[Politics] Is it time for the UK to become a republic?

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

That's wooshed me totally , as I never heard of a Zaphod Beeblebrox?
Googled him....but never watched hitch hikers at all, do you have another comparison?

Lol! My point was that head of state is ceremonial, without the ability to wield power. Zaphod became president of the universe only to find that real power was in the hands of.....someone else.

So my other point is that because I dislike Johnson I'd feel happier with him in a position where he wields no power, than where he is presently. President Johnson.

 

[Baldseagull]

Have you read Guy Shrubsole’s “Who Owns England” by any chance?

No, I will look it up though.

 

[Bulldog]

I've changed my view on this over time and am becoming more sympathetic to the republican cause, especially in the last decade where we have seen Brexit and a Tory Government living by a separate set of rules to the rest of us.

I think a sense of superiority and entitlement runs through England, the feeling that we are better people than the rest of the world. It is ultimately what led to Brexit, what enables voters to put up with Tory excess. The 'Little Englander' mentality is alive and well.

For me I hate all the royal titles, the Meghan / Harry / Andrew bullshit, the tax havens, the loopholes, the Old School tie network, hereditary peerages, the privilege, the toadying and the sycophancy, the deference, the inequity and the rights bestowed on so many simply by birthright.

I think the Queen is an amazing person but we've seen with other members of the Royal Family there are plenty of duds there, and sooner or later we'll get landed with one as King or Queen. It's no way to source a Head of State.

On balance I am therefore in favour of a republic although it would have to be done properly and not some half-arsed affair where nothing changes.

Very well explained sir, I agree 100%

 

[Peteinblack]

So currently a 'turn-out' of 101.43% - almost as high as elections in the former Soviet Union

 

[Braggfan]

I've always considered myself a Republican, but I have over the years begun to accept a lot of people do like them, and I've gradually decided I would accept them, if some changes are made.

Firstly I think it's a misconception that they have no power. Currently if there is a hung parliament and a government can't be formed, the law says that the head of state has to CHOOSE who should form the government. Obviously its never happened but its something that needs to be scrapped. It's not much a stretch to think Boris would refuse to give up being PM. I'm not saying the Queen would keep him in, but let's close any undemocratic loopholes for all our sakes.

Secondly the Queen has the privilege to preview all bills that go before parliament and is allowed to suggest ammendments. As a result the Royal family have been able to make changes to any laws that adversely affect them. That's not democratic and is definitely a form of power. So that's something that definitely needs to be scrapped.

If we remove the privileges that they have from our laws, so that they really are just ceremonial then I could stomach them for the sake of those who do want them. But the whole time they continue have undemocratic privileges that are protected by our laws, then there's no way I can support them.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

But people who have come here or bred here know our heritage, so it's their choice to live with it, just like it's our choice to live with a tory or labour government.

I dont get the constant whinging and complaining.

It appears you have an issue with the list above?

For example what is wrong with a white male Christian who likes women and has been fortunate enough to get private education?

There is nothing wrong with a white male Christian who likes women and has been fortunate enough to get private education. I tick three of those boxes.

The point is that we DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE in the matter. The Monarch is not elected. If we had a President, it would be elected and I personally would prefer that - whoever the British Public chose - to an unelected person purely and simply because they were elected!

 

[Bakero]

 

[usernamed]

I’d say that our current monarch deserves to choose the moment of her stepping down, whether that’s by handing over the crown while still alive or upon passing.

After that, I would still be happy for there to be a nominal Royal Family, but they should not receive taxpayer funds, and they should have no special access or role to play in government. Any “special powers” such as Prince Charles ability to hang onto the funds of those who’ve died intestate in Cornwall should be stripped.

I’d expect each individual member of the family to be treated with the respect they earned. They would not be head of state. I would argue against the need for such a thing.

Our current system allows the tail to wag the dog, when to my mind what we need are a government of competent administrators, rather than ideologically driven, charismatic, semi-benign dictators. Johnson has already described himself as the Fuhrer in private. (if his ex Chief Adviser is to be believed)

There’s nothing wrong with building up our diplomatic corps to effectively fulfil duties currently undertaken by our head of state. I suspect the outcome would be less pomp, less expense, greater effectiveness in achieving international aims, and broadcasting our (pre-Johnson) values to the world.

 

[Motogull]

The bellend OP missed out a compromise option.

QEII whilst not perfect has acted with dignity and promoted the UK well. She is an impossible act to follow. Charles and then the bald prince are lightweights.

The Royal family is too big and has too much. There are too many 'in lines' which is irrelevant now given medical advances and the reduced power.

I say keep but soften it right down. They don't need all those castles and palaces and yachts and trains etc.

Crazy European kings and queens live relatively normal lives while having status. Mind you, the ****ish papers like the Mail and Express would shit themselves with a pruned down monarchy.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

View attachment 148359

So currently a 'turn-out' of 101.43% - almost as high as elections in the former Soviet Union

Multi choice poll, so some people have voted in both options.

 

[Lenny Rider]

Taking the Nonce out of the equation, The Royal Family typifies everything that is good about this country. Whatever the cost to the public purse they bring far more money into the country, unfortunately due to his Mother’s amazing longevity, Charles will be in the same boat as Edward VII after Queen Victoria and probably not have that long a reign but William and Kate after him will redefine and rejuvenate the Monarchy well into the mid 21st century.

 

[Hamilton]

The bellend OP missed out a compromise option.

QEII whilst not perfect has acted with dignity and promoted the UK well. She is an impossible act to follow. Charles and then the bald prince are lightweights.

The Royal family is too big and has too much. There are too many 'in lines' which is irrelevant now given medical advances and the reduced power.

I say keep but soften it right down. They don't need all those castles and palaces and yachts and trains etc.

Crazy European kings and queens live relatively normal lives while having status. Mind you, the ****ish papers like the Mail and Express would shit themselves with a pruned down monarchy.

Bellend? Well that’s not nice.


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[Motogull]

Bellend? Well that’s not nice.


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[burnee54]

Let me stop you there.

A vote is a vote.

And just because the hard left and hard right hate Mr Tony doesn't mean we all do.

And mocking his wife's appearance is a poor look

The man is a war criminal

And of course if you don't like my remarks, then feel free to ignore them.

 

[Bakero]

Taking the Nonce out of the equation, The Royal Family typifies everything that is good about this country. Whatever the cost to the public purse they bring far more money into the country, unfortunately due to his Mother’s amazing longevity, Charles will be in the same boat as Edward VII after Queen Victoria and probably not have that long a reign but William and Kate after him will redefine and rejuvenate the Monarchy well into the mid 21st century.

Yeah, if you ignore the noncing, privilege and archaism, what's not to like?

 

[Ding Dong !]

No......much of what has been in the past has made Britain Great is because of the Monarchy and not it's not this institution that has turned this country in to what it is today( a shell of what it once was ).

Beware of the Woke's, woke culture, snowflakes ,etc etc etc and the far left I tell ya !!!!

 

[Pavilionaire]

No......much of what has been in the past has made Britain Great is because of the Monarchy and not it's not this institution that has turned this country in to what it is today( a shell of what it once was ).

Beware of the Woke's, woke culture, snowflakes ,etc etc etc and the far left I tell ya !!!!

A counter-argument to that is that it is well-documented Edward VIII was a Nazi sympathizer, and there is evidence to suggest he was colluding with the Nazis.

This is the King of the day we're talking about. Were it not for Wallis Simpson and his enforced abdication the outcome of WW2 could have been very different.

 

[Clive Walker]

No......much of what has been in the past has made Britain Great is because of the Monarchy and not it's not this institution that has turned this country in to what it is today( a shell of what it once was ).

Beware of the Woke's, woke culture, snowflakes ,etc etc etc and the far left I tell ya !!!!

can you give us some examples?

 

[Solid at the back]

Time the Country got rid of that lot, hopefully in a few years we will no longer have a monarchy looking down on the rest of us.

Knock Buckingham Palace down and put that massive space to good use by building much needed affordable housing. Only households on incomes of less than £30k pa should be able to buy one.

We don't want a monarchy anymore.

 

[kentgully]

Peanuts...