A free speech campaign in support of radio DJ Tom Binns has demonstrated how monarchy can confuse patriotic impulses while denying citizens their democratic rights.
Mr. Binns was sacked by Radio BRMB in Birmingham after making disrespectful comments when an unintended feed of the Christmas speech by Britain’s feudal head of state interrupted his show. Windsor used the speech to express sadness about soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan.
Hearing Windsor’s voice the DJ said “Two words – Bor-ing”. He then joked about the beheading of a French monarch and introduced a song by a gay songwriter with the words “from one queen to another”.
The owners of the radio station said “One of our presenters made some inappropriate comments surrounding the Queen’s speech. We do not condone what he said in any way, whether said in jest or not. Tom will now not be featuring again on our radio stations.” This leaves is unclear whether the sacking was because Mr. Binns expressed democratic sentiments, because it was thought that he was disrespectful towards fallen soldiers, or both.
Mr. Binn’s behaviour seems to make clear that this contempt was for Liz Windsor and her feudal family, not for the thoughts she was expressing. But the British constitution makes it difficult for those who feel passionately for democracy and the rights of the people to give expression to their patriotic impulses. That is because where there is a feudal constitution patriotism can be confused with support for, or at least acquiescence in, that evil. Then contempt for feudalism may seem to be contempt for nation.