Comments by "Ash Roskell" (@ashroskell) on "videos of Prince andrew, President Clinton and Richard Branson" video.

  1. It’s a worrying statistic if you’re a monarchist, I suppose. And if that survey company is a reliable one, which I can’t guess at. I have always been a republican (with a small, “r”) despite having huge admiration for Queen Elizabeth II’s character and personality. Though I hear the arguments in support of the institution with a sympathetic ear, largely because I respect our nation’s history and ideas about continuity. And because I do see the royals as having a hugely beneficial role to play in diplomacy and what they call, “the feel good factor,” of the nation. I site those examples above tourism, though the coin tourism generates is not to be sniffed at. I do not doubt for a moment that Elizabeth would, “put him away,” now, regardless of her alleged request of Charles that he, “look after,” Edward on her deathbed. A request that could be read in any number of ways. The royal family has the resources to offer Edward a reasonable income and a comfortable retirement in a foreign land and to keep the whole thing within the family, without touching the public purse. And, as you indicated yourself, we have precedent for this in the Wallace Simpson case. A monarch’s first loyalty must be to his country, or s/he renders the institution obsolete. The moment that family becomes a liability to the public good, the clamour of republicanism will grow all the louder and carry more weight. And, to stand by Edward at this point, is to signal the world that moral degeneracy is acceptable to the royals and stands up there as a symbol of who we are as Britains, which is after all, what their role is. They represent what Britain is as the, “model,” family. This was why Edward VIII’s position was considered untenable, because the institution can never be seen to place personal loyalties above the public good. Even Edward VII, who’s proclivities were infamous in his own lifetime, never stooped to the exploitation of underage girls! The fact that Edward’s track record is also tainted with scandal speaks to character flaws that have run unchecked for too long. At least the succession is secure and he no longer stands to inherit the throne if something unforeseen happens to Charles. Cold comfort to his victims. Cold comfort for people like me, who have witnessed the fierce, manipulative and deceitful face of child sexual abuse first hand. Whatever happens, Charles is the soul responsible party now. It’s his job.
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