Queen is anti-democratic, says Morrissey
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ICONIC British singer Morrissey has become the latest critic of Queen Elizabeth's visit.
The former Smiths frontman -- whose parents emigrated from Dublin to Manchester a year before he was born in 1959 -- launched a scathing criticism of the royal visit, claiming the monarchy is "entirely against any notion of democracy".
In a letter to Dublin-based music magazine 'Hot Press', he called the visit "part of a new palace PR campaign to re-invent the Windsors".
He wrote: "The message from the queen will be the same as ever: who we are born to is more important than what we achieve in life.
"The full meaning of the monarchy is, like the queen herself, a complete mystery to most people.
"The queen also has the power to give back the six counties to the Irish people, allowing Ireland to be a nation once again," wrote the singer, who claimed that not doing so was "fascist".
He continued that people carrying "anti-royal placards" in the vicinity of the royal wedding were informed that they would be removed under the Public Order Act.
"The very existence of the queen and her now enormous family -- all supported by the British taxpayer whether the British taxpayer likes it or not -- is entirely against any notion of democracy, and is against freedom of speech."
Meanwhile, descendants of the leaders of the 1916 Rising have branded the queen's visit bizarre and inappropriate.
James Connolly-Heron, great-grandson of Labour Party founder James Connolly, said the historic visit is full of contradictions.
Honor O Brolchain, the grand-niece of Joseph Plunkett, said she was initially indifferent to the royal visit but now finds the idea ill-judged.
Mr Connolly-Heron said: "The places that she is visiting, the Garden of Remembrance and Croke Park -- it's very inappropriate and insensitive.
"The Garden of Remembrance honours all those who fought and died for Irish freedom and that's where the queen will be laying a wreath. But that dream has not been realised.
"There's a contradiction there. Given that the Queen of England still occupies part of this island, is it not strange that she is honouring those who fought and died? I don't think we are at the stage for that sort of recognition."
Despite her opposition, Ms O Brolchain said she would not protest and that she respects the Government's decision to extend an invite.
- Allison Bray
Irish Independent
