Her Majesty is kicking arse

[bob10]

Good on her, she's a good old stick, Bob ;)


BBC News - Cameron and Clegg promise 'bold' final Queen's Speech (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-27683240)

[Ausfree]

She must have changed her advisors over the last ten years or so. Her Maj. seems more human and less "distant and toffy" now.:)

[bob10]

She must have changed her advisors over the last ten years or so. Her Maj. seems more human and less "distant and toffy" now.:)


She never was Distant or Toffy, ask any of the Aussies who met her. Bob [She has had a good comedy side kick to divert the focus , over time ]

[Ausfree]

She never was Distant or Toffy, ask any of the Aussies who met her. Bob [She has had a good comedy side kick to divert the focus , over time ]
Let me rephrase that............she used to appear to come across that way. :)

I still think she is now taking advice from people who are more in tune with the average person.:)

ps. some of the sidekicks sayings are very witty.

[olbod]

I think her Mate is very smart and has played his part brilliantly.
I have always had the impression that they are nice.

[shining]

One of their (esp Charles) favourite shows in the old days was "The Goon Show" Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, Harry Seacombe and Michael Bentine.

[d2dave]

I have always admired her. It might be a life of luxury, but I would not want to do it, although it would be nice to be able to drive the latest Range Rover though.

As for the link in the OP it does not work, so I am not sure what this thread is actually about.

[bob10]

I have always admired her. It might be a life of luxury, but I would not want to do it, although it would be nice to be able to drive the latest Range Rover though.

As for the link in the OP it does not work, so I am not sure what this thread is actually about.


There you go, Bob


David Cameron and Nick Clegg have said their final Queen's Speech before the general election will be "unashamedly pro-work and pro-business".
The Queen is announcing the laws the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition hopes to pass before the May 2015 poll as she opens Parliament.
Ministers say changes to annuities and funding of workplace pensions show the coalition's continuing "boldness".
Proposals to "recall" failed MPs are also expected to be among bills tabled.
The last session of the current five-year Parliament is expected to last until next April, with a general election scheduled to take place on 7 May 2015.
Ministers say the measures to be announced on Wednesday will mark a "significant step" in helping to embed the economic recovery and in promoting work, enterprise and opportunity.
'Getting on' They will also seek to refute opposition claims that the coalition has run out of steam and that the months leading up to the election will be dominated by wrangling and attempts by the coalition partners to put distance between themselves ahead of May's poll.
In a ceremony rich with historic pomp and pageantry, the Queen is announcing the government's legislative programme for the year.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived at the Palace of Westminster after travelling the short distance from Buckingham Palace in the new Diamond Jubilee state coach.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are also in attendance.
Among the measures expected to feature in the Queen's Speech are:


A bill implementing reforms to annuities (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26654759) announced in March's Budget. In future, people will not be required to buy an annuity with their pension savings and will be able to draw their retirement income in one go if they choose
A separate bill (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27653861) to allow employees to pay into collective pension funds shared with other workers, a move it is hoped will cut costs and encourage saving
A new state-funded childcare subsidy (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26618139) worth up to £2,000 a year, replacing the existing employer-funded scheme
Extra legal protection (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27658594) for people carrying out good deeds, volunteering or planning local events who end up being involved in liability claims
Curbs on public sector employees (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27655895) claiming redundancy and then taking a job within the same sector
Plans for a 5p charge for plastic bags in England as announced at last year's (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24088523) Lib Dem conference
Reforms to speed up infrastructure projects, including new freedoms for the Highways Agency and allowing fracking firms (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27110655) to run shale gas pipelines on private land without getting prior permission
New criminal sentences for those assisting organised crime syndicates and tougher powers to seize the assets of crime bosses
Help for pub landlords (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27675991) including a statutory code and a body to adjudicate disputes
Giving voters the power (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26441194) to trigger by-elections where MPs have committed serious wrong-doing

The prime minister and his deputy said the emphasis of the programme would be helping those "who want to get on in life".
"We may be two parties, with two different philosophies but we understand one thing," they said in a joint statement.
"Countries rise when their people rise. So this Queen's Speech is unashamedly pro-work, pro-business and pro-aspiration."
The fracking bill has prompted a protest by Greenpeace activists, who say they have (https://twitter.com/GreenpeaceUK) erected a fence around Mr Cameron's Oxfordshire home and put up a sign saying: "We apologise for any inconvenience we may cause while we frack under your home".
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1430.jpg
BBC experts' views https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1431.jpg
"When Her Majesty reads out what is, in effect, Parliament's "to do list" she's expected to quote her government's oft repeated promise to continue with its "long-term plan" - which may well produce a groan or two from some opposition MPs and peers. David Cameron and Nick Clegg are desperate to answer the charge that they have run out of ideas which their two parties can sign up to and are simply running down the clock until polling day." Read Nick Robinson's full preview (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27691206).
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1432.jpg
"As you watch the state opening of parliament, remember it is one of the strongest ceremonial demonstrations of our liberty that we have. Democracy is not just the freedom to vote out a government we dislike; it is also the freedom not to be ruled by an autocratic monarch chosen by God. It is what our ancestors fought over in the civil war. And it is a right that we are reminded of every year." James Landale on how the Queen's Speech show us who isn't boss (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27693589).
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1430.jpg
Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg said the legislative programme was testament to the coalition's longevity and the fact it was still capable of "taking bold steps".
They say the pension changes would provide "freedom and security in retirement", suggesting they would prove every bit as radical as reforms to schools and welfare since 2010 in terms of empowering people.
Campaigners have welcomed more innovation in pensions provision but warned that the changes are not risk-free and said employees and employers must be helped to make informed choices.
Labour leader Ed Miliband called for a Queen's Speech which "signals a new direction for Britain, not one which offers more of the same".
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Carriage maker Jim Frecklington tells the story of the Queen's new state carriage which will take her to Parliament

"We need action, we need answers, we need a programme for government equal to the scale of the challenge our country faces," he said. "We would have a Queen's Speech with legislation which would make work pay, reform our banks, freeze energy bills and build homes again in Britain."
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1433.jpg The Imperial State Crown arrives at the House of Parliament
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1434.jpg The State Opening is one of the highlights of the parliamentary calendar
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1435.jpg The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are in attendance
Labour would support an anti-slavery bill if, as expected, it is among the measures announced, Angela Eagle, shadow leader of the House of Commons, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
But on the Queen's Speech as a whole, she added: "Just because the government announces it's a bold programme, does not mean actually that it is."
The State Opening of Parliament, one of the highlights of the Westminster calendar, used to take place in the autumn but was moved to the early summer by the coalition government.
With Parliament taking a six-week summer recess from July and rising for a further five weeks for the party conference season in September, parliamentary time available to agree new legislation will be limited.
In addition, six bills - including one authorising the building of a new high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands - are being carried over from the last session.
Business groups urged the government not to over-legislate and to focus on maximising the benefits of the upturn in the economy.
"Ministers' attention should be focused firmly on delivering existing commitments - from deregulation to infrastructure - rather than introduce a raft of new bills that distract their attention from economic growth," said Adam Marshall, director of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce.
The Green Party of England and Wales, meanwhile, has called for an end for all public subsidies of fossil fuels, a pay cap for executives and limiting rent increases for tenants to inflation.

[discovery39]

Bob, you can't say Her Majesty, and kicking arse in the same sentence.......
Its very uncooth........:D

[V8Ian]

Bob, you can't say Her Majesty, and kicking arse in the same sentence.......
Its very uncooth........:D
We are not amused.

[JDNSW]

The speech referred to, opening parliament, while it is spoken by the Queen, is written by the government of the day. To attribute the sentiments in it to the Queen displays a lack of understanding.

John

[bob10]

Bob, you can't say Her Majesty, and kicking arse in the same sentence.......
Its very uncooth........:D


Philip would have said it.....Bob [ I blame the swear filter]
:angel:

[bob10]

The speech referred to, opening parliament, while it is spoken by the Queen, is written by the government of the day. To attribute the sentiments in it to the Queen displays a lack of understanding.

John


This is what it is all about, John, Bob



http://www.royal.gov.uk/RoyalEventsandCeremonies/StateOpeningofParliament/State%20Opening%20of%20Parliament.aspx

[bob10]

We are not amused.


I take it you would not like to hear what the R.N. stokers did to an object removed from the Royal heads, on R.M.Y. Brittania , then, Ian ? :p Bob

[Redback]

Bunch of out of touch old cronies, **** the queen:mad:

Baz.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

"Sir Baz"

no,, something not quite right there---
:wasntme:

[Pickles2]

BBIIIGGG fan of the Queen here.
Pickles.

[bob10]

One of their (esp Charles) favourite shows in the old days was "The Goon Show" Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan, Harry Seacombe and Michael Bentine.


I'm glad you asked!, Bob



The Goon Show: The Whistling Spy Enigma - Part 1/3 - YouTube

[V8Ian]

I take it you would not like to hear what the R.N. stokers did to an object removed from the Royal heads, on R.M.Y. Brittania , then, Ian ? :p Bob

I believe they polished and mounted it Bob. :o

[bob10]

I believe they polished and mounted it Bob. :o


It was mounted on a plaque, much like a ships plaque, and took pride of place in the stokers mess, With the motto, " The Royal Turd". Thankfully, the Royal Family never ventured into the stokers mess. I have that knowledge from a mate who served on Brittania, and it must be true, because stokers do not lie. Bob
:angel:

[Ausfree]

Bunch of out of touch old cronies, **** the queen:mad:

Baz.
Bah, Humbug!!!! I'm not a fan either, but let's be honest. she does seem more, shall we say........... "normal" nowadays.:)

[bob10]

Bah, Humbug!!!! I'm not a fan either, but let's be honest. she does seem more, shall we say........... "normal" nowadays.:)


I am a big fan of the Queen, [ after all she waved at me at the Spithead review, ] There were 155 ships in ten lines stretching seven & one half miles along the stretch of water known as the Solent, between the Isle of Wight & the Boroughs of Gosport & Portsmouth. But whet really impressed me was the signal sent, from H.R.H, and I shall repeat it verbotem.
VV MSOO43
PRIORITY 281710Z JUN 77
FROM MODUK NAVY
TO AIG 1001
AIG1017
RFA EDDY FIRTH
ALL RN AND COMMONWEALTH SHIPS AT SPITHEAD
BT


" UNCLAS
DIG LCS/LEJ
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN HAS REQUESTED THE ADMIRALTY BOARD TO PROMULGATE THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE
TO THE ROYAL NAVY AND TO THE FLAG AND SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH SHIPS AT SPITHEAD [ and that lovely little chap waving so well on HMAS Brisbane]:- IN CELEBRATION OF MY SILVER JUBILEE AND WITH THE ROYAL NAVY AND COMMONWEALTH SHIPS ASSEMBLED AT SPITHEAD SPLICE THE MAINBRACE ELIZABETH R
BT
//281710Z JUN 77


What's not to like about that? love the Lady, not too impressed with the system, seems to be a lot of 2 headed people about. Bob

[simmo]

Guys I'm sure I speak for all the staunch royalists. We appreciate you not using Arse , and Queen Elizabeth in the same sentence. :wasntme:

[bob10]

Guys I'm sure I speak for all the staunch royalists. We appreciate you not using Arse , and Queen Elizabeth in the same sentence. :wasntme:


Do you all live in the same house? Bob :angel: :D

[discovery39]

Do you all live in the same house? Bob :angel: :D


Yes, the Palace is quite large..........:angel:

[discovery39]

Bunch of out of touch old cronies, **** the queen:mad:

Baz.


Sooo, how do you really feel Baz..............:p

[simmo]

We're proud she's our monarch, can you name one country with a better political system?
USA?, France, Spain? Italy, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Greece?.
All politics is crooked, but at least the queens man can dismiss the government and call an election. how good is that ? :)

[Ausfree]

We're proud she's our monarch, can you name one country with a better political system?
USA?, France, Spain? Italy, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Greece?.
All politics is crooked, but at least the queens man can dismiss the government and call an election. how good is that ? :)
Ain't that a fact as has been proven here in NSW and several years ago in Queensland.

[bob10]

We're proud she's our monarch, can you name one country with a better political system?
USA?, France, Spain? Italy, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Greece?.
All politics is crooked, but at least the queens man can dismiss the government and call an election. how good is that ? :)


Simmo, love your work, even agree with , to a small extent. Westminster, you have to love the system even though politicians do their best to destroy it. I seem to remember a small stoush between the Royalists, & Oliver Cromwell, a few years ago, that was the catalyst for our system of government. It is all very well to be proud of the present monarch, and I reckon She's alright, but what of the future? Any one who has an interest in the history of the British monarchs would admit, most of them were as nutty as fruit cakes. Thank God, & England, for Cromwell. Bob

[JDNSW]

Simmo, love your work, even agree with , to a small extent. Westminster, you have to love the system even though politicians do their best to destroy it. I seem to remember a small stoush between the Royalists, & Oliver Cromwell, a few years ago, that was the catalyst for our system of government. It is all very well to be proud of the present monarch, and I reckon She's alright, but what of the future? Any one who has an interest in the history of the British monarchs would admit, most of them were as nutty as fruit cakes. Thank God, & England, for Cromwell. Bob

A rather simplistic view of the evolution of the British constitution, and hence the Westminster system.

Oliver Cromwell, although he entered government as an elected politician, after a successful career as a military officer, he dissolved parliament by force, and retained dictatorial power as Lord Protector until his death, when the office passed by inheritance to his son, who proved to be unable or unwilling to be sufficiently ruthless to retain the office. The protectorate was so unpopular that the king, Charles II, was invited to return, although the conditions increased parliamentary power.

Through the next couple of centuries the power of the king (or Queen) gradually passed to the Prime Minister. Major influences here were the accession of William and Mary in 1688, with the conditions of their invitation to replace James II again increasing parliamentary power. Further transfer of power resulted from the accession of the non-English speaking George I, and the periods of insanity from porphyria of George III.

The accession of Victoria, young, inexperienced and fairly biddable, cemented the transfer of power to parliament. Through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, gradual widening of the franchise and reform of electoral procedures, and curbing the power of the House of Lords led to a more nearly democratic system.

So I cannot agree that the Commonwealth was a catalyst for the Westminster system - the 'stoush' was partly a result of religious disputes and partly a result of Charles I trying to wind back parliamentary powers that had grown from 1215 onwards at least as far as Elizabeth I's reign. But while Cromwell was the most effective military commander in the civil war, he did not use the power he gained to strengthen democracy - he used it to totally abolish both democracy and parliament.

John

[shorty943]

Hey Bob, I remember that signal.

I was on the big flat topped one beside you at the time.
(Yeah, the one that embarrassed with the Ensign falling from the staff as HRH boated by on Britannia.)

As for HRH herself, amazing lady, what could possibly wrong with a dear little old lady who lead foots it in the latest Deefer V8?
Don't forget she was also an Army Truckie as a girl. She knows a couple of blue tinged phrases herself.

[DiscoMick]

All the Queen does is to read a speech written by the government, she has no say over what is in the speech. Judging from the story, there didn't seem to be much in the speech to cause rejoicing in the streets. No wonder they call it the 'Zombie Government'.

Sent from my D1 using overweight hamsters.

[bob10]

Hey Bob, I remember that signal.

I was on the big flat topped one beside you at the time.
(Yeah, the one that embarrassed with the Ensign falling from the staff as HRH boated by on Britannia.)

As for HRH herself, amazing lady, what could possibly wrong with a dear little old lady who lead foots it in the latest Deefer V8?
Don't forget she was also an Army Truckie as a girl. She knows a couple of blue tinged phrases herself.


Love the lady. Do you remember, at anchor at the spit, when Melbourne swung on her anchor, and came towards Brisbane? Our collision alarm sounded, I was in the Chiefs mess, with other engineering types, we had Brisbane to obey telegraphs in about 3 minutes flat. Not a criticism of Melbourne, but , by goodness , we had a good engineering branch. Almost as good as Vampire, Bob :p

[bob10]

A rather simplistic view of the evolution of the British constitution, and hence the Westminster system.


So I cannot agree that the Commonwealth was a catalyst for the Westminster system - the 'stoush' was partly a result of religious disputes and partly a result of Charles I trying to wind back parliamentary powers that had grown from 1215 onwards at least as far as Elizabeth I's reign. But while Cromwell was the most effective military commander in the civil war, he did not use the power he gained to strengthen democracy - he used it to totally abolish both democracy and parliament.

John


Yeah , mate but it was a start on the road to democracy, Simple as that. Bob

[JDNSW]

Yeah , mate but it was a start on the road to democracy, Simple as that. Bob

No, it was not. It was a military dictatorship to use the current terminology. (See, for example, Thailand in current events!) Democratic institutions that had been in place for hundreds of years were shut down until Cromwell's death. How can you say that is a start on the road to democracy? It was, if anything, a backward step on a road that had started as far back as 1215. (Perhaps a sidewards step, but certainly neither a forward step nor a start.)

John

[Redback]

We're proud she's our monarch, can you name one country with a better political system?
USA?, France, Spain? Italy, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Greece?.
All politics is crooked, but at least the queens man can dismiss the government and call an election. how good is that ? :)

Oh yeah, how wonderful is that, being ruled by another country and that doesn't give a toss about us, yep oh joy.

[ATH]

"Oh yeah, how wonderful is that, being ruled by another country and that doesn't give a toss about us, yep oh joy. "
We're neither ruled by the Queen or the UK government. The Queen has always said becoming a republic is something for Australians to decide.
When the majority want it I'll go along with it but personally would rather stick with what we've got, than some bent ex pollie voted in by his/her equally bent mates.
Just think of the enormous cost of keeping a president in the lifestyle he thinks he deserves....private plane and constant travel, huge manor house, hordes of servants and everything else they would want to show the world how great we are.
Be even worse than having to keep KRUDD flying around.....:mad:
AlanH.

[Ausfree]

"Oh yeah, how wonderful is that, being ruled by another country and that doesn't give a toss about us, yep oh joy. "
We're neither ruled by the Queen or the UK government. The Queen has always said becoming a republic is something for Australians to decide.
When the majority want it I'll go along with it but personally would rather stick with what we've got, than some bent ex pollie voted in by his/her equally bent mates.
Just think of the enormous cost of keeping a president in the lifestyle he thinks he deserves....private plane and constant travel, huge manor house, hordes of servants and everything else they would want to show the world how great we are.
Be even worse than having to keep KRUDD flying around.....:mad:
AlanH.
That was the model offered to us a few years back as you no doubt remember. A model guaranteed to breed corruption.

[Redback]

"Oh yeah, how wonderful is that, being ruled by another country and that doesn't give a toss about us, yep oh joy. "
We're neither ruled by the Queen or the UK government. The Queen has always said becoming a republic is something for Australians to decide.
When the majority want it I'll go along with it but personally would rather stick with what we've got, than some bent ex pollie voted in by his/her equally bent mates.
Just think of the enormous cost of keeping a president in the lifestyle he thinks he deserves....private plane and constant travel, huge manor house, hordes of servants and everything else they would want to show the world how great we are.
Be even worse than having to keep KRUDD flying around.....:mad:
AlanH.

Yeah squeaky clean lot we have now on both sides, wish I had $50,000 to spend on dinner;)

[bob10]

No, it was not. It was a military dictatorship to use the current terminology. (See, for example, Thailand in current events!) Democratic institutions that had been in place for hundreds of years were shut down until Cromwell's death. How can you say that is a start on the road to democracy? It was, if anything, a backward step on a road that had started as far back as 1215. (Perhaps a sidewards step, but certainly neither a forward step nor a start.)

John


Ok, I was wrong, back to the books to find out the story. And I will , Bob
;)

[DiscoMick]

Should be similar to what we already pay to support our Governer General.

Sent from my D1 using overweight hamsters.

[ATH]

The republicans would have you believe that DiscoMick but can you really see some ***** like KRUDD or any president picked out of the bunches of loonies that have run the country into the ground or any of our jet setting foreign ministers of the last few years accepting that?
Big is better and Oz is a big wealthy country and boy do our pollies (all 3 levels of them) love to bulldust and try to show the rest of the world how good they are.
Not for me thanks, the Queen nor the UK gov have any say at all about the running of Oz and long may it stay that way.
But I suspect the Queen would like to say a bit more than she's allowed about the way the UK is run.:p
AlanH.

[Redback]

The republicans would have you believe that DiscoMick but can you really see some ***** like KRUDD or any president picked out of the bunches of loonies that have run the country into the ground or any of our jet setting foreign ministers of the last few years accepting that?
Big is better and Oz is a big wealthy country and boy do our pollies (all 3 levels of them) love to bulldust and try to show the rest of the world how good they are.
Not for me thanks, the Queen nor the UK gov have any say at all about the running of Oz and long may it stay that way.
But I suspect the Queen would like to say a bit more than she's allowed about the way the UK is run.:p
AlanH.

Hahahahahaha, funny stuff, changing the leaders title would do all that:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:

[DiscoMick]

The republicans would have you believe that DiscoMick but can you really see some ***** like KRUDD or any president picked out of the bunches of loonies that have run the country into the ground or any of our jet setting foreign ministers of the last few years accepting that?
Big is better and Oz is a big wealthy country and boy do our pollies (all 3 levels of them) love to bulldust and try to show the rest of the world how good they are.
Not for me thanks, the Queen nor the UK gov have any say at all about the running of Oz and long may it stay that way.
But I suspect the Queen would like to say a bit more than she's allowed about the way the UK is run.:p
AlanH.

Actually, I reckon our GGs over the last two decades have done a pretty good job of being impartial and responsible. If we just cut the umbilical cord which needlessly links them to the Queen of England, and stood on our own two feet, I doubt if much would change. We want a President who only intervenes when the politicos go totally feral, and whose only role is to hold the place together until a fresh government is formed. In Thailand the Army does that job (badly), but all we need is an impartial President to perform the same backstop role. The Queen does nothing to make that happen now, so cutting off the link to her would make no real difference, i reckon.
Of course, you're free to disagree, as it was still a reasonably free country last time I checked.

Sent from my D1 using overweight hamsters.