Friday 22 April 2011

Royal Wedding? Not Here, Mate...



The words below were published the other day on a website called http://www.indymediascotland.org/

The royal wedding is almost upon us, and with it another reminder of our status as the subjects of an unaccountable system of privilege and power.

In light of David Cameron's reassurances that people will be allowed to freely mark this “special day”, without regard for “red tape”, we want to embrace such reassurances to express our contempt for the archaic and inherently undemocratic institution of the monarchy.

On this day, we hope to see the Royal Mile transformed into the “Republican Mile”, in a celebration of democracy and people power, and a two-fingered salute to the monarchy, the ruling classes, and all that they represent.

Bring loudhailers, sound systems, royal and political effigies; anything to make enough noise to be heard in the centres of power, whether in London or Edinburgh. If anyone knows how to perform a rain dance, please teach us, and we can endeavour to send some dark clouds to Buckingham Palace. Most importantly, bring a spirit of rebellion!

I'm not so sure anyone will need to perform a rain dance in the UK's capital but I understand the sentiments. I am already heartily sick of hearing about the royal wedding, about how the nation will be celebrating this 'great event'  - an event which is at the tax payer's expense. One week today I may well be in a darkened room, somewhere with a bottle of brandy and a set of ear plugs. Or perhaps I'll listen to the Sex Pistols Anarchy in the UK on my Ipod. Even my place of work has given us the day off to 'celebrate the royal wedding' As the ironically named Jim Royle might say 'celebrate, my arse!'

 C'mon the republic!

9 comments:

Divinemsjunebug said...

Ah yes, even in America there is Royal Wedding Frenzy and commercials where you can buy a very cheap copy of the saphire ring. I may want to borrow the barf bag myself and will play the Sex Pistols just to send you support. I was in high school when Diana was married and remember either going to bed really really late or waking up really really early to watch it on TV. So, we know how that one turned out...

miruspeg said...

The Royal Wedding will be watched by millions here in Australia.
We are still tied to the apron strings of the Queen here downunder.
I wonder if we will ever 'grow up' and become a republic.

Back in 1972 the Queen via the Governor General sacked Labour government. The sacked Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in his farewell speech said:
"Well may we say God save the Queen because nothing will save the Governor General"

Suffice to say I am not a Royalist!

Peg xxxxx

Anonymous said...

I'll be contentedly giving it a miss from the middle of the North Sea.

Mike Smith said...

Thank you June, Peggy and Ken. Glad to see I'm not alone!

HG said...

I totally agree, Mike! I am an American, married to a proud Scotsman and mother of a proud wee Scotsman and can see NO reason the Scots, Americans or indeed ANYONE out with the royals themselves should give a toss about this wedding. People fall in love and get married everyday and I wish all of them well. BUT, being of a particular blood line does not mean anything to me nor should it anyone else.
On the big day I will be out on the croft digging soil, planting tatties and generally ignoring the entire expensive episode. It's just another day and they are just two more people in a world of billions!

Adullamite said...

I noticed that Ibrox is prepared for the OF game with small union flags fixed to every seat. I am told this is for the wedding....

Mike Smith said...

Welcome HG and thanks for your comment. Adullamite - union flags at Ibrox? Surely not...

Nicky said...

700 people registered on the FB event for the Republican Mile!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=208171975879408&ref=ts

Canadian Blend said...

Is the Royal Family so broke they can't afford to pay for their own weddings?

Over here, in the states, it's tradition that the bride's family foot the bill. Maybe the Queen should have fallen back on that if she's running short on milk money. :)

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