[news] The BBC kill off Her Majesty

[unixman_again]

Queen Elizabeth Is Dead? BBC Reporter's Tweet Sparks Rumor : snopes.com

 

BBC journalist Ahmen Khawaja accidentally sends Twitter update that Queen is in hospital – blames 'silly prank' | Metro News

[jdoyle]

Gonna happen one day. Good to have a dry run.....

[Arreks]

I mean, I know she's old but wow.. talk about jumping the gun!

[tmcd35]

I mean, I know she's old but wow.. talk about jumping the gun!

 

Saw an interesting report on this once, think it was on BBC News' Point of View. Apparently, no matter how old you are, if you are remotely in the public eye then they have your obituary pre-written with archive video footage ready to go when the untimely news hits.

 

While it's unfortunate the Tweet got out into the wild, the actual process, preperation and practice run is nothing out of the ordinary.

[Grey-gear]

Well she's in trouble

[CAM]

Saw an interesting report on this once, think it was on BBC News' Point of View. Apparently, no matter how old you are, if you are remotely in the public eye then they have your obituary pre-written with archive video footage ready to go when the untimely news hits.

 

While it's unfortunate the Tweet got out into the wild, the actual process, preperation and practice run is nothing out of the ordinary.

 

She's the Queen, it isn't just a pre-written obituary at hand but the entire Emergency Alert System for UK broadcasting primed 24/7 to announce her death. Every radio and TV channel will be interrupted to announce her death with an emergency news bulletin.

[Andrew_C]

It hardly matters; there's another one ready to take her place.

[tmcd35]

She's the Queen, it isn't just a pre-written obituary at hand but the entire Emergency Alert System for UK broadcasting primed 24/7 to announce her death. Every radio and TV channel will be interrupted to announce her death with an emergency news bulletin.

 

I bet I still miss it and only find out the next day on here

[jdoyle]

It hardly matters; there's another one ready to take her place.

 

unfortunately

 

Vive la République!

[sted]

unfortunately

 

Vive la République!

 

there ought to be some debate vote about this as at least in my opinion when she dies/abdicates that should be the end of the royal family they as far as I can see serve no useful purpose apart from a few extra people for tabloids to write about. I see no reason why they should by dint of birth have any power at all

[localzuk]

there ought to be some debate vote about this as at least in my opinion when she dies/abdicates that should be the end of the royal family they as far as I can see serve no useful purpose apart from a few extra people for tabloids to write about. I see no reason why they should by dint of birth have any power at all

 

Even with a vote, it would be *very* unlikely that the monarchy would end... The last survey that I saw (2013) had republic at 14%.

[sted]

Even with a vote, it would be *very* unlikely that the monarchy would end... The last survey that I saw (2013) had republic at 14%.

 

at least we could have a say though even if nothing changes

[Tesla]

at least we could have a say though even if nothing changes

 

Bit like politics then?

[TechMonkey]

It is amazing how many plans and processes there are in the background involving all kinds of organisations you wouldn't think of and more and more they are being brought out, updated and checked as people realise the inevitable has to happen. Feels a bit morbid being involved but is also reassuring. It is also interesting the hush hush nature of it, understandably really.

[tmcd35]

there ought to be some debate vote about this as at least in my opinion when she dies/abdicates that should be the end of the royal family they as far as I can see serve no useful purpose apart from a few extra people for tabloids to write about. I see no reason why they should by dint of birth have any power at all

 

I can't remember the exact details now but there was some kind of deal done around land, property, valuables, and what we pay them each year that means the treasury actually makes much more than we pay them - we have more to loose financially by getting rid of them.

 

Also, I doubt Americans will be so interesting in visiting the old country and having their snap taken outside El'Presidenti's palace.

[tmcd35]

Here it is: The True Cost of the Royal Family Explained — CGP Grey

 

We make £200m in profit from their lands, that they own. Pay them £40m, and keep the other £160m...

[sted]

Here it is: The True Cost of the Royal Family Explained — CGP Grey

 

We make £200m in profit from their lands, that they own. Pay them £40m, and keep the other £160m...

 

still no reason for them to have any power whatsoever because of who their ancestors were and in tax terms lets be honest that's peanuts anyway

[mjk]

Even with a vote, it would be *very* unlikely that the monarchy would end... The last survey that I saw (2013) had republic at 14%.

 

Only 24% of people eligible to vote actually voted for the Conservatives, so never say never.

[ICTDirect_Dave]

Here it is: The True Cost of the Royal Family Explained — CGP Grey

 

We make £200m in profit from their lands, that they own. Pay them £40m, and keep the other £160m...

 

That's a good read and puts forward exactly what I always say about the monarchy. They bring in more than they cost, they have no real power other than the ceremonial, and they make us a far more interesting nation. Nothing wrong with them at all in my eyes

[tmcd35]

That's a good read and puts forward exactly what I always say about the monarchy. They bring in more than they cost, they have no real power other than the ceremonial, and they make us a far more interesting nation. Nothing wrong with them at all in my eyes

 

I'm a republican at heart, but I have to admit getting rid of them is a case of cutting your nose of to spite your face. What will achieve other than a minor wording change from 'subject' to 'citizen'? Cameron would still be the de-facto head of state, unless we're talking about major constitutional reform and giving El'Presidenti more political powers than the queen currently enjoys?

 

Besides - gullable American tourists

[Gatt]

Besides - gullable American tourists

 

Was talking about this with Mrs Gatt the other day and we pretty much said the same thing, that the Palace is one of the biggest tourist traps in the UK

Virtually all who come to the UK will end up going to London to stand outside Buckingham Palace and then they will buy the tourist tat from nearby, then go for something to eat, whilst using the tube or the buses, before heading on (or coming from) other destinations

 

Personally, I think Charles should step aside when the inevitable times comes and hand over to William

[JJonas]

still no reason for them to have any power whatsoever because of who their ancestors were and in tax terms lets be honest that's peanuts anyway

 

If you watch the video you will see that they bring in £7000 million in profit from tourism.

[jdoyle]

If you watch the video you will see that they bring in £7000 million in profit from tourism.

 

So you don't have to watch the video, the author (never heard of him but must be a 100% spot on source of data....) has the transcript on the page. Are any other sources available to verify the £7000million profit?

 

Seriously? That's the reason we have/should keep a Monarchy in the UK.... the mind boggles. Surprised the US, French, Germans etc haven't copped on to this economic windfall and .... oh, they've found other ways of generating revenues.

 

 

Visitor economy facts | VisitBritain

 

http://www.visitbritain.org/sites/default/files/vb-corporate/Documents-Library/documents/Foresight-issue_127.pdf

 

http://www.visitbritain.org/sites/default/files/vb-corporate/Documents-Library/documents/2014-2%20Types%20of%20area%20that%20potential%20visitors%20to%20Britain%20would%20most%20like%20to%20stay%20in.pdf

[tmcd35]

So you don't have to watch the video, the author (never heard of him but must be a 100% spot on source of data....) has the transcript on the page. Are any other sources available to verify the £7000million profit?

 

I'm guessing he did the math based on the source he linked to at the bottom of his page: 2014 snapshot | VisitBritain <- They'll be the official figures

[clockend25]

Sooner we get rid the better. The fact that people resort to tourism as a justification for having these unelected numpties lording over us says it all really. In any case, anything tourists are drawn here to see would still remain and in fact could be opened up further if certain squatters were evicted, making them better attractions.

 

Citizen not subject.