Status: 08/14/2021 5:53 p.m.
The Queen is threatened with trouble in Scotland. Queen Elisabeth’s lawyers have achieved an exception to the Climate Protection Act. This upsets some Scottish politicians.
The Queen is received with military honors in Balmoral every summer. The honor guard stands at attention. Actually the beginning of the summer vacation for the Queen. But this time everything is different. As if the affair about her son Prince Andrew weren’t enough, another scandal looms over her.
Because their lawyers have achieved an exception to the new climate protection law for their lands. It is the only one on whose land no new heating networks are being built. Andy Wightman thinks it is a scandal. He is a politician and voted against the exception rule in parliament.
The law was changed for the Queen shortly before the end. All of their lands are exempt. I think the same rules should apply to every landowner. There can be no exception just because you happen to be the queen.
An old Scottish rule
Traditionally, the Queen is politically neutral. Restraint is part of being royal like the summers in Balmoral. But according to an old rule, many laws are presented to the Queen before they are passed in Parliament. Whenever you or your property could be affected. Even if it is about climate protection, as it is now – and then also in environmentally conscious Scotland.
When it comes to the climate, a green person sees red
Guy Ingerson is from the Greens in Aberdeen. For him, the Queen has crossed a red line. “We have a climate crisis, that means we really have to do something, we have to create radical changes. And there cannot be an exception for this law or for any other climate protection law. It is crucial that we all work together.”
But does everyone really see it that way? In the neighboring town of Balmoral, where so many make their living from the Queen and tourism, there is sympathy for the Queen. Just like with Sabine Muir, the bookseller. The Queen make the rules, she doesn’t mind. Sabine Muir once worked in the castle as a teenager. Now she sells books through the royals. And many tourists also come here to see where the royals spend their summer.
Parliament is considering special treatment
Andy Wightman also calls for more transparency from the government. With first success: The Scottish Parliament wants to reconsider the special treatment of the royals. That could bring new trouble to the Queen – as if she hadn’t already had enough to do with the Andrew scandal.
Special rules for the Queen in Scotland
Christoph Prössl, ARD London, August 14, 2021 6:22 p.m.