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Original poster

Which way would you vote in a referendum on the monarchy?

737 replies

O11 · 09/09/2022 23:14

Now that the Queen is gone, if there were ever to be a referendum, would you vote to keep or abolish?

I would vote to abolish.

OP posts:
Mummyoflittledragon · 10/09/2022 02:43

Anothernamechangeplease · 10/09/2022 00:52

Abolish.

I think the Queen did an amazing job, but many of the benefits she brought were associated with her longevity and experience in the role, which isn't likely to be repeated in future years unless the reigning monarch dies unexpectedly young.

It's anachronistic and frankly a bit embarrassing to have a hereditary system. Having said that, my vote would depend a bit on what we were going to put in place instead. I don't want an American style party political president - I would like the president to be an apolitical figure who has perhaps achieved something notable in life e.g. in the arts, in science, in community work etc. Someone like Sir David Attenborough, for example.

Ideally, I would elect them for life, ideally, so that we get the benefit of the experience that they build up over the years. So it wouldn't be hugely different from our current system but we would take out the hereditary element and elect people on merit instead.

People, who’ve become well-known and highly respected have done through determination and dedication. Hardly likely to just suddenly agree to being a apolitical wallflowers. We’d probably compromise and end up with a big brother cast member.

JessieDoolittle · 10/09/2022 02:44

The Monarchy brings in a LOT of money. We are already on our arse. It would be daft to abolish it now!

Plus I like them, and I have no luck. I want to keep them so that's that! 😁

Furries · 10/09/2022 02:50

Creameggs223 · 10/09/2022 02:41

Abolish should off been done along time ago.

”Should of” would have been marginally better.

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SpidersAreShitheads · 10/09/2022 02:51

If we abolish the monarchy, what do we have instead?

Bearing in mind we only have an inkling of the corruption and nepotism going on behind closed doors in government.... Look at the US - the current investigation with Trump and the FBI shows how dangerous it is to have an elected official who's unsuited but popular.

There are criticisms of the royal family, but I think in general people don't really understand what the monarch does. Recent documentaries on the queen have really been eye-opening on just unbelievably stressful the role is, and how enormous the responsibilities are.

I think Charles and William will be more involved than the queen, while still politically neutral, as required. I also think they'll slim the monarchy down. Charles especially is quite good at reading the room of public opinion.

If the objection is to their inherited wealth - then what about lords and ladies? Other nobility? Unless people are proposing a switch to Communism, there's always going to be those with more.

In the absence of anything better, I think the monarchy should continue for Charles and William at least. We can then review and see if it's still fit for purpose.

So - keep.

SpidersAreShitheads · 10/09/2022 02:53

Oh also - the monarchy is part of our national identity. It sets us apart from other countries, and is woven into our history.

Watching the people of this country come together for the Jubilee, and now the Queen's death, it shows that the monarchy is something shared that knits us all together, regardless of our wealth, social class, background.

It's really special. I can't imagine throwing that all away without even trying to modernise it first.

OldWivesTale · 10/09/2022 02:56

Abolish

GuyMontag · 10/09/2022 02:57

If we abolish the monarchy, what do we have instead?

Well that would be up to us.

Imagine that. And then go from there.

IfCanCanICan · 10/09/2022 02:58

Abolish.

DownNative · 10/09/2022 03:05

Keep.

Starlightstarbright1 · 10/09/2022 03:05

Keep

ExecutiveStrategyCoordinator · 10/09/2022 03:05

Abolish.

SpidersAreShitheads · 10/09/2022 03:10

GuyMontag · 10/09/2022 02:57

If we abolish the monarchy, what do we have instead?

Well that would be up to us.

Imagine that. And then go from there.

Everything I imagine is worse, that's the trouble.

All this talk about the money/land etc - it would be siphoned off, we'd never see it. Look what the government did with giving their chums contracts worth millions during COVID....

I'm not a mad conspiracy theorist at all. But there's a lot of rotten goings-on in government and with elected officials. The US system absolutely stinks. At least with the royal family there's an enormous sense of duty - they are essentially brainwashed from birth to put their country before anything else.

I understand there are some very valid criticisms of the royal family. But elected systems are abused time and time again, and of course, there's the risk of being slowly moved to an authoritarian regime. The monarchy gives us some protection, and I think Charles and William will be more robust than the queen was in challenging clear lies presented for their signature.

And all of that is what I mean when I say I can't think of anything better. Corruption and abuse is so rife, I think it would be horrendous. What's the saying? "Absolute power corrupts absolutely"...

DownNative · 10/09/2022 03:15

Beefilm · 09/09/2022 23:38

Keep but do away with the bowing and scraping. I used to think only the Queen could do it but I now Charles will acquit himself well enough and William will be excellent. A Trump or a Biden would be embarrassing .

Bowing and curtseying has been optional personal choice for years now.

From Royal.uk site:

"There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms."

The Obamas and Trumps simply shook the Queen's hand when they met her.

If people want to bow or curtsey to any Monarch or senior Royal, that's literally been up to them for years.

GuyMontag · 10/09/2022 03:19

Oh I get you, really I do. The top of every country and indeed the world in general is fuelled by backhanders and mates' favours just on a big scale. I don't think that's conspiracy, more recognising human fallibility.

But .. is that reason to build foregone conclusions into your power structure? Or is it worth taking a chance on what would happen if we didn't?

It's not like we have a great deal to lose as individuals here in the UK. I mean we are pretty fucked rn. Maybe a bit of self determination could be if not the answer then at least the start of finding out how to make things work for us.

At least an elected head can become unelected. That's one power we don't currently have. Give us that, and see how we run.

TeapotReady · 10/09/2022 03:20

Keep

Toomanybooks22 · 10/09/2022 03:22

Keep

wooglemouse · 10/09/2022 03:34

Keep

Jessica60 · 10/09/2022 04:06

Keep

Miacarla · 10/09/2022 04:09

Abolish. At least we can elect a prime minister. Now that the Queen has gone the royal family are just celebrities. How can we really respect Charles and the rest after knowing so many horrible details of their private lives?

HappyHappyHermit · 10/09/2022 04:15

Definitely keep.

startfresh · 10/09/2022 04:26

Keep.

Would have been abolish several years ago but they've grown on me

ClaryFairchild · 10/09/2022 04:30

Abolish - but I'm in Australia and we already have the Governor-General as a stand in for the Queen so there is an outside to the government position already.

Anon778833 · 10/09/2022 04:32

Abolish. I think it should have ended with Elizabeth II.

heidbuttsupper · 10/09/2022 04:34

Abolish

Anon778833 · 10/09/2022 04:34

JessieDoolittle · 10/09/2022 02:44

The Monarchy brings in a LOT of money. We are already on our arse. It would be daft to abolish it now!

Plus I like them, and I have no luck. I want to keep them so that's that! 😁

That’s a myth. There is the small matter of how much police protection for them costs.

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