It has been a difficult week for Queen Elizabeth II as she watched the British government become ridden of scandal and resignations, during a time of economic troubles.
- Reuters
She reportedly said she was “dismayed” by what was happening.
A former senior Palace official said: “Her Majesty has made clear her displeasure at what she has learnt. She is concerned about the effect that it is having on Parliament’s standing.
“It goes against everything she believes in.”
This all started when it came out that members of Parliament were using public funds for just about everything – pornography and Christmas decorations. This made the Queen concerned that the government – which is under her name – may lose credibility.
Then came the Speaker Michael Martin’s resignation over the scandal. The 83 year old sovereign supposedly discussed this with former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
“Isn’t it extraordinary about the Speaker?” said the Queen, according to the Daily Telegraph.
“This is the first time it’s happened since, I think, 1628.”
Thatcher replied: “Quite extraordinary, but I think it was the right thing to do. The Speaker needs to explain more thoroughly the reasons behind his decision, however.”
Now even more problems for Queen Elizabeth.
Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National Party, a right-wing group that opposes immigration and wants Britain to withdraw from the European Union, and also once serve time for inciting racial hatred in 1998, has been invited to the annual garden parties at Buckingham Palace this July. He is going by invitation of Richard Barnbrook, an elected BNP member of the London Assembly.
The Assembly is now demanding Barnbook chooses someone else.
“Unless Mr. Barnbrook brings a more acceptable guest along and doesn’t turn it into a political stunt, the invitation will be rescinded,” Assembly Chairman Darren Johnson said, according to CNN.
Even worse, it has been revealed that the Queen has nothing to do with who is invited.
“The Queen does not scrutinize and is not consulted on the list of accompanying guests, as they are official guests and not personal invitations,” said the spokesman, who asked not to be named in line with policy.
“Buckingham Palace relies entirely on the nominating organizations” to compile their guest lists, the palace spokesman added.
As problems mount within the British government, both national and local, Britons are going to look towards Queen Elizabeth to see what she’ll do. Problem is, there is very little she can do, as she has little political power.
The only hope for her is that none of the political troubles the U.K. is experiencing would be taken out on the royal family.
