Says His Views Count More Than Voters’
The fabulously wealthy, uniquely privileged Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, and heir apparent Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor believes, according to a report in the Financial Times, that he brings a “unique perspective to lawmaking and could reflect the issues people raise with him personally as he travels around the country”.
The arrogant Windsor said this in what the FT called a “hit back” against criticism of his interference in government. He interferes by using his privileged status to lobby ministers to follow his policies, a benefit denied to most citizens. Recently a court ruled that letters he writes to government ministers should not be released under freedom of information laws. The attorney-general said that publishing them would undermine the pretence that the British monarchy is apolitical.
Few would doubt that a man who picks the pockets of the people for £19m a year and has servants to iron his shoelaces and squeeze his toothpaste tube has a “unique perspective”. But it is a distorted one with little connection to how life is lived in the real world.
In response to Windsor’s claim Republic pointed out that the ministers that he meets most often are ones with responsibilities that affect his personal interests rather than those such as the chancellor of the exchequer or the minister for justice..
In its report by Hannah Kurchler the FT continued it apparent policy of sucking up to the Windsors. She wrote that Charles Philip Arthur George is “owner” of the Duchy of Cornwall, which provides most of his income. She did not explain how it is, if that is the case, that he will lose the income from this public body if he become King of the UK.
Two paragraphs were given to the view of Republic, but three to a Windsor defender. Kuchler also quoted Walter Bagehot and referred to The Audience, a play dealing with the monarchy, to suggest that monarchy makes for good government. However, the Bagehot quote included this: “Its apparent separation (the monarchy’s) from business is that which removes it both from enmities and from desecration, which preserves its mystery”. The financial newspaper failed to note that this is not really consistent with an earlier reference to Windsor “managing his estate”, when that “estate” is a rather large business.
As explained in Wikipedia, Windsor “currently has no formal public role or responsibility that has been legislated by Parliament or otherwise delegated by the Monarchy”. No doubt waiting over forty years for the job he thinks he is entitled to, even an extraordinarily well-paid wait, is frustrating. But that is no justification for any more say in this country’s government than is available to any other citizen.