...And What Do You Do?

What the Royal Family Don't Want You to Know

By: Norman Baker

Narrated by: David Vickery

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

...And What Do You Do? is a hard-hitting analysis of the royal family, exposing its extravagant use of public money and the dubious behaviour of some among its ranks.

In this audiobook, former government minister Norman Baker argues that the British public deserves better than this puerile diet.

...And What Do You Do? is a hard-hitting analysis of the royal family, exposing its extravagant use of public money and the highly dubious behaviour of some among its ranks, whilst being critical of the knee-jerk sycophancy shown by the press and politicians. Baker also considers the wider role the royals play in society, including the link with House of Lords reform, and the constitutional position of the monarch, which is important given Prince Charles’ present and intended approach.

...And What Do You Do? asks important questions about the future of the world’s most famous royal family.

©2019 Norman Baker (P)2020 W F Howes

Critic reviews

"With our democracy in turmoil, it's right to be asking questions about constitutional reform. Norman Baker tackles the subject with his trademark energy and in forensic detail looking at the facts beyond the headlines." (Caroline Lucas)

A very informative book.

Although it goes into too much detail from time to time , it is an enjoyable, eye opening book. I don’t understand why some of the most popular books are not available on audio as I thought they would be. For example books by authors Samantha Markel and Lady Colin Campbell.

4685 Verses

Verses you have read many times will impact you in a new way when you hear them read aloud

Should be mandatory for all British ‘subjects’

This riveting eye-opener should be required reading/listening for every British subject. Meticulously researched, Baker’s work peels away the layers of ‘mystery’ the Royals would rather you didn’t know. With Queen Elizabeth’s tenure coming to an end, ‘...And What Do You Do?’ poses vital points if Britain is to remain relevant at all. The times they are a changing. Highly recommend.

Out of Time

This no holds barred perspective on the costs of maintaining the British Monarchy is an eye-opener. Am not British but I would seethe in anger seeing my taxes spent on lavish lifestyles of Royals with a broken moral compass. If all true, the Monarchy has indeed run out of time in establishing its' relevance in the 21st century.

Former MP dishes on Issues of Outdated Monarchy

Mr. Baker has keen insights into the ongoing issues that started long ago to protect the Royal Family from public scrutiny and review as to whether the British public is receiving value for the taxes they pay to support them. The Royal Family's wealth has increased substantially over time and yet they have only recently deigned to some income taxes voluntarily. Other issues discussed include the large number of crown properties that the public gets to pay for, the private planes the lower royals insist on using. And of course, the need to massively slim down the number of royal persons who will continue to receive financial benefits from public tax funds.

Britain needs a to get rid of its imperial monarchy and replace it with a modern one, if it chooses to keep it at all. Much will depend on how Charles III behaves and what the British public think about him and Camilla in their new roles.

Privileged Royals

To a Canadian who has always held a positive if low-key view of Queen Elizabeth II, Norman Baker's exposé of palace finances is a stunning revelation. We're often told that the queen is a wealthy woman in her own right, but the fact that she has acquired most of this wealth through the public purse is indisputable. She pays taxes, but on a "voluntary" basis, whatever that means. When Charles says that he will cover the cost of a fiasco that he has overseen in one of his charities, he does not mean from his own pocket but from the proceeds of that charity. Who and what are the mob of hangers-on who manage to draw so handsomely from the public purse that supports the reigning monarch and her immediate family?

To add insult to injury, the beneficiaries of all this taxpayer largesse labour under the mistaken notion that they are superior in every imaginable way to the subservient citizens of the realm. With the notable exception of the Queen, and Princess Anne and her two children, no one in this privileged bubble appears to hold a job or engage in any productive activity. Swanning about on the international stage does not constitute a meaningful contribution to society or the nation.

With the Queen approaching the end of her lengthy reign, perhaps the time is at last right for a changing of the palace guard. Trim the Royal enclave down to a manageable unit consisting of the reigning monarch and his or her immediate family; ditch the cousins and the aunts who cling to the ermine robes. Then explain to this nuclear Royal family that they are ordinary people who are expected to relate to other human beings in a socially acceptable manner; lose the curtsies and other outdated manifestations of so-called regal superiority.

Wow! Facinating!

As an American, the Royals have always held a keen interest of mine both of their past and the present family. The amount of research that went into this book is astounding. Lots of history
so much so that I did skip ahead a bit and that is why I gave 4 stars for the overall rating.
This monarchy cannot survive much longer as it is completely out dated and the country needs to be run by qualified leaders that are CHOSEN by its people.
I cannot understand why the country continues to allow it's taxpayers money to indulge every whim and fancy imaginable to these spoiled and presumptuous people who are living in an arcaic society. Although they have plenty of money they seem to insist on not using any of it, but rather have everything paid for by the tax payers. Exceptions are few.
Although the history is most interesting here, I found this book it's most entertaining and enlighting when references are made to the present day Royal Family.
Most of the secrets of how these people live have been stripped open . This a must read.

Very good

Very interesting subject matter, covering a very big timeline, written in a serious and funny matter where appropriate. The performer was good except in parts where there were pauses, as if he lost his line and was going through the notes to pick up where he left off. That was particularly annoying when it happened, as it often did, in the middle of delivering a punchline, which took all the significance put of it

Good information

I could have done without the Trump bashing. What business is that of yours? None.

Interesting Read

Enjoyed this and learned a lot. lots of history and current information. Great read for anyone interested in the Royal Family