United Kingdom

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of the United Kingdom

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Republicanism in Great Britain is a movement in the United Kingdom which seeks to remove the British monarchy and replace it with a republic that has a non-hereditary head of state. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The politics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland takes place in the framework of a Constitutional monarchy, in which the Monarch is Head Her Majesty's Government, or when the monarch is male His Majesty's Government, is the title used by the Government of the United Kingdom, based at TalkCommonewalth realm.--> The monarchy For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II Throughout the Commonwealth realms The Crown is an abstract metonymic concept which represents the legal authority for the existence of any government Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council is a body of advisors to the British Sovereign. In the Politics of the United Kingdom, the Cabinet is a formal body composed of the most senior government ministers chosen by the Prime Minister The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political leader of the United Kingdom WikipediaManual of Style (biographies#Academic titles --> James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951 is The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all Economic and Financial Alistair Maclean Darling (born 28 November 1953 is a British Politician and Chancellor of the Exchequer since 28 June 2007 The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, commonly referred to as the Foreign Secretary, is a member of the United Kingdom Government heading the David Wright Miliband The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the United Kingdom Home Office Jacqueline Jill "Jacqui" Smith (born 3 November 1962 is a British Politician for the Labour Party. See also Lord Chancellor The Secretary of State for Justice is a United Kingdom cabinet position John Whitaker Straw (born 3 August 1946 most commonly known as Jack Straw, is a senior British Labour Party Politician. Gordon Brown is currently serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories In the United Kingdom, the State Opening of Parliament is an annual event held usually in October or November that marks the commencement of a session of the Parliament This article discusses types of Acts and the process of law-making in Parliament The House of Lords is the second house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as "the Lords" The Lord Speaker is the speaker of the House of Lords in the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Helene Valerie Hayman Baroness Hayman, PC, née Middleweek (born 26 March 1949 in Wolverhampton) is Lord Speaker of the House of Lords The House of Commons' is the Lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords Michael John Martin MP (born 3 July 1945 is the current Speaker of the House of Commons in the United Kingdom. The Leader of the House of Commons is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom who is responsible for arranging government business in the House of Commons Harriet Ruth Harman Prime Minister's Questions ( PMQs) (officially Questions to the Prime Minister) is a constitutional convention in the United Kingdom, where every Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, or the Official Opposition, in the United Kingdom is led by the Leader of the Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition (sometimes known as the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons) in the United Kingdom is the politician who leads David William Donald Cameron (born 9 October 1966 is a British Politician and the current leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of Her Majesty's In British parliamentary practice the Official Loyal Opposition Shadow Cabinet (usually known simply as 'The Shadow Cabinet' is a group of members from Her Majesty's Loyal The United Kingdom does not have a single unified Judicial system, but separate judicial systems serving England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Her Majesty's Courts of Justice of England and Wales are the civil and criminal Courts responsible for the administration of Justice in England The courts of Northern Ireland are the civil and criminal Courts responsible for the administration of Justice in Northern Ireland: The civil, criminal and heraldic Courts of Scotland are responsible for the administration of Justice. The constitution of the United Kingdom is the set of laws and principles under which the United Kingdom is governed The United Kingdom has a long and established tradition of avowed respect for its subjects' Human rights. Constituent country is a phrase used often by official institutions in contexts in which a country makes up a part of a larger entity or grouping Political history Pre-Union politics See also Parliament of England The English Parliament traces its origins to the Anglo-Saxon " Regional Assembly " is the name which has been adopted by the English bodies established as regional chambers under the Regional Development Agencies The Greater London Authority ( GLA) is the city-wide governing body for London, England. Current situation The largest party is the Scottish National Party, which campaigns for Scottish independence. The Scottish Government (SG ( Scottish Gaelic: Riaghaltas na h-Alba) is the executive arm of the government of Scotland. The Scottish Parliament ( Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba; Scots: Scottish Pairlament) is the devlolved national unicameral The emergence of a Welsh polity During the latter part of the 19th century and early part of the 20th century the notion of a distinctive Welsh polity gained credence The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG (Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru LlCC) was firstly an executive body of the National Assembly for Wales, consisting of The National Assembly for Wales (Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru is a devolved assembly with power to make legislation in Wales. General demographics Population 1685267 The population of Northern Ireland has increased annually since 1978 The Northern Ireland Executive is the executive arm of the Northern Ireland Assembly, the devolved Legislature for Northern Ireland The Northern Ireland Assembly ( Irish: Tionól Thuaisceart Éireann, Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann Semmlie) is the devolved For other meanings see Reserved powers disambiguation page In the United Kingdom reserved matters, also referred to as reserved The United Kingdom has five distinct types of Elections UK general elections elections to national/regional parliaments and assemblies elections to the European Parliament This is a list of the 646 constituencies currently represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, as at the 2005 general election This is a list of political parties in the United Kingdom. Brief history and overview Prior to the mid-19th century Politics in the United Kingdom Results Overview For events leading up to the date of the election see article Pre-election day events of the United Kingdom general Leadership of the main parties David Cameron became Conservative leader in December 2005 replacing Michael Howard. The United Kingdom (UK is a key player in international politics with interests throughout the world The European Union is a unique entity possessing elements of Intergovernmentalism, Supranationalism and a Multi-party Parliamentary democracy Information on politics by country is available for every Country, including both De jure and De facto independent The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located TalkCommonewalth realm.--> The monarchy A republic is a State or Country that is not led by a hereditary Monarch, but in which the people (or at least a part of its people have impact on its Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a Monarchic or Republican Nation-state The method with which such a head of state should be chosen is not agreed upon, with some favouring an elected president, while others would support an appointed figurehead and others still support the idea of leaving the political system as it is with the absence of the monarch.

Context

Within Great Britain, republican sentiment has largely focused on the retention or abolition of the British monarch, rather than the dissolution of the British Union or independence for its constituent countries.

In Northern Ireland, the term "republican" is usually used in the sense of Irish republicanism. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Irish republicanism (Poblachtánachas is an ideology based on the Irish nationalist belief that all of Ireland should be a single independent Republic While also against monarchical forms of government, Irish republicans are against the presence of the British state in any form in Ireland and advocate creating a united, all-island state. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world A United Ireland is the term used to refer to a sovereign state encompassing the whole of the island of Ireland. While this may be confusing, unionists who support a republic also exist. Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and

There are republican members of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in Scotland and Plaid Cymru in Wales, who advocate independence for those countries as republics. The Scottish National Party (SNP (Pàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba Scottis Naitional Pairtie is a Centre-left political party which campaigns for Scottish Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Plaid Cymru (plaɪd ˈkəmri The Party of Wales often referred to simply as Plaid) is a Political party in Wales. The SNP's official policy is that the British monarch would remain head of state in an independent Scotland, unless the people of Scotland decided otherwise.

History

Cromwellian republic

The countries which eventually comprised the United Kingdom were briefly ruled as a republic in the 17th century, first under a Council of State, then under Oliver Cromwell personally. As a means of recording the passage of Time, the 17th Century was that Century which lasted from 1601 - 1700 in the Gregorian calendar The Council of State is the name of an organ of government in many states and especially in Republics The name Council of State is applied to different Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 Old Style &ndash 3 September 1658 Old Style) was an English military and political leader best known First England (including Wales) was declared to be the Commonwealth of England and then Scotland and Ireland were forced in to union with England by the army. The Kingdom of England was a State (927-1707 located in Western Europe dating from the ninth or tenth century to the early eighteenth century when it was legally The Commonwealth of England was the Republican government which ruled first England (including Wales) and then Ireland and Scotland Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world This decision was however later reversed upon the restoration of the monarchy. Later in 1707 the Act of Union between England and Scotland was signed; the two countries' parliaments became one, and in return, Scotland was granted access to the English colonies.

Many of Cromwell's actions upon gaining power were decried by a number of commentators as "harsh, unwise, and tyrannical". He was often ruthless in putting down the mutinies which occurred within his own army towards the end of the war (prompted by Parliament's failure to pay the troops). Cromwell showed little sympathy for the Levellers, an egalitarian movement which had contributed greatly to Parliament's cause. See Levellers (disambiguation for alternative meanings. The Levellers were members of a mid 17th century English Political movement Egalitarianism (derived from the French word égal, meaning equal) is a political doctrine that holds that all people should be treated as equals and have The Leveller point of view had been strongly represented in the Putney Debates, held between the various factions of the Army in 1647, just prior to the King's escape. The Putney Debates were a series of discussions between members of the New Model Army and the Levellers, concerning the makeup of a new Constitution for Cromwell and the Grandees were not prepared to countenance such a radical democracy. Catholics were persecuted zealously under Cromwell, leading to much death and chaos in Ireland. As a Christian Ecclesiastical term Catholic —from the Greek adjective, meaning "general" or "universal"—is described Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world There was a ban on many forms of entertainment; the maypoles were famously cut down, the theatres were closed, and Christmas celebrations were outlawed for being too ceremonial, Catholic, and "popish". The maypole is a tall wooden pole (traditionally of Maple ( Acer) hawthorn or Birch) sometimes erected with several long coloured When Charles II regained the throne, he was widely celebrated for allowing his subjects to have "fun" again. Charles II (Charles Stuart 29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685 was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Much of Cromwell's power was due to the Rump Parliament, a Parliament purged of opposition to grandees in the New Model Army. The Rump Parliament was the name of the English Parliament after Colonel Pride on December 6 1648 had purged Long Parliament of those The New Model Army was formed in 1645 by the Parliamentarians in the English Civil War. Whereas Charles I had been in part restrained by a Parliament that would not always do as he wished, Cromwell was able to wield much more power as only loyalists were allowed to become MPs, turning the chamber into a rubber-stamping process. Charles I, (19 November 1600 &ndash 30 January 1649 was King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution. A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. This was ironic given his complaints about Charles I acting without heeding the "wishes" of the people.

In 1657, Cromwell was offered the crown by Parliament, presenting him with a dilemma, since he had played a great role in abolishing the monarchy. After two months of deliberation, he rejected the offer. Instead, he was ceremonially re-installed as "Lord Protector" (with greater powers than he had previously held). Lord Protector is a particular British title for Heads of State with two meanings (and full styles at different periods of history It is often suggested that offering Cromwell the Crown was an effort to curb his power, as a King he would be obliged to honour such agreements as Magna Carta under the arrangement he had designed he had no such restraints, therefore preserving and enhancing his power and that of the army whilst decreasing the power of Parliament over his actions, most likely so he could maintain a well funded army which the Parliament couldn't be depended on to provide. Magna Carta ( Latin for Great Charter, literally " Great Paper " also called Magna Carta Libertatum ( Great Charter of Freedoms

The office of Lord Protector was officially not supposed to be hereditary, though Cromwell was able to nominate his own successor.

Restoration of the monarchy

Flag of a proposed "British Republic" used by Chartists and Radicals in the nineteenth century. For chartism in financial markets see Technical analysis, and for the British socialist journal see Chartist (magazine Chartism was Sea green colours were often used by the Chartists and earlier Levellers. See also Green This article is about notable Tints and shades of the Color Green. A group of 'English republican' intellectuals used a version of this tricolour with blue at the top.

Although England became a constitutional monarchy, after the restoration of Charles II and Glorious Revolution of 1688, there have been movements throughout the last few centuries whose aims were to remove the monarchy and establish a republican system. A constitutional monarchy, or a limited monarchy, is a form of Constitutional Government, wherein either an elected or hereditary Monarch is Charles II (Charles Stuart 29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685 was the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, was the overthrow of King James II of England (VII of Scotland in 1688 by a union A notable period was the time in the late 18th century and early 19th century when many Radicals were openly republican. The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar For opposition to all forms of government social hierarchy or authority see Anarchism.

During the later years of Queen Victoria's reign, there was considerable criticism of her decision to withdraw from public life following the death of her husband, Prince Albert. Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland However this did not translate into clear support for republicanism. Most of the criticism was dismissed when she came out of mourning and returned to public life.

Prohibition of republican advocacy

Parliament in 1848 passed the Treason Felony Act. The Treason Felony Act 1848 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom (11 & 12 Vict This act made violation of the law punishable by lifetime imprisonment, even if such advocacy were by peaceful means. The law remains on the books. ^[1]

21st century

The monarchy is still popular in the UK, though a vocal minority of the British public is opposed to it. Opinion polls in the recent past have put support for an elected head of state at between 15 to 25 per cent, with the most recent MORI poll in 2006 showing support for a republic at 18 per cent The Guardian newspaper approached the Attorney General in 2001, inquiring as to whether it would be prosecuted if it ran articles on the topic of whether British voters would have the right to chose a republic. Ipsos MORI is the second largest survey research organisation in the UK formed by two of the UK's leading companies in October 2005 The Guardian (until 1959 The Manchester Guardian) is a British Newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. Her Majesty's Attorney General for England and Wales, usually known simply as the Attorney General, is the chief legal adviser of the Crown in England and Wales The Attorney General refused to comment, so The Guardian published the articles anyway, then sued him. In 2003 the House of Lords found that the section of the 1848 Act prohibiting advocacy of republicanism is invalidated by the Human Rights Act 1998, furthermore, they found "that no Attorney-General or Director of Public Prosecutions would or could authorise a prosecution for such advocacy without becoming a laughing stock". The House of Lords is the second house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as "the Lords" The Human Rights Act 1998 is an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom which received Royal Assent on 9 November 1998 and mostly came into force However, they blasted The Guardian for bringing "unnecessary litigation . . . in order to obtain obvious results". ^[2]

Supporters

Lobby groups

The largest lobby group in favour of republicanism in the United Kingdom is the Republic campaign group, founded in 1983. Republic is a British republican organisation wishing to replace the monarchy with what it calls "an elected Head of state " The group has benefited from recent negative publicity about the Royal Family, and Republic has reported a large rise in membership since the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles. In June 2006 the group handed in a petition of over 3,000 names to 10 Downing Street calling for a serious national debate about the future of the monarchy.

The Centre for Citizenship has a broader view of republicanism, which include a fully elected second chamber of parliament, abolition of the official honours system and disestablishment of the Church of England.

Political parties

At present, none of the three major British political parties have an official policy of republicanism. However, there are individual MPs, usually from the Labour Party (that has roots in the anti-monarchist movements of the late 19th Century), who favour an abolition of the monarchy. The Labour Party is a Political party in the United Kingdom. Founded at the start of the 20th century it has been since the 1920s the principal party of the These include Tony Benn, who in 1991 introduced a Commonwealth of Britain Bill in Parliament; Roy Hattersley; Leanne Wood (A Plaid Cymru Welsh Assembly Member) and Norman Baker MP (a Liberal Democrat). Anthony "Tony" Neil Wedgwood Benn (born 3 April 1925 formerly 2nd Viscount Stansgate, is a British Socialist Politician. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. The Commonwealth of Britain Bill was a Bill first introduced in 1991 by Tony Benn, then a Labour Member of Parliament in the House of Commons The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories Roy Sydney George Hattersley Baron Hattersley, PC, (born 28 December 1932 is a British Labour Party Politician, published author and journalist Leanne Wood, born in the Rhondda, Wales, in 1971, is a member of the National Assembly for Wales, representing the South Wales Plaid Cymru (plaɪd ˈkəmri The Party of Wales often referred to simply as Plaid) is a Political party in Wales. Norman John Baker (born 26 July 1957) is a British politician The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal Political party in the United Kingdom, formed in 1988 by merging the

Outside Parliament, well-known contemporary republicans include journalist and author Claire Rayner; actress Honor Blackman; author Benjamin Zephaniah; and Michael Mansfield, QC. Claire Rayner OBE (born Claire Berenice Berk, 22 January 1931) is a English Journalist best-known for her role for Honor Blackman (born 22 August 1925) is an English actress, who is perhaps best known for the roles of Cathy Gale in Benjamin Obadiah Iqbal Zephaniah (born 15 April 1958, Coleshill Birmingham, England is a British Rastafarian writer and dub poet Michael Mansfield QC (born 12 October 1941) is a well known English Barrister. Queen's Counsel ( postnominal QC) &ndash known as King's Counsel ( KC) during the reign of a male sovereign  &ndash are

The Scottish Socialist Party advocates Scottish republicanism, organising the republican rally at Calton Hill on the official opening of Holyrood by the Queen. This article deals with the Scottish Socialist Party that was formed in 1998 and is still active today The Declaration of Calton Hill was a declaration calling for an independent Scottish Republic.

Arguments in favour of a republic

The benefits of a republic

Republicans feel that a republic is the next logical step of a historical process of gradual democratic reform. ^[3] They assert that the British people will excel within a non-hereditary democratic and open system for selecting the head of the executive branch of government as well as the head of state.

"The new office of President would represent a new political culture - social inclusiveness would replace social hierarchy, mutual respect would replace deference, genuine intellect would replace the spurious wisdom of princes. Pompous titles, counterfeit 'generals' and royal chancellors of universities would be consigned to history. The current system of honours would be simplified and modernised and based only on merit. "^[4]

Such a system, argue republicans, would advance the egalitarian cause of meritocracy, and create a political consciousness less connected with social class or birth. Meritocracy is a system of a government or another organization wherein Appointments are made and responsibilities are given based on demonstrated talent and Ability Every child growing up in a British republic, from whatever background, would know from an early age that they too could aspire one day to becoming Head of State themselves. ^[5]

Arguments against monarchy

Republicans generally assert that hereditary monarchy is the ultimate symbol of unfairness and elitism. They claim that in a modern and democratic society no one should be expected to defer to another simply because of their birth. Such a system, they assert, does not make for a society which is at ease with itself, and it encourages attitudes which are more suited to a bygone age of imperialism than to a "modern nation". Some claim that maintaining a privileged royal family diminishes a society and encourages a feeling of dependency in many people who should instead have confidence in themselves and their fellow citizens.

Further, republicans argue that 'the people', should be sovereign, not the offspring of one family retained at public expense to occupy the nominally top job in a state system, permanently.

• Monarchy denies the people a basic right

Republicans argue that it should be a fundamental right of the people of any nation to elect their Head of State and for every citizen to be eligible to hold that public office, and that such a Head of State is more accountable to the people. The right to choose one's leaders is the sine qua non of pure democracy.

• Monarchy devalues a parliamentary system

Ceremonial parliamentary events can include a mass of obsolete customs and out of date procedures to enhance the appearance of legitimacy. Monarchical prerogative powers can be used to circumvent normal democratic process with no accountability.

• Hereditary monarchy is racially discriminatory

The monarchs themselves can only represent a single race by virtue of being from the same family; if the royal family are exclusively white, then - unless they were to marry people from other ethnic backgrounds and have children with them - only white people could be the Head of State. White People is the second album by Handsome Boy Modeling School.

• Monarchy is religiously discriminatory

If the Monarch is the Head of the Church of England, that implies that all other religions are not endorsed by the Head of State. The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Only a Protestant may inherit the Crown, and anyone who has professed Roman Catholicism, or has married a Roman Catholic, is prohibited from succeeding. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. It is also argued that having an Anglican head of state is unrepresentative of a nation where the majority of citizens are non-religious. The UK is one of the most secular and religiously apathetic countries in the world, yet has a Christian head of state.

• Monarchy is gender-discriminitive

The British Royal Family uses male primogeniture, which means that the crown is inherited by the eldest son, and is only passed on to a daughter if the monarch has no sons. Primogeniture is the Common law right of the Firstborn son to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings Thus the monarchy is sexist because it denies females the same rights as males. If absolute primogeniture is used instead of male primogeniture, then the crown will be passed onto the eldest child, irrespective of gender so that daughters can enjoy the same rights as sons. However since absolute primogeniture is not used in the UK, females are less likely to become head of state than males. This method of succession not only disinherits daughters, but also her descendants.

• A monarchy demands deference

It is argued by Republicans that the very way citizens are supposedly required to address a royal family, even the most junior members, is part of an attempt to keep subjects 'in their place'.

• It is the enemy of merit and aspiration

The order of succession in a monarchy dictates that only a few people have the capability of being the Head of State. This is anathema to meritocracy, and promotes aristocracy. Meritocracy is a system of a government or another organization wherein Appointments are made and responsibilities are given based on demonstrated talent and Ability Aristocracy is a form of Government, where rule is established through an internal struggle over who has the most status and influence over society and internal relations They argue that the vast majority of common people, not being members of the aristocracy, are discouraged. The highest titular office in the land is not open to "free and fair competition".

• It devalues intellect and achievement

Republicans argue that Royals bolster their position with unearned symbols of achievement. Examples in the UK might include the Queen's many honorary military titles of colonel-in-chief. ^[6] The Queen's sole military experience, though honorable and bold for its day, was as a driver and a mechanic. There is debate over the roles the members of the monarchy have played in the military, many highly doubt that members of the royal family took any part on the front line for any length of time. It is seen to some as more of a PR exercise then military service. It is also seen that members of the royal family are fast tracked to higher ranks in the army. ^[7]

• It harms the monarchs themselves

Republicans argue that a hereditary system condemns each heir to the throne to an abnormal childhood. This was historically the reason why the anarchist William Godwin opposed the monarcy. William Godwin ( 3 March 1756 &ndash 7 April 1836) was an English journalist political philosopher and Novelist Johann Hari has written a book God Save the Queen? in which he argues that every member of the royal family has suffered psychologically from the system of monarchy. Johann Hari (born January 21, 1979) is a British Journalist and Writer. ^[8]

• Monarchs are not impartial, and lack accountability

Republicans argue that Monarchs are not impartial but harbour their own opinions, motives, and wish to protect their interests. Rather than feeling comforted that monarchs are impartial by their freedom from election, Republicans claim that monarchs are not accountable. As an example, though he has clarified that he will avoid "politically contentions" issues, republicans argue that Prince Charles has spoken or acted in a way that could be interpreted as taking a political stance, citing his refusal to attend, in protest of China's dealings with Tibet, a State Dinner hosted by the Queen for the Chinese Head of State; his strong stance on GM food; and the contents of certain memos regarding how people achieve their positions which were leaked to the press. ^[9][10][11]

While monarchists tend to feel that an impartial advantage is gained by various aspects of the civil service reporting into the Crown, (see example of police below), republicans see a lack of important democratic accountability and transparency for such institutions.

• The Monarchy is expensive

Republicans claim that the total the hidden costs (e. g, the Royal Protection security bill) affiliated to the monarchy in fact lands the taxpayer with a bill of over £100 million per annum. Furthermore, they challenge the crown in their use of every child, infant and pensioner when dividing the cost amongst taxpayers. ^[12]

• The Monarchy makes the UK look backwards

Republicans argue that the monarchy may be considered an embarrassment, as a concept it is dated and while the UK has a hereditary head of state it can not claim to be a modern nation.

Arguments in favour of constitutional monarchy

• Provides an impartial arbiter

Monarchists argue that an impartial, symbolic Head of State is a step removed from political, commercial, and factional interests, allowing them to be a non-partisan figure who can act as an effective intermediary between various levels of government and political parties, an especially indispensable feature in a federal system. A federation ( Latin: foedus, covenant is a union comprising a number of partially self-governing states or regions united by a central ("federal" The fact that this body holds all executive authority is seen as a bonus by monarchists, who state that the Crown is a guarantor against the misuse of constitutional power by politicians for personal gain. Throughout the Commonwealth realms The Crown is an abstract metonymic concept which represents the legal authority for the existence of any government This view of the monarchy could have developed after Oliver Cromwell's Republic which eventually became a military dictatorship, there has been little desire to attempt a republic since. Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 Old Style &ndash 3 September 1658 Old Style) was an English military and political leader best known Furthermore, monarchists assert that honours systems like the French Legion of Honour may not be as politically impartial as they feel that a monarch is.

• Provides a focal point for unity and tradition

Monarchists argue that a constitutional monarch with limited powers, and ostensibly non-partisan nature can provide a focus for national unity, national awards and honours, national institutions, and allegiance, as opposed to a president, who, due to the election process, would cause a relative amount of division between his or her supporters and detractors. A constitutional monarchy, or a limited monarchy, is a form of Constitutional Government, wherein either an elected or hereditary Monarch is

• Provides links with other states

Monarchs tend to be linked with the monarchs of other nations, or in the case of the Commonwealth Realms, one person is the Head of State separately for each nation.

• The Church

The Queen is, by notoriety, the Head of the Church of England and plays quite an active part within this role. The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican The days are gone when Catholics, or followers of non-Christian religions, would be persecuted by The Crown as traitors and heretics.

• A separation from government duties (in figurehead monarchies)

Monarchists argue that separating the Head of State from the Head of Government (the Prime Minister), offers some advantages. But it is unclear if a system like that of France, wherein there is a separate president and prime minister would have the same advantage, it being possible that having both an elected president and prime minister could lead to the two coming to odds over who holds more authority; each could claim to be "elected by the people". This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics.

• Offers a bridge to non-governmental organisations

Monarchists argue that in a limited, constitutional monarchy the monarch is able to give impartial non-political support to the work of a wide range of different types of organizations, faiths, charities, artists, craftsmen, etc. It is difficult to prove that the support of the Monarchy is politically impartial, but it is easily documented that monarchs have supported charitable causes and NGOs. Another legal example could be the role of the Police in the UK, where the Police are occupy of the Office of Constable that are there to protect the Queen's Peace. As a result, it effectively means they are servants of the Crown and not servants of the government. This allows them to be completely impartial of the government, thus separating the administration of justice from the government. In practice, however, the reigning monarch exercises little or no power of control over such institutions, which are, therefore run by the government, for the people.

• Monarchies have staying power

Monarchists argue that Constitutional Monarchy creates a Head of State that is under the democratic control of Parliament but does not rotate and change on a short term basis. In the days of absolute monarchies however, there were certainly tumultuous periods with multiple monarchs. Perhaps the examples of Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, and Queen Mary I would serve as an example of 3 monarchs in 11 years. Edward VI (12 October 1537 &ndash 6 July 1553 became King of England and Ireland on 28 January 1547 and was crowned on 20 February at the age of nine Lady Jane Grey (1536/1537&ndash 12 February 1554) also referred to as Queen Jane, a greatniece of Henry VIII of England, was a claimant Mary I (18 February 1516 &ndash 17 November 1558 was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from 19 July 1553 until her death However, modern Constitutional Monarchs, such as that in Denmark, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have had monarchs that have had many Prime Ministers, but only one Monarch during a given span of time.

• Discrimination?

Republicans have argued that the existence of a monarchy or even an aristocracy amounts to snobbery and that one should not be placed in power purely because of inheritance and without any qualifications or legitimacy to hold it. However, a Monarchist might counter that the loss of a monarchy would do nothing to diminish discrimination, and point towards the presidency of George W. Bush in the United States or even Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan partly on the grounds that their fathers were noted politicians before them as testimony to the fact that a person can and will be placed in power on unfair grounds with or without the presence of a crown. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Benazir Bhutto ( Sindhi: بينظير ڀٽو Urdu: بینظیر بھٹو beːnəziːɾ bɦʊʈːoː (21 June 1953 &ndash 27 December 2007 was a Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and

• No divisive elections

Constitutional Monarchists argue that where elections are not needed they are only divisive, and that the head of state need not be elected. This relates to the first argument that they are impartial and are figures of unity that people from all sides of the political spectrum can unite behind.

• The Royals are cost effective

The annual expenditure, since June 2005 has been a total of £36. 7 Million^[13] or approximately 61 pence per person. When compared to the relative size and the duties that the Royal Family perform, this is significantly more cost effective as their only job duties are the meeting of foreign dignitaries, attending events and ceremonial events, to which they devote the majority of their time. In most states with a presidential system, the duties are divided between political and ceremonial responsibilities resulting in less time for both.

Other considerations

Meritocracy vs aristocracy

The heir to the throne, Prince Charles, has been criticised for writing a private memo on ambition and opportunity. ^[14] This memo was later leaked, and widely understood to criticise meritocracy for creating a competitive society, which republicans took as proof that the head aristocrat, and symbol of monarchy, was attacking meritocracy and the motivation of the common man towards greater achievement. In humorist Lynn Truss's critique of British manners entitled Talk to the hand,^[15] Charles's memo is evaluated with respect to the putative impact of meritocracy on British boorishness. Lynne Truss (born 1955) is an English writer and journalist who was born in Kingston upon Thames. Truss came to the conclusion that the prince might have a point, that the positive motivational impact of meritocracy might be balanced against the negative impact of a competitive society.

Famous Advocates of Republicanism in the UK

• Arthur Scargill, Former trade union leader, leader of the Socialist Labour Party
• Paul Heaton, Singer (former member of The Housemartins and The Beautiful South, noted for anti monarchist lyrics
• Tony Benn, Former MP
• Norman Baker, MP
• Honor Blackman, Actress (Pussy Galore in Goldfinger)
• Russell Brown MP
• Jo Brand, Comedienne
• Jeremy Corbyn, MP
• Roy Hattersley, Former MP, Member of the House of Lords
• Kevin Hopkins, MP
• Brian Iddon, MP
• Ian Davidson, MP
• Bill Ethrington MP
• Sue Townsend, Author (wrote the best selling Political Satire The Queen and I in which Britain becomes a republic
• Michael Mansfield, QC
• Claire Rayner, Journalist
• Will Self Journalist
• Richard Littlejohn, Daily Mail columnist
• Edward Pearce, Daily Telegraph columnist
• Brian Reade, Daily Mirror columnist
• Johann Hari, The Independent columnist
• Mick Hume, Times columnist
• Nick Cohen, Observer columnist
• John Cole, Former BBC political editor
• Benjamin Zephaniah, poet (publicly refused to accept an OBE in 2003)
• Joe Canter, Television comedy script writer
• Mark Steel, Comedian
• Morrissey, Musician

^[16]

See also

• Republic
• Commonwealth Realm
• Commonwealth Republic
• Constitution of the United Kingdom
• Constitutional Monarchy
• Elective Monarchy
• Golden Jubilee
• International Monarchist League
• Republic, The Campaign for an Elected Head of State
• Republicanism in Australia
• Republicanism in Canada

External links

• Republic
• Throneout
• New Chartists
• Centre for Citizenship
• Movement Against the Monarchy
• International Monarchist League
• Monarchy Wales
• British Republic
• Res Publica: Britain international anti-monarchy Web directory

References and further reading