A Royal Referendum - How would you vote?

[Nikhedonia]

I know that this wouldn't be how it would work, but please humour me

If there was a referendum where the options were to either keep the Royal Family or get rid (after the Queen dies) how would you vote?

(Ignoring the fact that this isn't how it would work and if Brexit has gone like this, doing a deal with the Royal Family could be just as painful)

I'm genuinely not sure how I'd vote.

Our parliment doesnt work like that. Hence why I mentioned I'm Canadian. Figured I'd give the Commonwealth perspective, since she's our Queen too.

I do find their wealth obscene, especially as 'we' paid for it and the country is struggling on so many levels with cutbacks etc.

But they are absolutely priceless diplomatically. So it's a massively pared down from me.

Keep.

Get rid. None of it has a place today, for me anyway.

Oh yes of course. Apologies didnt think of that. I always assumed because she is a figurehead and ambassador here that her role was similarly ceremonial across the commonwealth.

Has the queen ever stepped in to break a deadlock in Canada? I think in this country if she actually overruled our elected representatives, there might be serous discussions about abolition.

Keep

How does it work to have a head a state that is not resident? Wouldn't it be better for Canada to have a person on the ground in that role?

Keep. I'd outlaw curtsying though. I don't mind a royal family being in the employ of the British people and having a Head of State. But I don't agree with this blue /royal blood nonsense and them being better than everyone. Not least the ones who've married in.

Has the queen ever stepped in to break a deadlock in Canada?

No. "She" or, more likely, the Governor General on her behalf, will dismiss Parliament and call an election in the face of a disagreement that can't be resolved.

That's what I mean by "rubber stamping" the Queen/Governor General would never weigh in on a disagreement, other than to do these procedural things. If we were to get rid of her, we would have to either re-work our government, or elect a President that may expect actual power.

How does it work to have a head a state that is not resident? Wouldn't it be better for Canada to have a person on the ground in that role?

She appoints a Governor General (suggested by Parliament). It's an honorary role and they fulfill her duties in country when she cannot.

Keep

Get rid.

Off they go but I'll let them keep their estates/money but the stamp and art collections/Crown Jewels etc stay with the country

Keep but a streamlined version.

Get rid

Get rid. I don't understand the tourism argument. If Buckingham Palace turned into a museum, you could chathe people to look around. I think there would be more tourism if we got rid of them all.

Get rid. I get they appeal to tourists and they have diplomatic clout but monarchy should have no relevance in a modern democracy. Other countries manage to do tourism and diplomacy without a royal family and so can we. We should scrap the whole bloody aristocracy to be honest. Get rid of hereditary titles and take into public ownership the swathes of land that currently belong to the privileged few for no other reason than their distant ancestors kissed the right royal arse or ordered their peasants to slaughter a sufficient number of someone else's peasants.

Get rid ASAP, no need to wait for the Queen to kick the bucket imo.

For the argument of how much they generate--I'm happy for them to continue and pay their own way via funds they actually generate as part of the 'family business' like every other person. I doubt they really do generate enough to pay the mortgage and costs of Buckingham Palace.

I don’t think I’d vote. I quite like the drama and posh frocks of a RF but if they went I wouldn’t much care. This is one situation where I would be happy to let other people with stronger feelings make the decision.

get rid

Get rid!

Rid.

Keep - I don't think a Presidential system guarantees better outcomes...

On the fence completely.
I enjoy the history, the tradition, the ceremony and think most of them work hard and bring pleasure to thousands as we’ll as their ambassadorial role and boost to tourism.
Innately, I prefer meritocracy and think inherited privilege is wrong. I dislike the coverup of sleaze and corruption that power and wealth so often brings.

This is my views, too.

Don't buy the tourism argument entirely though. Tourists would still come to see the palaces and the history. It's not like they get to sit down with the Queen and have tea at the minute, or see anyone being imprisoned at the Tower of London.

Get rid.