rjt

When it comes to making a fool of himself there a few political leaders who can hold a candle to him, the dangerous thing is that these abstaintions have allowed him to get his hands on UK taxpayers money which he will use to further the inequalitys that already exist between Scotland and England, regretably the queen will be restrained by protocoll from mentioning this.

Britannist

In her silver jubilee speech in Westminster Hall in 1977, The Queen pointed out that she was crowned as Queen of a United Kingdom.

Labour tightened up the rules after that, making it more difficult for the Monarch to write her own speeches.

rjt

I saw a clip of that speach recently, I am sure her reamarks were aimed at the fact that legislation had been prepared for Scotish and Welsh devolved bodies, who knows what she is thinking when she meets Salmond today.

Britannist

I agree with you RJT.

I also think The Queen was aware that a referendum on devolution in Scotland was being prepared or considered at the time of her 1977 speech at Westminster Hall.

As we know, the referendum in Scotland was held (and lost by the pro-devolutionists on a technicality i.e. turnout/Yes vote not high enough to validate the result).

Smidgey

Yes, but it does not break up the kingdom - which was the point you were making. I never said anything about breaking up of the UK and its effects, so for you to reply to me about that is a straw man.

And yes, Salmond is a fool and I expect him to fail, but so far I have heard a few good things from this new administration - such as the scrapping of the tram system in Edinburgh, the scrapping of tolls for the Forth and Tay Bridges and the go ahead for the construction of a new Forth crossing (a tunnel).

NoMoreEUSSR

I think many Australians aren't too enthusiastic about the monarchy.

However, they prefer it to the alternative that was put on the table.

rjt

Indeed, but never mind Australia for the minute think of the alternative to a monarch here!!! It is enough to drive you to an ealry grave.