As we discussed yesterday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were on a day trip to Cumbria, where they did several events including a walk-about and a trip to a sheep farm. The photo-op was “Will & Kate shear some sheep” probably, but the REAL drama came when the Cambridges were chilling out in the farmer’s home and William decided to ask the important question: “Is Brexit a big concern?” Oh ho ho, look who’s suddenly *allowed* to be political!
In a No Deal Brexit, the worse case scenario for farmers, William and Kate were told in no uncertain terms, is ’absolutely dire’: 40% tariffs on sheep, a fall in exports, and an end to farming subsidies from the Common Agricultural Policy. The Cambridges nodded pic.twitter.com/KGM90LEGOS
— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) June 11, 2019
The answer to William’s question was a flat YES, because of course Brexit is a concern and of course the British economy is going to suffer in a million different ways because of Brexit. Much like Donald Trump’s unhinged trade and tariff policies, the actual Brexit and Brexit-adjacent policies of conservative politicians ends up hurting conservative voters. Farmers who voted for Trump are getting reamed by his economic policies. Farmers who voted for Brexit are getting reamed by it too. The farmer the Cambridges spoke to told them flat-out that they’re being hit financially because “their European export market drying up and the subsidies from the controversial Common Agricultural Policy drying up and not being replaced.”
At this point, Brexit has been the elephant in the room for the royals. Very few of them will even say the word “Brexit” out loud. This is not the first time William has made a reference to Brexit (whether implicit or explicit), but that doesn’t change the fact that if a certain someone had asked the same question, Piers Morgan and the editorial board of the Daily Mail would be working themselves into a frothy, unhinged and racist lather about it. Now, all that being said… it’s fine. It’s fine when William veers into something political, and it’s fine when Meghan, Harry, Kate, Charles or the Queen do it too. People should stop expecting the royal family to be these perfectly apolitical, unspeaking show ponies.
This sheep is so embarrassed right now. Ass up, shorn by a duchess. It’s like a terrible sorority hazing.
The Duke and Duchess Of Cambridge join in sheep shearing at Deepdale Hall Farm, where the Brown family have been farming in the valley near Lake Ullswater since the 1950s.
The Browns are proud of their hillfarming heritage and are keen to carry on farming in a traditional way. pic.twitter.com/7E2m09sFI1
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) June 11, 2019
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
I’m sorry, I still cant get over the fact that she changed her boots and jacket into very similar ones later in the day.
Anyway – I think sometimes Will and Kate ask questions because they have to, but the question makes them sound kind of dumb. Like asking “is Brexit a real concern”? sounds like William doesn’t know anything about it. I feel like saying “Can you tell us how specifically Brexit will affect you” or something would have been better.
Maybe her boots had sheep sh*t on them? I didn’t realize she changed jackets.
@Enn – I think she changed boots BEFORE the sheep. Which kind of makes sense, but the only reason I thought those first boots really made sense was because she was going to wear them to shear sheep lol. And the jacket change was weird because the jackets look almost identical.
ETA and I mention the boots because yesterday some of us were like “those boots may have been overkill for the events” and some people pointed out that she was shearing sheep and such, so the boots made sense. But she changed anyway lol.
@Becks1, thank you. That’s what I thought. I say there thinking there is no way he would actually ask this question. Not because it’s political, but it makes him sound stupid not ignorant, because he SHOULD know better. WOW is all I can say.
The British royal press would have gone absolutely into meltdown if Meghan or Harry uttered even the Brexit question.
If it’s a long day I can see changing to just feel fresh and clean.
It made a lot of sense to me! They had a third, embargoed engagement after the farm where they went on an actual hike with school children (and invited random people hiking the same trails to walk with them, which I thought was adorable) so Kate probably didn’t want to be in heeled boots. And she changed her coat and her shoes, two things that are easy to take on and off, and she changed into two things she already owned – it’s not like she swapped her new coat for an identical *new* coat. She switched to the Barbour that’s probably warmer, and she took off her heels, as it were.
So why not wear the hiking boots and the Barbour the entire day?
It’s not a big deal, but it is kind of odd lol.
Based on my experience of hiking in Scotland, sheep poop a lot. A spare pair of shoes was probably a good idea.
Kate is so vapid
@BECKS1
I think he framed the question well because it was asked in a way where his opinion on Brexit was not included and allowed the farmers to answer truthfully without being self conscious.
I concur Linda. His statement was not political as he was not imparting his own politics into the conversation. This was expertly done and the farmers had wonderful prepared answers.
I agree. And I for one am really happy that he asked. The framing makes it hard for anyone to accuse the Royals of overstepping the mark, but yet still gets the message out there that Brexit is going to f*ck up the economy. He didn’t have to say it himself and yet he has helped the argument. As a passionate remainer, I love him for doing this.
@Linda I don’t disagree, but Kaiser is right about how the press (and public) reacted. If Meghan has said this, they would be rioting. The double standard is ridiculous.
If Harry and Meghan asked the question, the British Royal press would have gone into incandescent rage with headlines of how dare they ask anything such!
The question, esp they way it was framed, was triggering for me as its just reeks of someone who knows that Brexit won’t directly affect them. Just recently I have been having conversations with older relatives and family friends about it and they mostly voted Leave. I asked why, they couldn’t really answer and when I asked if they understood the negative affect it would have on the younger generations they seemed clueless and refused to see that there would be any ‘long term damage’ – I thought i was going to have a rage induced stroke. These people are all retired with their own homes and nice pensions (that get topped up with the different benefits like heating allowances etc..) who will never ever be directly affected by Brexit.
I’m a contractor and its already affecting me. as the contract market in London has dipped as projects/budgets are being pulled by EU based clients/partners due to the uncertainty and the fact that we still haven’t left yet. And people wonder why I am looking to leave the UK.
Brexiters won’t rethink their attitude until it starts to directly affect them and I for one can’t wait to rub their tear stained faces in the mud when it does. Mean I know but that’s how angry their wilful ignorance makes me.
But what does William have to do with the Leavers you’re fighting with? I understand as an American who cannot fathom how blindly the Trumpers support their orange overlord to the detriment of our nation. I just think you’re conflating two things here.
I’m very sorry that this is affecting your livelihood. It must be enraging and in your shoes I’d want to throw things at the wall.
“it just reeks of someone who knows that Brexit won’t directly affect them”. Exactly.
@DU, I am with you. I am in a relatively fortunate position but I cannot understand leavers, especially the idiots who want no deal. Two weeks of no fresh food in the supermarkets and they’ll change their tune, but it will be too late.
Although gossip suggests William is more to the right when it comes to politics, the RF should definitely be on the side of Remain, if they know what is good for them. If the UK leaves the EU, political uncertainty will go on for years, not good for the RF, and Scotland will ask for another referendum.
Leave votes are right wingers and probably in support of the monarchy but the monarchy in the 21st century needs the support of a broad church, including young people.
The uncertainty over Brexit must be so stressful. it’s a terrible, terrible situation.
To be honest the weather is SO BAD here right now I’m on change 3 today….boots and coat, she was probably freezing in that first coat….which I want for myself although I’d freeze too!!
I feel this current weather is basically Brexit
First and foremost, I don’t know much about Brexit, but I do know it’s a BIG concern and important subject. Quick question to the British readers: doesn’t his question make him look out of touch, tone deaf and unsuitable to be second in line to the throne.
My hats of to Kate, I wouldn’t be able to do this. That is when I’d pull my Duchess card.
Not really. We don’t have high expectations of the Royals and their intelligence and most people won’t have been watching, caring or have known about their rural jaunt yesterday. He just asked a question he’d be expected to ask in the circumstances, tbh. Pretty much anybody would sound like a dumb0arse asking that question but he asked it and listened, or feigned listening, politely. If he’d then carried on one way or another afterwards then it would have been a bit weird.
There’s a great YouTube channel called TLDR news that does videos on Brexit and the British parliament. It’s run by a British guy who makes a point to be informative, and he really breaks down every point to be understandable to any audience. If you are interested in learning about Brexit that would be a great place to start—and his videos on British parliamentary procedure are actually pretty hilarious—it kind of sounds like the Amen Corner at black church with the Speaker as preacher. An an American I found it to be really educational!
Also, if you have HBO, John Oliver has a few good segments about it that were really informative.
Not as tone deaf as the conservatives and pro-brexiteers who refuse to acknowledge what a colossal mess they have created. I’d rather see it acknowledged than the royals pretending to be oblivious about it – particularly as they come face to face with people who are or will be affected by this ridiculous situation.
Seconded.
British readers: doesn’t his question make him look out of touch, tone deaf and unsuitable to be second in line to the throne.
To be honest with you, I think it was a good question.
Yes, it’s simple to the point of childish on the face of it, but since the country is relatively polarised into leavers and remainers, it’s actually nice to be asked questions by those in seemingly higher regard.
By asking a simple question based on polite curiousity, he’s gotten an unguarded answer. As in, farmers are worried about their futures, even those who voted for leave. As someone who should be politically neutral, it does allow his subjects to open up and listen. This is posted on social media and across the papers.
For the first time in the Daily Mail column section some leavers were actually unsure. Not to mention this is rippling through all those who read the DM, and love the monarch (as well as being older people who are relatively well off and voted leave).
The Queen started this conversation in her speech before and during Trump dinner re: partnerships and working together, and she’s even done another speech gently chiding the worsening divide in the country. Charles in his own way has had his two cents in re: politics over here in an oblique way, so I can see why Will has been able to ask about a political concern which affects us all, even the Royals. For if the Scots agitate and get independence, this is a concern re: the Queen’s castles and lands up North.
In the last referendum, the Out campaign stressed that the Queen would remain Queen of an independent Scotland. It wouldn’t affect her holdings up there.
@Tina – that was 2014. A lot of water has gone under that bridge since then.
Not with respect to the monarchy.
I was a 4-H kid. I had to use non-electric hand clippers to fit my lamb for show. I managed to do a pretty good job, even at 10. I could still probably do a pretty decent job clipping one for show, but the rusty hand sheers I used were HELL. They really built up some strength in your hand/arms though. I actually had to do an event where I had to spend a day ‘training’ one of the sheep from the island, bathing them, and clipping them before showing. It’s hard work. But I also don’t doubt they gave her some of the more docile ones.
So I mean, if anyone needs some lambs or Holstein cows washed and clipped, I’m your girl.
@Erinn I don’t know why this comment is cracking me up so much, but it is.
Lol, the visuals really help. I only top out at 5’2″ as an adult, so just imagine a tiny 10 year old having to maneuver a sheep which is like a boulder on legs, or a still pretty tiny 16 year old trying to bathe a 800+lb calf who does not want to be bathed. Even better – we used the purple shampoo on them to make the whites whiter.
Yes, great visuals. Which island were your sheep from?
Yes, it makes him look complete tone deaf and out of touch.
@Seraphina, I will try to find the link but last week there was a great video floating around on Twitter where a professor “explained” Brexit in 96 seconds in a really understandable way. I think if you do a search on Twitter for “Brexit 96 seconds” it should show up. It was good!
So he was asking frank questions about how a catastrophic issue is affecting the people in whose home he was a guest. I’m glad he did.
I saw pics and video of yesterday’s events and thought they both did well and looked genuine in their interactions. I’d be cracking up trying to shear a sheep too.
@Enn, I don’t think the question was bad. I think it could have been worded differently. I’m a lowly peasant from across the pond, who works and is focused on kids and home (since I don’t have nannies and butlers) BUT even I know it’s a big concern. Wording is everything.
Right. And by wording it the way he did, he allowed for his hosts to tell their story rather than looking like he was inserting his own opinion. Seems rather benign to me.
People are practically at each others throats on this issue in Britain. He could not just have casually stated as a fact that Brexit is a big concern without causing, at best, a minor constitutional crisis. I genuinely think the boy done good on this one.
There was nothing wrong with his question, after all, these days its the elephant in the room. My problem is with double standards, if Meghan or Harry had said it they would have been criticised forever.
I like Meghan and don’t much care for Will but you cannot compare the two in this situation and those comparing them have blinders on. Will is the future king and Meg is a recent royal and still foreign to England. With regards to Brexit, you cannot compare his asking to hers.
Princess K, exactly, the hypocrisy is telling, P
William gets kid glove treatment and no matter how he says It, it would be excused, but Harry and Meghan would have gotten barraged with nasty headlines for days, at merely asking the same exact question.
Pure Royal press Hypocrisy,
Kudos to Kate for her sheep wrangling skills. The look on her face when she got close to the twitchy sheep’s nether regions was priceless!
And even if it could have been phrased better, William did address a hot topic issue that’s foremost in everyone’s minds.
The way how Brexit is right now, I’m not surprised the Royals have to address it. From Charles doing his thing in Germany trying to shore up an alliance, and the rabid Tory candidates wanting to drag the Queen in to prologue Parliament so that we can crash out without a deal— (hello, impedending constitiutional crisis) — I’m glad that Will not is asking actually political.
With Harry and Meghan – they and the media will have to work it their issues between themselves – or not. I daresay that everything is going to come to ahead sooner than one thinks anyway, and the anti monarchists amongst us will be watching avidly.
*eyeroll* Of course its ok for the Cambridges to talk about Brexit cause they are the future King and Queen Consort but if the ACTUAL Queen and ACTUAL heir do it, the press scream about how its un-constitutional (we don’t actually have one so I don’t understand that argument) and they need to keep their noses out of it etc..
Re: the comment from the farmer. Actually the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) is the reason that most farmers in UK voted to leave. Why? Because its unfair and deeply unpopular as its geared toward subsidising larger, corporate farmers at the expense of the smaller, independent farmers. Its also responsible for over producing which has a knock on affect on climate change (species of fish are now at risk due to over fishing in certain waters).
A few facts:
– 70% of the budget goes to 20% of farmers in the whole EU (France and Spain are the top 2 in terms of the amount of subsidiaries they receive)
– Small/independent farmers make up 40% of EU farms yet only get about 8% of the subsidies (i.e. the UK, Germany, the Nordics and Eastern Europe)
CAP is a massive political red button, particularly with France who get the biggest slice of the budget due to their large corporate farmers, same for Spain.
There is reform coming on it but its not enough and there are still political hurdles to overcome (France has always fought hard against ANY suggestion of altering the current policy). Plus people need to remember that the CAP as it stands makes up 40% of the entire EU budget (at the moment that figure is 59billion Euros).
https://www.politico.eu/article/cap-reform-europe-agriculture-farm-funds-where-countries-stand-in-the-scramble/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jun/26/eu.politics1
YEP. Thank you.
@Digital Unicorn
I do get that, but this is why we’re supposed to have MEPs repping us in Parliament, but people vote for anti EU parties who haven’t shown up to vote or make a cogent argument about changing said policy. So yeah, it’s out of the frying pan into the fire with Brexit and no deal.
When it comes to CAP I have to disagree as the UK has been leading the charge to reform it for years – Tony Blair and Jaques Chirac had a famous public falling out about it as Blair is alleged to have told Chirac that the French concern for Africa would sound hollow if it blocked further CAP reform. As I said any time the EU tried to reform it France would chuck all her toys out the pram. As it is France are getting special treatment over the upcoming reforms.
I do agree that we have MEP’s who can’t be bothered to show up and do their jobs and its only going to get worse with the Brexit party bunch of muppets.
No-one ever said the EU doesn’t have flaws, some big ones, and needs a lot of reforming. The question is: How do Leave voters, farmers and others, think they will be better off outside of it? Those fairy tale deals with the US and other countries will swallow UK farming and other sectors whole; their only interest will be to sell their own goods in the UK. Prepare for cheap farming imports, prepare for the NHS being sold down the drain. The right wing and Leave nutters have sold effing unicorns to parts of the public. And anyone who thinks that a party like the Brexit Party – or whatever else Farage conjures up in the future – or the Tories is interested in making life better for small farmers, small whoevers, needs their head examined. What will happen if Brexit happens will be much worse than any current EU construct.
@Detta: i completely agree with what you say about things being much worse after Brexit, I will be and then some.
The only positive thing to come out of Brexit was the EU as whole accepting that it needs to completely reform and they have now committed to it. I want another vote on it as I think the results will be different. I see an opportunity for the UK to be a big part of reforming the EU to make it more democratic, transparent and financially efficient.
I guess the point I was trying to make was that the farmers at least had a viable complaint against the EU, whereas those who screamed about the ‘immigrants’ that didn’t have anything to back up their hysterics other than repeating what Fishface Farage spewed and whatever hateful headline the Daily Fail came up with. Polls showed, repeatedly, that the biggest reason those who voted to leave gave was because of immigrants and how they perceived them in a negative light.
@Digital Unicorn: Sounds like we are pretty much on the same page then. Yep, Farage and others caught voters with the lies about immigration and money (e.g. bus/NHS). Whereas sectors like farmers or fisherman had certain figures that can be used to argue things are not ideal for them, however, they were still being totally misled as to what they could expect from a Brexit scenario.
Sadly, we are so polarised that even asking the question as, “How will Brexit affect you” would be deemed by some to be too political. Even implying that Brexit will affect farmers (which, of course it will, it will affect everyone) would be seen to be sticking your oar in by the most rabid Brexiteers.
I think he asked the question in this phrasing on purpose. To not show ‘a side’ being taken (pro or anti). It got the farmers concerns to many papers but William didn’t make a comment either way about agreeing or disagreeing with the farmers position, just listening and nodding along. If he made a statement of agreement (ex. Yes, brexit is bad for farmers) then it would have been front page news about him being involved politically.
Agree. It’s phrased as apolitically as possible. As for implication that Megan couldn’t ask same question… No but I don’t think she should be getting into British political issues at this point anyway. Too much risk and no reward for her there. It’s not her home country so she just doesn’t have same understanding of the political interests and nuances. If I were her I wouldn’t touch brexit with a 10 ft pole. Maybe a few down the road it will be different.
Apolitical phrasing would have been asking them what their greatest concerns are, and letting them bring up Brexit if they wanted, but the specific wording of it isn’t the point and never has been when it came to blasting others “getting political.”
Asking about concerns implies there are concerns. Pro-brexit are like trump’s base, easily offended. They’d see this as him being pro-EU. But yes, he could have not asked. But i think he wanted to give voice to the farmers without getting himself in trouble. But maybe I’m giving too much credit.
I think he was probably told to ask. I don’t think it was just a random question and the farmers answered in a way that tells me they were expecting this question.
@Eliza ITA. I am the farthest thing from a fan of William’s but I do believe that it’s possible that he actually cared enough to bring it up. Things are getting so dire at this point that I can believe he’s genuinely concerned. And I usually think he’s a selfish horse’s ass.
I thought the thing was they weren’t supposed to give political opinions or take sides? Will didn’t do that here really, he asked a simple question and let the farmer argue his side, without him (Will) really having to say anything. So a technicality maybe, but a bit different than saying “I hate Brexit, don’t you?” or something along those lines.
The question should been worded differently.
I think asking if it’s a real concern sort of implies that there are some who think it isn’t, the questioner, perhaps.
This is a bit off topic, but still adjacent to the brexit conversation. Has anyone watched the netflix series Derry Girls? It’s about a group of teen girls living in northern Ireland in the 90s, during “the Troubles” and it’s so sweet because they are just living their lives while having to also deal with roadblocks and orange men. The last scene of the season finale shows the girls at their school, helping out a friend, and it’s juxtaposed with their parents watching a news story about a deadly bombing that happened right at the same time–and it made me cry. I’m so worried about what is going to happen in Ireland when brexit finally happens.
I know that the right to vote is so important, but I feel like it just hurts people when people vote without knowing anything. I don’t know what we can do to try to make people more informed
I loved Derry Girls. I was in Donegal and Derry a few months ago. The people I talked to are also very concerned about a return of the troubles if any kind of border is implemented.
The return of the troubles is very real, esp considering that the N.I. devolved parliament has basically broken down and hasn’t sat since 2017. A border will break it completely not that the leave voters care about the return of the IRA and the suffering of our NI countrymen.
I have dear friends in the Republic of Ireland and they are greatly concerned about an actual border wall as well as trade with Wales. I will have to check out Derry Girls—it sounds interesting!
I think it was a good question- he wasnt imposing his views just asking for theirs. When I heard about it yesterday I thought kudos to William actually, it’s a big issue at the minute and he was right to ask for their opinions.
The “royal reporters” shat bricks over the mere suggestion that Meghan touched anything mildly political with a ten foot pole, hell they lost it when someone claimed she’d told them that she’d followed the abortion referendum in Ireland, no proof that she actually said anything, but that didn’t matter. Harry got called out for saying veterans issues weren’t getting the funding they deserved, but sure, explicit mentions of political issues are fine for some I guess.
Exactly, the hypocrisy in the British Royal press is so obvious.
If this were Meghan or Harry the Royal press in the UK would be shouting from the rooftops
William discusses Brexit and it’s no big deal. Harry and Meghan mention LGBTQ rights and people fly off the handle. People called out Chris Ship with receipts and he tried to claim that what William did was “different” because the people he was with were doing the talking. Except. William was the one who brought it up.
I look forward to everyone saying this wasn’t political or a big deal to also defend Harry or Meghan with the same energy the next time they are accused of being political. Somehow I doubt we will.
To be completely shallow:
Does everyone remember the time when it seemed Prince William couldn’t take a bad picture if he tried? Welcome to the new reality of he can’t take a good picture if he tried. Now I feel old.
He was just listening and getting others perspective. Isn’t that what we want the Royals to do? To seem interested and in touch with what the people are going through without pushing their opinions on others. Governments will come and go. I think he did a great job in this instance. I don’t think Meghan is at fault either. Whatever commentary she made, she did it before she was a royal.
I will not drag Kate into this.
She doesn’t seems to have any opinion on anything except her clothes and children’s birthday.
But It is ok for william Since the press decide to harass Meghan because of the lack of accès to her and her baby .
One the biggest bully Aming the royal reporters « Robert jobso » said earlier that royal weren’t allowed to vote nor to express any politic views when he talked about Harry and Meghan.And the same man said this morning that William was right to talk about politic and that royal could express their political views.
It is not the first time that William talk about politic.Last time he said he was against brexit.And people dragged him.
Now that a biracial duchess is there workshy William can do no wrong.
But they can smear Meghan because of political views she expressed as private citizen.But you know it is never about race.
Kate must be relieved that you are not dragging her into this.. God forbids if Kate has her opinions that she expresses in private,as the royals do (most of the time). Not that I’m surprised coming from Meghan’s fans.
William was getting into risky territory but he really didn’t express any opinion on Brexit.
William asking about Brexit concerns doesn’t equal expression political opinions nor taking a political point of view. That is a question not a statement. That is small talk. That is what Royals are supposed to do during Royal duties.
Meghan refusing to meet Trump does equal expression a political opinion because it is a statement for which she was lauded for wrongly. And as a member of the royal family she should be more bipartisan and not express political opinions.
Trump’s state visit was considered an official engagement for the royals that did attend. She is on maternity leave. If she’s not on maternity leave when Trump visits again and she doesn’t attend, then she can be dragged. Maternity. Leave. Women on maternity leave do not show up for work. (Trooping the Color is a huge birthday party, let’s face it, for the Queen)
I think she was very lucky to not have to spend time with Trump and I do feel bad for the royals (or anyone) that have to suck it up and do their duty. But Meghan not being there was not a principled stand.
Gia: I didn’t realize you worked for Meghan and knew that she refused to meet with Trump…head back to the Daily Mail with the other Delusional Thinkers.
Thank you, Casey20. It is getting really tiresome reading comments from people who regurgitate tabloid news as if it’s truth and gospel. Sometimes the assumptions and repeated fallacies are so bad, it’s like reading Fox news comments. All a RR has to write is “Meghan did this” or “Meghan said that”, and the people who are already inclined to think the worst of her willingly and faithfully fall for the tabloid “news” hook, line and sinker. Outside of the May BP press releases related to Archie, I imagine 99% these non-thinking people would be hard-pressed to name a verifiable, legitimate source for all the speculative tabloid articles being churned out daily.
Once again William and Kate are out of their comfort zone. Never ask a question if you don’t know the answer or prepared to engage in a discussion. He asked the question and that was it. He had nothing else to say which leads me to believe it was a “set” up question to make William seem to care. I wonder if Kate knows anything about Brexit? I think Kate’s big issue of the day was showing how good she was at shearing sheep and of course the trade mark inappropriate smile…cheek to cheek for no apparent reason. Meanwhile Harry met with the PM of Nepal a potential new entry country into the Commonwealth and attended an event that raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Sentebele…
@Casey, what makes you think of Nepal as “a potential new entry country into the Commonwealth”?
There’s a long standing petition for Nepal to join the commonwealth.
Not really Casey, not one with any seriousness anyway. I know that was just a small part of your initial comment but I do so dislike when people say untrue things about my country as it is a country that most people are quite ignorant about. Unless you are a fellow Nepali of course.
I will defer to you. I’ll just state PH met with the PM of Nepal
Brexit needs a solution as soon as possible
I dunno. The Queen wouldn’t have asked such a question, but I expect it’s because she doesn’t concern herself too much with how politics affects the “little” people, so to speak. William clearly knows some things. He’s not ignorant of these things, especially since it’s very likely that he’s been raised to be aware of his political and constitutional role and would know how the system functions at least. I don’t think there’s anything really wrong with him asking these types of question–for now. I can’t see him doing the same thing going forward, when he’s either Prince of Wales, or actually King. But at least he’s trying to get some opinions from people who will be affected the most by this situation, because the politicians certainly don’t give a flying f-ck it seems.
As for whether Meghan could have gotten away with the same thing–obviously she wouldn’t have. Not only because she’s black, but also because she’s an immigrant, and an AMERICAN immigrant at that. I can just see the editorials telling her to shut her face and keep out of these things because as an American, it shouldn’t concern her. If there’s anything I’ve noticed about the British people, especially in the advent of Brexit, it’s that they’re very quick to deflect any focus on their problems using this excuse, as if outsiders aren’t affected by Brexit or British politics, or as if British politics is somehow more “advanced” than American politics, so therefore there no grounds for criticism (as if this wasn’t the country that elected Tony Blair and David Cameron, and put George Osborne in charge of the treasury).
Are you British? I’ve never heard a Brit speak in this manner. They’re usually very defensive and believes racism is to a minimum or non existent.
Are you British? I’ve never heard a Brit speak in this manner. They’re usually very defensive and believes racism is to a minimum or non existent.
You’d be defensive too if I said, as you do over and over about Brits, “the Americans are so racist,” “the Racist Americans are at it again,” etc.
And for the millionth, but undoubtedly not the last time, no one thinks there is no or minimal racism in the UK.
@Casey, “They’re usually very defensive and believes racism is to a minimum or non existent.”
So during your survey of British people that led you to this interesting conclusion, there were no British people of colour? Or do you think the real British people are all white people who don’t believe in the existence racism?
Meghan is an American, she has no place commenting on the UK’s current political climate. If she gives up American citizenship and takes only British then she can open her trap until then she needs to STFU. The only reason William is getting away with this question is because he isn’t the prince of wales yet and what he said wasn’t actually political. It was just that a question.
Yeezus, calm yourself, Jawande. Meghan hasn’t said or done anything to warrant all this huffing and puffing over something that hasn’t even happened. Maybe you could blame the ignorant tabloids for getting you all tuned up instead.
It is called double standard.