance? > [@Nava](#): > > _pats **Corcaigh** _ By always forgetting that the square just to the NE of you guys, in your island, and which has a land border with you guys is part of the United Kingdom of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, [del]the Channel Islands[/del], [del]the Isle of Man[/del], [del]the rock of Gibraltar (and parts attached)[/del] et al. Fixed that for you! 😛 > [@Pushkin](#): > > Who is the “you” in “your island”? This thread just keeps getting better! ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/56 "2012-10-31T12:40:21Z")
> [@Corcaigh](#): > > How could you? **sobs** after we giving ye’s Guinness and Riverdance and Colin Farrell/Michael Fassbender **howls inconsolably** The answer’s in the question obviously - I’ve had too much o’ the black stuff and drowned my brain cells 😉 (oh, and Magners. Had way too much of that too. You can keep the Poitin’ though) > [@Nava](#): > > _pats **Corcaigh** _ By always forgetting that the square just to the NE of you guys, in your island, and which has a land border with you guys is part of the United Kingdom of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, the rock of Gibraltar (and parts attached) et al. > > _runs from the pissed off British horde_ Eh, doesn’t bother me, they can have that square back as far as I’m concerned. Apparently some of the the ‘Norn Iron’ [1] locals have a different opinion on it, mind… > [@gracer](#): > > Not my experience at all. Whenever it comes up among friends, even my Granny’s friends (which it does regularly), we all agree that it’s a silly tradition and an outdated institution. And then someone says: “but the Queen is such a nice lady”, and everyone agrees that, however outdated it is, it does work for now and we’re all pretty happy with the way things are. So carry on, Queenie! > > I don’t think they’re conditioned into anything, everyone I know is perfectly capable of rationally discussing the reasons that a monarchy is an outdated institution. > > Now, if you were to say outright nasty things about the Queen, or Diana, I can see how that would not be appreciated. But just a discussion about the relevance of the royal family, or having a monarchy in general is never a problem. Most of my pals are always up for a Di slagging session, but otherwise, yup, this. We all agree it’s a bit silly, but hey, the tourists like it, and it’s an excuse for a party every so often! [1] I’m reliably informed that this is how it’s pronounced. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/57 "2012-10-31T14:59:44Z")
> [@Cinnamon\_Imp](#): > > Apparently some of the the ‘Norn Iron’ [1] locals have a different opinion on it, mind… Probably those enjoying the influence of the NHS, the BBC, the welfare state, lesser reach of the Catholic church, the better roads etc\*. I’d be happy with a united Ireland, if someone could explain what I (apparently an Irish Catholic) would get out of it. \*I know there’s fresh tarmac on the roads for some time now in the Republic, but sign posting remains awful. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/58 "2012-10-31T15:19:51Z")
> [@MrBerious](#): > > There is no big group of Irish immigrants who pretend to integrate but preach hate to their kids in private(one wonders how the fuck he’d know what goes on behind closed doors anyway). To suggest otherwise is the ravings of a bigoted loon. Ah more strawmen I see. Let me know when you’ve some sort of factual argument. I shan’t be holding my breath on that one. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/59 "2012-10-31T20:14:53Z")
> [@Malden\_Capell](#): > > I think the problem with assessing Cromwell’s record is that people impose modern values on his time: Cromwell and Parliament were not fighting for democracy in any way, shape or form - they were fighting for the supremacy of Parliament. > > I don’t have much sympathy for Cromwell, but when the Army (which looked up to him) radicalised, purged Parliament and broke the constitution, Cromwell kind of got swept up in it. I don’t think he set out to be a tyrant, but after they had killed the King, they hadn’t really thought of what to do next, and so inevitably he became a tyrant, particularly as killing the King was unpopular with the country. Tell that to the Irish. ---
**Author:** ![Simple\_Linctus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261/60 "2012-10-31T21:00:51Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Tell that to the Irish. You’ve got the wrong guy Guin. The official ambassador of British dopers to the Irish is Lust4Life, not Mr. Capell. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261.md?page=4)