British newspapers appear to be making a big story out of a recent Royal decision to take note of modern Britain.
Some Hindus and Muslims objected to the name and the insignia of an honour established by the Queen 40 years ago to recognise distinguished service in the former colony of Trinidad and Tobago. The Trinity Cross of the Order of Trinity was apparently offensive.
The Privy Council has ruled that it is unconstitutional because it discriminates.
I have little sympathy for the religious “I am offended by this therefore you must stop or change!” Such a stance gives unreasonable power to the objectors and silences any rational argument. There will always be someone who finds anything which doesn’t concur with their blinkered view offensive.
And why is only religious discomfort listened to? I suspect a few million Republicans are offended by the monarchy, but strangely the Privy Council chooses to ignore those views.
However, for me the bigger issue is the staggering hypocrisy of the decision. In using discrimination as a reason for banning the Trinity Cross, why is no-one in the Privy Council pointing out to Her Majesty that in C21st Britain it is unacceptable and illegal to promote people to jobs on the basis of birth, and that it is unacceptable and illegal to prevent people from taking posts on the grounds of gender or religious belief!
In removing the Trinity Cross the Privy Council may have picked a leaf, but a wacking great forest remains!
