Being a tolerant sort, I (amongst many) was prepared to wait until Lizzy’s death before shouting a bit louder for the end of the royal parade.
Yesterday, that moment came, and it was seized in its opportunity to begin that debate. Obviously, being the UK, that debate has been completely shut down before it could start. And the UK media would have the world believe that Britain contains 75 million royal fanatics who’ve wilted like lettuce overnight after being starved of their very life-force.
The debate about the monarchy’s future will, of course, never enter the forum of democracy. It will always be ‘disrespectful’. We must all now wilt for about a year.
If anyone might be wondering why some hold Morrissey in high regard, and the monarchy in no regard, you could do worse than acknowledge the one-dimensional, blanket, representation of the UK’s relationship with the dead monarch. It’s everything Morrissey opposes, and (along with The Stone Roses) it’s what attracted me to him initially, and it’s what makes him more vital than ever right now.
Within the current North Korea style imposition of a love lie is an unseen, unelected, powerful hand. The Royal Family are not subjected to it, because they are it.
In terms of a more transparent exposure of this power, well you might want to look up the role Charles plays in selling arms in the middle-east, when he’s not accepting carrier bags stuffed with cash from sheikhs: It’s a world away from selling teapots to American tourists. Union Jack teapots also contrast with a monarchy which will be happy to play its role in incarcerating individuals who might refuse to pay gas bills and resist bailiffs this winter.
Incidentally, if anyone thinks Ashton, Droylsden and Failsworth are preoccupied with the death of the queen (as suggested in Angela Rayner’s statement) then I’ve a bridge to sell you.
Nevertheless, I dare say The Freemasons will fly flags at half-mast. And if you find yourself offended by Morrissey’s inevitable statement on the current UK charade, you might find The Freemasons are more your thing.