The problem with using the word "Britain" is that it refers to the British Isles, which includes the independent country of the Republic of Ireland. I wouldn't be against getting rid of the Union completely, but I would be against the continuation of hereditary privilege.

(May 29, 2012 at 8:30 am)LastPoet Wrote: Why kingdoms and not a republic?

Well we've got both a democratic government and a constitutional monarchy. I'm fine with the way it is at the moment.
Whether it should be a republic or remain the way it is, I'm not sure which way I lean at this point.

Democratic government is irrelevant if the monarch can simply dissolve it on a whim (which they are fully capable of doing). Not only is the monarch an inherently unfair institution (being limited to one family), the monarch is also head of the Church of England, thereby enforcing a national religion of Christianity in a country that is becoming less and less religious. A freedom of information request nearly ten years ago shed light on just how much power the monarch actually has:

Domestic Affairs

The appointment and dismissal of ministers;
The summoning, prorogation and dissolution of Parliament;
Royal assent to bills;
The appointment and regulation of the civil service;
The commissioning of officers in the armed forces;
Directing the disposition of the armed forces in the UK;
Appointment of Queen's Counsel;
Issue and withdrawal of passports;
Prerogative of mercy. (Used to apply in capital punishment cases. Still used, eg to remedy errors in sentence calculation)
Granting honours;
Creation of corporations by Charter;

Foreign Affairs

The making of treaties;
Declaration of war;
Deployment of armed forces overseas;
Recognition of foreign states;
Accreditation and reception of diplomats.

I don't know about you, but I think that is a ridiculous amount. I wouldn't entrust any single one of those powers to one specific person, even if they were elected. Better to abolish the monarchy and spread the powers around various levels of government.

They do have too much power. That is something to deal with. If I had to choose between a republic and the monarchy, it would have to be a republic. I didn't know the monarchy had so much power. That is worrying....

(May 26, 2012 at 10:35 am)downbeatplumb Wrote: If they do go how long until they try and invade? you cant trust them scots.

If they come pouring into London painted blue you're done for.

Like I said before. Let the scottish bastards pay for their own bloody car parks.

(May 29, 2012 at 9:57 am)Napoleon Wrote: Like I said before. Let the scottish bastards pay for their own bloody car parks.

Explanation requested for insider-joke.

(May 29, 2012 at 10:00 am)whateverist Wrote: Explanation requested for insider-joke.

No insider joke. English tax payers pay for scottish car parks. And their university fees. And more no doubt.

(May 29, 2012 at 10:06 am)Napoleon Wrote:

(May 29, 2012 at 10:00 am)whateverist Wrote: Explanation requested for insider-joke.

No insider joke. English tax payers pay for scottish car parks. And their university fees. And more no doubt.

http://www.voteenglish.org/english-taxes...erity.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/uni...tland.html

The sooner they pull out the better for us.

Here's another little linky - http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/pol...-1-2141877
England wants Scotland to go. Apparently more and more English want Scotland to leave the union.

Yes, other than a load of Scottish people wanting independence, the main reason I support it is for economic reasons.