The Queen And Brexit

[sp1814]

What are your thoughts?

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/mar/09/palace-sun-queen-backs-brexit-ipso

Part of me totally believes that she said what has been reported, because when Nick Clegg was questioned, he responded that he "didn't recall Her Majesty making those comments."

To me, "don't recall" is political code for "Yep...it happened, but if I say I don't recall it, and in future it's proved it happened, I've got a get out clause."

Also, if the Queen had expressed support for the leave campaign, Clegg is hardly likely to admit it, right?

But the other side of me thinks that the Queen is way too careful to blab about this...especially in front of MPs!

But then the *other* part of me looks at the reports of this and can see that the papers (pro exit) are all over the place on the detail of the conversation (it happened at a lunch, no - a dinner, in front of Nick Clegg, no - Michael Gove etc)

[Old_Geezer]

I can not know the rights and wrongs but the Palace is supposed to sstay out of politics so af course they would deny the story whether it was true or whether it was false. In much the same vein Cleggy isn't going to want to confirm it either. The sad part is that even if Lizzy had that much sense, her opinion as largest welfare claimant ought not to hold any weight anyway so it's a bit of a "storm in a teacup".

[agchristie]

Sp - you sound like you are trying to convince yourself but fall short at the end of all the meanderings!

I'm not convinced at all and Her Majesty at her time of life is surely not going to lose her neutrality now is she? ;)

[sp1814]

Old_Geezer

I'm slightly leaning towards believing the Palace, because the Queen has been pretty scrupulous about keeping out of politics (apart from the stumble back in the 90s with Thatcher).

That coupled with the fact that the palace has complained to IPSO.

But then...the Sun seem very bullish on this.

Tomorrow will be interesting, as there is bound to be a follow-up story.

[tonyav]

If it's true or not I have no idea, could well be right about Cleggy '' don't recall'' though.
I'd love to know what Prince Phillip thinks about brexit though.

[sp1814]

agchristie

No...I was writing my response as you were writing yours. I'm leaning on believing the Palace, but if 0 is me completely believing the Palace and 100 is completely believing the Sun, then I'm at about 40.

[jno]

I find it very hard to imagine HM unleashing her views in front of what appears to be a mixed bunch of politicians; she's spent decades doing just the opposite. And while saying "I don't recall" is indeed a useful strategy, in case Clegg missed or misheard the odd sentence, he was pretty clear that he didn't really believe he'd missed anything so significant as a royal denunciation of the EU.

On the other hand, what Gove (if it was he) thought he heard, I don't know, though he clearly thought it was worth breaching the queen's confidence to push his political case, which seems rather bad form.

[seadogg]

The Queen is a constitutional monarch with no (official) bias in issues concerning the governance of the realm. If she confides such views to a politician who is not acting in his official role, they do not exist in the public
domain. They are nothing more than meaningless tittle tattle fit only for the redtop gutter press.

[agchristie]

Sp - I think from what are aware of at this stage you are near the mark there.

[Peter Pedant]

whether or not she did have a senior moment
her audience should know that they should not pass it on
and the sun knows it shouldnt publish

these are all well known ( blocked ) paths

I go for her maj - off with their heads !

[Ellipsis]

Clegg said on Twitter ...

Re Sun story. As I told the journalist this is nonsense. I've no recollection of this happening & its not the sort of thing I would forget

That's believable. And it's also quite unbelievable that the Queen would say it ... she's far too canny.

But I suppose the thought is out there now. Job done for the Brexiters.

[anneasquith]

Would anyone be influenced by the queen's opinion ?

[woofgang]

I think the Sun is in the poo on this one. They absolutely must have known that the Palace wouldn’t just let it go. Unless the plan is to name their informants and totally drop them in it, I have no idea what they were thinking to publish this.

[Khandro]

//Would anyone be influenced by the queen's opinion//

Yes, to an enormous extent. The Queen is ...... well the Queen

[Ellipsis]

The Queen has a lot of respect from royalists and even republicans, and represents an experienced, highly politically informed yet apolitical opinion. I think some people would take her opinion into account, if they knew it ...

[agchristie]

Khandro > Yes, to an enormous extent. The Queen is ...... well the Queen

Yes, but what's so special about Crispin Blunt's views? ;)

[david small]

Your a man of many parts sp1814.
It would be nice if the Queen stood up and declared for the UK to exit.
Ain't going to happen, but nice if she did.
I feel she would prefer exit. Just an opinion.

[jourdain2]

Agree with david small. Perhaps, since this is so vitally important and she is in a position of knowing more than we can, she needs to make her feelings clear - as she did, subtly, in the Scottish referendum.

[woofgang]

why would it be nice?

[Peter Pedant]

If she did have an opinion it would surely be

"well i am gonna be dead soon and so your proles can do...."

[ altho I am aware there is a decent chance she will live to 100 )

[douglas9401]

No need for ER II to spraff about Europe. King Spidey I will have all that covered in his first week.