I don't really give a stuff whether they are a net asset or not, they have no place in a modern, progressive, democratic counrty in the 21st Century.
1. There is no alternative whinge some. - There are plenty of modern countries that do not have a monachy.
2. What will the tourists gawp at, whinge others. - Castles, countryside, architecture, punks, us...etc.
3. We have had them for thousands of years. - We also had Cholera and typhoid but we got rid of them. It is called progress.
4. Who will be the patron of our pet charities - Jeremy Fcuking Beadle, Jimmy Tarbuck, anyone.
5. They employ a lot of people. - So did the shipyards and coalmines. I'm sure the lackys can re-skill.
And I'm sure Barry Humphies would pose for the postage stamps.