Monarchy vs Republic in the UK

You Poppy - pretty straightforward.

Well, being elected, rather than produced, that would help :wink:

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I would agree - complaints are made about “the cost of the royals” as justification for doing away with the monarchy but I suspect that the cost of a president, their staff, offices and security would not leave you with much change from the cost of running the royal family, it might even leave you out of pocket.

If you want a purely symbolic head of state, who would want to do that job. It’s pretty demanding - the current royal family clearly has a strong sense of duty, would an elected official feel the same sense of loyalty. Especially doing a mostly thankless task where they can be “got rid of” if they do not please some fickle electorate.

It is pretty likely that candidates would be backed by the existing political parties who would demand party loyalty.

If you wish to set up a head of state who wields real rather than symbolic power then you have to work out how it all fits together.

Similarly if you want to reform the House of Lords, perhaps replacing its members with elected participants they might not unreasonably want real influence, not being limited to the ability to gently suggest small changes because anything more radical risks outright rejection by the Commons.

I’m not especially against the royal family - but I’m not especially for them either. However I am pretty sure that replacing them and setting up a republic is much, much more difficult than supporters of such a change claim. We have seen from Brexit that it is simple to claim something will be as easy as falling off a log with no downside but rather harder if your bluff gets called - and we have only seen the tip of the iceberg where the complexity of Brexit is concerned.

So, I’m with Tim - it ain’t broken enough to be obviously in need of fixing, and of you do want to tear it down and replace it, you had better be damn sure that what you set up is better than what we have now.

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I did not say that, please do not put words into my mouth.

If the Royals have only ‘symbolic’ power,
Then what use are they???, we quite simply simply don’t need them.
They are totally ‘Useless’.
In the true sense of the word!

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To quote you Poppy " Obviously anyone who lives in France must be happy living in a Republic to the extent so many say they prefer it and never want to go back to the UK that has it’s monarchy".

Where are these so many who say they prefer a republic to the monarchy ? I am here because I love France, nothing to do with it being a republic, and I wouldn’t go back to the UK, again nothing to do with the Royal Family, who IMHO do a great job and don’t need replacing !

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So you’d be happy for the UK taxpayer to foot the cost (billions) just to have a elected head of state?

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I suspect this argument is like the pro/anti abortion one. Whichever side you’re on you’ll probably never-whatever the arguements-change your views.

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I believe there is one area in which they are actually very useful Bill. And that’s charity. Because of their position and influence they do an enormous amount for charity. You only have to look at The Prince’s Trust (no matter what you think of Charlie boy) to see the the incredible help given to young people to start businesses etc. Consider what Diana did for AIDS and homelessness and, more recently, what William and Harry are doing for mental health. There are so many other projects as well. It’s also worth mentioning the Invictus games for disabled ex-service men and women which Harry was instrumental in creating.

I imagine (all though I’ve no figures) that they create more for charity than they cost.

Catholic/protestant, remain/leave, socialist/capitalist, alternative/conventional, Emacs/vi1 - take your pick, there are any number of issues about which people form diametrically opposed views.

This is not to say debate is without merit, although it can be difficult to avoid generating more heat than light.

[1] - free geek points to anyone else who knows what that one is about

I did not say anything about Royal power (or lack thereof) but opined that if the “elected” head of state were purely (or nearly) symbolic with limited powers it didn’t sound like a great job to me.

I think that the Royals are useful but, like membership of the EU, a lot of that use is not apparent to the wider public.

Now, depending on your point of view you mught say that is exactly the problem with the Royal family and why it needs to be replaced/modernised - however I just don’t see any advantage in the upheaval.

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You have not understood what I was saying so I will re phrase it.

I find it ironic that obviously anyone who lives in France must be happy living in a republic (which France is), to the extent many say they prefer living in France and never want to go back to the UK (which has a monarchy).

I hope that is clear enough for you to understand. If it isn’t then I will just shake my head in wonder.

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Tangible benefits of ditching the monarchy and becoming a republic anyone?

People will be able to elect their Head of State :smiley: Not ‘support’ a Dynasty :roll_eyes:

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An unelected dynasty at that !

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How will that benefit the UK?

Can’t just think of any.

Will the electors be the same people who voted for Brexit?

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ :wink:

Can you not even try to come up with a few benefits?

Can’t be bothered, addressing ‘deaf ears’, roll on ‘La Republique’ :+1: :grinning:

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