American President Donald Trump has dashed any hopes that Prince Harry and his ultra-woke wife Meghan might have had that the US taxpayer would pay for their security now that they have effectively walked away from Britain’s Royal Family. Mr Trump has expressed his love and support for Her Majesty the Queen, but has told the world that there was no way that the United States would fund the couple’s personal security.
This is the correct decision for the President to make. Whilst they are indeed high profile and were at one time considered as ‘Internationally Protected Persons’ due to their status, now that they have become private citizens, the taxpayer, whether that be from the USA or the UK or Canada, has no obligation to pay for their security.
I do not challenge the claim that Prince Harry and Meghan require security, but as they’ve chosen the path they have, as private citizens they should be expected to pay for that security themselves. I also do not dispute that the need for national governments to protect foreign dignitaries, leaders and diplomats including members of Royal Families. But as Prince Harry and his wife have, by their own decision, no longer any connection with the Royal Family and its duties, there is also no obligation for any government to pay for protection.
Well done Mr President. Another good decision by Mr Trump.
In an earlier article regarding the “Neville Awards”, you mentioned “Lord” Ahmed*, “Lord” Dyson*, and Ed Milliband as potential recipients of this award for especially-egregious islamopandering – does this make them “The Three Mosqueteers” ?
* How can anyone respect a system that awards political peerages to creatures like Archer, Chakrabarti, Mandelson, Prescott etc. The country was vastly better served by the genuine hereditary peers, some of whom at least had a sense of duty towards their country and countrymen.
Some good points there. Whilst I accept that the creation of Life Peers invigorated an upper house that had become a bit moribund in the late 1940’s / early 50’s and I agree with the idea of enobling those who have given great service or who are experts in their fields, there have been far too many political enoblements for my liking. I certainly agree that the hereditaries probably did a better job of being parliamentarians than some of those that you ‘ve mentioned. I do believe that the HOL needs to be reformed but not by making it an elected house (which will just bring conflict with the HOC) but by repairing the damage that Blair did by chucking out the hereditaries. I’d like to see many of the hereditaries come back and some of the more politically appointed life peers replaced by ordinary British subjects chosen by lot who serve if they wish for a period of ten years.
I think Harry and Meghan will be fine. I am sure they will earn enough to pay for their own security. Like it or not Harry (more than Meghan) remains hugely popular worldwide and should be able to follow his dreams. I think, quite rightly, Harry doesn’t want to expose his child (future children) to the interest of the public that he had as a child so I think this is the correct way to go. Their earning potential is endless so it wouldn’t be too hard to pay for their own security. Good on them.
Regarding the Lords, why not have two categories. A non-executive peerage which honours political and civil (un)service apparatchicks but has NO seat or Vote in the Lords. And a smaller, restricted group of executive peers who will sit in the House of Lords? I haven’t considered the details in more depth but we need a culling of the Lords. Mr Trump has made the correct decision after Harry & Meghan left their duties, they are not due the privileges they once had.
That is indeed an idea that might work. It would allow those who have worked in the machinery of government to be rewarded but not have any undue influence. Maybe they could be allowed a seat in the Lords but not a vote? I personally would favour trimming some of the political and party donor members of the lords, maybe by removing voting rights in the House and use this space for additional members to accomodate some of the hereditaries purged by Blair and the creation of a new class of peer, maybe call them ‘Thaines’ – a thain was historically not quite an aristocrat but then not quite a peasant either – chosen by random selection from the voters reg and who will serve, if they want to and are able to, for a ten year period.