CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR THE MONARCHY
Graham Smith is the Campaign Manager for the organisation ‘Republic’. To find out more go to their website www.republic.org.uk or email Graham on g.smith@republic.org.uk.
“It’s time” is a well-worn political slogan, but for Republic it says it all. The monarchy is well past its use-by date: a feudal and unaccountable institution in a modern, democratic age. Now, as a number of developments converge to create a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for republicanism, Republic is gearing up for a major new campaign.
In many ways the intellectual arguments have already been won – few politicians and commentators seriously defend the principle of hereditary public office, as we have seen in the House of Lords debate. The British monarchy has largely survived the tectonic cultural and political shifts of the last sixty years because of political inertia and self-interest – and a residual sense of deference that runs throughout our society. This has, in no small way, been helped by the longevity of the reign of Elizabeth II, a monarch who enjoys high levels of personal support and affection and who, rightly or wrongly, is regarded as having ‘never put a foot wrong’.
However, things are about to change. The monarchy faces a number of challenges over the next few years, some of which will only get more acute as time passes. These challenges will present Republic with unique opportunities to push for the abolition of this absurd institution.
Firstly, the Queen is 81 and is now in the twilight of her reign. Given that the popularity of the monarchy rests on a widespread affection for the Queen it is likely that as the issue of the succession comes into sharper focus more and more questions will be asked about the institution’s future. This debate will be heightened by the much less popular prospect of Charles becoming King. With routine criticism of Charles, William and Harry in the press, it is clear the automatic respect the royals once enjoyed is evaporating fast. And of course, this will be the first succession since the end of universal deference, and the first since the advent of a more ruthless, 24-hour news media. It is inconceivable that this succession will be like any that have gone before. And this debate will not wait until the inevitable happens – it will start soon and grow louder with every passing year. Republic will be pushing that debate forward, pushing for change before the succession becomes a reality.
Looking to the Commonwealth, Australia now has a republican Prime Minister. Opinion polls for the past twelve months have all pointed to a Labor Party election victory in Australia, and it has now become a reality. The Labor Party is led by Kevin Rudd, a committed republican who has promised a second referendum on the issue of an Australian republic. This suggests that the debate will be in full swing in Australia within two to three years, with a possible referendum within three to six years. It is very likely that New Zealand and Canada will follow suit, judging from recent opinion polls. Such developments will cause a major debate back here in the UK – and will give strength to our own cause. Republic will be raising the simple question time and again – if Australia can choose their own head of state, why not us?
Back home in the UK, our own constitution is now a topic of mainstream political debate. Britain’s constitutional settlement is up for grabs, with all political parties now advocating change. The case has already been made against hereditary public office, during the Lords debate. Questions have already been raised about how all this change may affect or threaten the position of the monarchy. Root and branch reform is being proposed by some, while the Prime Minister is now advocating a written constitution. This all means two things: firstly the Pandora’s Box of constitutional reform will be open, and as the debate moves forward numerous opportunities will arise to press the point that we should be able to choose our own head of state. Secondly, as many other constitutional issues are settled during this process of reform, such as electing the upper house or writing our constitution, it will leave the monarchy as the last piece of unfinished business. This issue will begin to attract more and more attention from a wider array of constitutional reformers.
As these developments unfold, Republic will be pushing ahead with major new campaigning initiatives, geared to generating a higher level of public debate about the future of the monarchy. For us the case is clear – in the 21st century, in an age of democratic accountability and constitutional reform, Britain should rid itself of a feudal and anti-democratic institution. This is an important issue - the monarchy is an institution which lies at the heart of our constitution and it is an institution which cannot be defended by serious argument. It has no place in modern society and it must go. We believe the next few years will be our best opportunity yet to make this case loud and clear – and to move Britain toward a republican and truly democratic future.
Graham Smith is the Campaign Manager for the organisation ‘Republic’. To find out more go to their website www.republic.org.uk or email Graham on g.smith@republic.org.uk.
“It’s time” is a well-worn political slogan, but for Republic it says it all. The monarchy is well past its use-by date: a feudal and unaccountable institution in a modern, democratic age. Now, as a number of developments converge to create a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for republicanism, Republic is gearing up for a major new campaign.
In many ways the intellectual arguments have already been won – few politicians and commentators seriously defend the principle of hereditary public office, as we have seen in the House of Lords debate. The British monarchy has largely survived the tectonic cultural and political shifts of the last sixty years because of political inertia and self-interest – and a residual sense of deference that runs throughout our society. This has, in no small way, been helped by the longevity of the reign of Elizabeth II, a monarch who enjoys high levels of personal support and affection and who, rightly or wrongly, is regarded as having ‘never put a foot wrong’.
However, things are about to change. The monarchy faces a number of challenges over the next few years, some of which will only get more acute as time passes. These challenges will present Republic with unique opportunities to push for the abolition of this absurd institution.
Firstly, the Queen is 81 and is now in the twilight of her reign. Given that the popularity of the monarchy rests on a widespread affection for the Queen it is likely that as the issue of the succession comes into sharper focus more and more questions will be asked about the institution’s future. This debate will be heightened by the much less popular prospect of Charles becoming King. With routine criticism of Charles, William and Harry in the press, it is clear the automatic respect the royals once enjoyed is evaporating fast. And of course, this will be the first succession since the end of universal deference, and the first since the advent of a more ruthless, 24-hour news media. It is inconceivable that this succession will be like any that have gone before. And this debate will not wait until the inevitable happens – it will start soon and grow louder with every passing year. Republic will be pushing that debate forward, pushing for change before the succession becomes a reality.
Looking to the Commonwealth, Australia now has a republican Prime Minister. Opinion polls for the past twelve months have all pointed to a Labor Party election victory in Australia, and it has now become a reality. The Labor Party is led by Kevin Rudd, a committed republican who has promised a second referendum on the issue of an Australian republic. This suggests that the debate will be in full swing in Australia within two to three years, with a possible referendum within three to six years. It is very likely that New Zealand and Canada will follow suit, judging from recent opinion polls. Such developments will cause a major debate back here in the UK – and will give strength to our own cause. Republic will be raising the simple question time and again – if Australia can choose their own head of state, why not us?
Back home in the UK, our own constitution is now a topic of mainstream political debate. Britain’s constitutional settlement is up for grabs, with all political parties now advocating change. The case has already been made against hereditary public office, during the Lords debate. Questions have already been raised about how all this change may affect or threaten the position of the monarchy. Root and branch reform is being proposed by some, while the Prime Minister is now advocating a written constitution. This all means two things: firstly the Pandora’s Box of constitutional reform will be open, and as the debate moves forward numerous opportunities will arise to press the point that we should be able to choose our own head of state. Secondly, as many other constitutional issues are settled during this process of reform, such as electing the upper house or writing our constitution, it will leave the monarchy as the last piece of unfinished business. This issue will begin to attract more and more attention from a wider array of constitutional reformers.
As these developments unfold, Republic will be pushing ahead with major new campaigning initiatives, geared to generating a higher level of public debate about the future of the monarchy. For us the case is clear – in the 21st century, in an age of democratic accountability and constitutional reform, Britain should rid itself of a feudal and anti-democratic institution. This is an important issue - the monarchy is an institution which lies at the heart of our constitution and it is an institution which cannot be defended by serious argument. It has no place in modern society and it must go. We believe the next few years will be our best opportunity yet to make this case loud and clear – and to move Britain toward a republican and truly democratic future.
7 comments:
This does seem like wishful thinking on his part. If I were his mother I'd advise him to search for another goal in life, as he won't be seeing his dream turn into a reality in his lifetime.
He even looks disappointed in his photograph. Bless.
'Us' Canadians are routing for you down under.
He needs to get a life!
What a sad man
Can we please leave constructive comments on this please otherwise there is no point in me allowing anon's to comment here at all. If you disagree with him, then at least show it through exercising a firm argument in opposition.
I think that you are misguided. The Royal Family hold absolutely no power - the Queen's speech is written by the government of the day for god's sake! If there was an elected head of state, then would they enjoy constitutional powers that the Royal's have not? The work done by charities patronised by the Royal family is worth far more than the arguments for republicanism. I think that you'll find that people respect the Royal family far more than they do our government and assembly.
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