Vale / in Memorium

[stui magpie]

An actual Brit?

You're an Aussie who lives there, and you're welcome to it.

[watt price tully]

You're not seriously policing people on behalf of another sovereign nation that itself isn't policing its own citizens?

Don't be another Chatfield / Brandt dickhead.

Act like a grown up.

Man who effetely appropriates another country's events as his own tells others to grow up without the slightest hint of self-awareness.

As an actual Brit, let me break to you: locals love Australia but are nauseated by clingy Australians.

Whatsinaname is a woman troll.

FWIW I agree with you. Feel sorry for the individuals involved but like a lot of Brits have zero time for non tax paying hereditary monarchy. I agree with the late Tony Benn about the monarchy.

“The existence of hereditary monarchy helps to prop up all the privilege and patronage that corrupts our society”

[pietillidie]

An actual Brit?

You're an Aussie who lives there, and you're welcome to it.

Last I checked I was a British citizen from birth who permanently lives, works, votes and pays taxes in Great Britain and the UK

Nothing I'm saying here is against Australia or reflects on you. I love both Australia and the UK, and as you know have a very strong affection for South Korea and Ireland. All have their strengths.

It's the clingy weirdo Tony Abbott-type Australians that unsettle people. Even more bizarrely, they're often the very same people who vociferously idolise the vile Donald Trump.

How's that for strange bedfellows? The dignified and devoted QE2, and the repugnant self-serving narcissist Donald Trump.

Everyone knows the fawning after recognition and security that drives this is infantile. It speaks to a very different motivation than that which underlies the justified admiration of QE2 for her devotion to public service, which everyone agrees upon.

[think positive]

I bet your fun at parties

[Jezza]

Abbie Chatfield, you low life.

She's a degenerate.

How so many people look up to this idiot is beyond me.

[stui magpie]

Sorry, I must have missed a meeting, I thought you were born and raised Victorian.

I hope you like it there, England is not a place I have any desire to visit let alone live.

[think positive]

Abbie Chatfield, you low life.

She's a degenerate.

How so many people look up to this idiot is beyond me.

‘Famous’ because she was on a dating show, no credibility just another pathetic wannabeee

[Jezza]

While I'd very much prefer to be a member of a Royal family than live in abject poverty I'd still prefer to be part of the majority that is neither of those two groups and live my life free from endless scrutiny and invasion of privacy.

In reality the Queen and her family are still just people and while they might be more famous and wealthy than most I sense people would be shocked that away from public view their family unit is filled with the same light and shade us our own, sometimes flawed, sometimes selfish, sometimes capable of much love and compassion.

For her family today her loss will be grieved every much we would do our own mother or grandmother and that in itself is enough reason to show a little respect.

While I'm no monarchist I'm also not so hate filled I have anything against a group of people who find themselves in a privileged but totally bizarre situation based on a birth right. While the presence of the Queen wasn't of major significance in my life, she has still been a presence throughout it and when you've reached an age your own grandmothers have long since gone she served as a reminder of them. In a strange way that provided a little comfort if only for the hope your own mother can live such a long and healthy life.

As for the talk that she and the Royal family have given nothing back for the privilege afforded to them or are a leech on the English taxpayer I can't agree.

The English Royal family are synonymous with how the the wider world views the United Kingdom, their continued status when other European monarchies have faded from view would generate vast tourism dollars every year as people flock to landmarks where they can see a glimpse of all the history, pomp and ceremony attached to the Royals. Then of course there would be the countless memorabilia sold (most unofficial) each year that would generate extra income for a range of retailers big and small.

Personally I feel they more than pay their way.

As for not giving back that doesn't seem fair or remotely correct.

While I'm clearly no expert on these matters did she not give back when traveling to many Commonwealth countries which in the days before airliners would have been long journeys by cruise ship, attending God only knows how many official engagements across the decades, meeting heads of state, bestowing the Royal title to important institutions like hospitals or using her status to provide a comforting voice in difficult times, push a charitable cause or voice her concerns privately to people in power.

The fact that she continued to do many of those things well in to her 90's and with failing health (hell she only met with the new British PM a couple of days ago) shows very much how seriously she viewed service to country.

May she rest in peace.

Great post, Swoop.

Very classy and well summarised.

[pietillidie]

Sorry, I must have missed a meeting, I thought you were born and raised Victorian.

I hope you like it there, England is not a place I have any desire to visit let alone live.

I was born in Melbourne, but I've always been a British citizen by descent and had one eye on coming here eventually. So after leaving South Korea that's what I did, with some time in Ireland in between. I can't see us moving again now, though.

I just don't have the stomach to start as a newbie in another country now, especially given we've worked so hard to get our careers on track.

It takes too long to settle properly somewhere, which is why people who want to do this kind of thing need to start young. Flitting from place to place is useless in my experience, because it takes five or so years to get the lay of the land.

But I don't imagine I'm an Aussie in Britain, no. I used to call myself an Aussie Brit, but that's evolved into being a Brit who was born in Australia. I never voted in the Brexit referendum because I felt I didn't own it, even though obviously I opposed Brexit. But I sure as hell would now, just as I feel comfortable writing on UK business, policy and the economy.

[think positive]

An actual Brit?

You're an Aussie who lives there, and you're welcome to it.

So yes he’s an Aussie who lives in England, just as I’m a Pom who lives in Australia - with dual citizenship!

Your correct Stu!

You can call yourself what ever you want, you can take on another countries citizenship, but where you are born is where you will always have been born!

[think positive]

While I'd very much prefer to be a member of a Royal family than live in abject poverty I'd still prefer to be part of the majority that is neither of those two groups and live my life free from endless scrutiny and invasion of privacy.

In reality the Queen and her family are still just people and while they might be more famous and wealthy than most I sense people would be shocked that away from public view their family unit is filled with the same light and shade us our own, sometimes flawed, sometimes selfish, sometimes capable of much love and compassion.

For her family today her loss will be grieved every much we would do our own mother or grandmother and that in itself is enough reason to show a little respect.

While I'm no monarchist I'm also not so hate filled I have anything against a group of people who find themselves in a privileged but totally bizarre situation based on a birth right. While the presence of the Queen wasn't of major significance in my life, she has still been a presence throughout it and when you've reached an age your own grandmothers have long since gone she served as a reminder of them. In a strange way that provided a little comfort if only for the hope your own mother can live such a long and healthy life.

As for the talk that she and the Royal family have given nothing back for the privilege afforded to them or are a leech on the English taxpayer I can't agree.

The English Royal family are synonymous with how the the wider world views the United Kingdom, their continued status when other European monarchies have faded from view would generate vast tourism dollars every year as people flock to landmarks where they can see a glimpse of all the history, pomp and ceremony attached to the Royals. Then of course there would be the countless memorabilia sold (most unofficial) each year that would generate extra income for a range of retailers big and small.

Personally I feel they more than pay their way.

As for not giving back that doesn't seem fair or remotely correct.

While I'm clearly no expert on these matters did she not give back when traveling to many Commonwealth countries which in the days before airliners would have been long journeys by cruise ship, attending God only knows how many official engagements across the decades, meeting heads of state, bestowing the Royal title to important institutions like hospitals or using her status to provide a comforting voice in difficult times, push a charitable cause or voice her concerns privately to people in power.

The fact that she continued to do many of those things well in to her 90's and with failing health (hell she only met with the new British PM a couple of days ago) shows very much how seriously she viewed service to country.

May she rest in peace.

Great post, Swoop.

Very classy and well summarised.

Agree, very classy and respectful.


Judging by the crowds at Buckingham palace, and listening to the people, the monarchy is far from dead.

[David]

[pietillidie]

^My favourite bit was being told what my identity is because, well, because Jesus said you have to draw the line somewhere or life would devolve into anarchy, despite being a British citizen living here, working here, voting here, paying taxes here, being settled here, having no thought of going anywhere else, and being considered a Brit by people here culturally, social, legally and in every other possible way conceivable

You could almost hear people's heads explode when I said I'm a Brit. But, but, the rules! What about the rules? What if boat people decide they're Aussies when they are mere permanently settled Australian citizens who live, work, study, pay tax, vote and partake in everyday life here?

[think positive]

Pompous arse

Yep that’s a truly British thing

[roar]

This is NOT the time to discuss you thoughts on a republic.

It is NOT your call whether it is the time or not.