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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Abolishing the Monarcy.

880 replies

Helendee · 17/02/2021 12:45

Good or bad idea and reasons for your opinion?
I don’t feel strongly either way but I am curious about what aspects of becoming a Republic are more beneficial than the UK’s stable current system.

OP posts:
Nohomemadecandles · 17/02/2021 17:14

I'm not sure it's the source of inequality some people see it as. There's always going to be very wealthy people that some don't see as fair or worthy. Inheritance won't go away.
I think once the Queen dies, the "new" RF will see a lot of change. Including the bowing and scraping bit.
It has very little impact on my life directly. Or most people's. The money part is so diluted nobody feels it. And sadly I doubt it would be diverted to where it's needed.

Porcupineintherough · 17/02/2021 17:17

I think they should be supported by public subscription. Anyone who likes them can chip in a few quid.

GintyMcGinty · 17/02/2021 17:18

I would rather have the queen or even King Charles than a President Trump, Johnston or Sturgeon.

DGRossetti · 17/02/2021 17:20

@GintyMcGinty

I would rather have the queen or even King Charles than a President Trump, Johnston or Sturgeon.
At least you can get rid of the last three.
DynamoKev · 17/02/2021 17:20

We are overdue a shake up - House of Lords, Monarchy - what a load of old guff it all is.

The Royals can keep the palaces etc - but Monarch and State (and Church and State) should be properly divorced. It's so out of date.
I also don't think we need a President to replace them.

PlanDeRaccordement · 17/02/2021 17:22

I’d keep it if I were British. There isn’t really anything else to attract tourists. And they do work as goodwill and charity ambassadors more than far richer types like Richard Branson who is busy spending his money on making luxury space ships instead of doing any charity work. As far as being wealthy they’re not even in the top 100 rich people of the world, they’re not that rich. From what I read most of the money they get from Crown estates is to preserve the historical buildings and antiques- pieces of history. Think of them as living pieces of history. A palace is much more interesting if a queen lives there than as a ruin or converted to offices.

LexMitior · 17/02/2021 17:24

@Porcupineintherough

I think they should be supported by public subscription. Anyone who likes them can chip in a few quid.
Genius. This should be applied to the whole Civil List.
SlackieBeaver · 17/02/2021 17:27

Abolish 100%. Tomorrow if possible.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 17/02/2021 17:27

@donewithitalltodayandxmas

They don't get involved in politics and bring a lot in tourism, and pay a lot of taxes Abolishing wouldn't even be that simple and now is certainly not the time.
Are you sure they don’t get involved in politics www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/08/royals-vetted-more-than-1000-laws-via-queens-consent

Look into Queen’s Consent (not to be confused with Royal Assent which is totally different).

Justa47 · 17/02/2021 17:31

@Helendee

Harry and Megan on Oprah who cares.

Abolish when the queen passes as their is no doubt she is am axing woman. Or allow Princess Ann to take over. Better than Charles.

rawalpindithelabrador · 17/02/2021 17:32

@Porcupineintherough

I think they should be supported by public subscription. Anyone who likes them can chip in a few quid.
Brilliant idea!
londonrach · 17/02/2021 17:33

Tbh since Andrew and turncoat Harry I totally agree. The thought of Charles. No end this at the queen's death. Even my fil who was vvv royalist saying this now. If this virus has shown us anything it's the important things in life and made the royals and those celebrity meaningless...just my view and I hold no influence..

Ingridla · 17/02/2021 17:42

Yes, bring on the revolution. They aren't relevant anymore, the way the Queen has been lied to by the government, what with the attempts to shield their wealth from the public stinks and shows how pointless it all is.

Sloth66 · 17/02/2021 17:42

Another interesting book was The housekeepers Diary by Wendy Berry.
She describes how household staff arrived as monarchists, but evolved into Republicans after seeing the institution up close. Again, mind boggling excess and waste, burning gifts, staff driving hundreds of miles to collect trivial items. Staff working 14 plus hour days for low wages. Indolent, pampered people of low caliber but high arrogance and entitlement.

Cam77 · 17/02/2021 17:53

Abolish.

A) They are a horrible family with huge questions over many of their personal relationships - past and present

B) They personify the strong class divide and huge disparities in unearned wealth
C) They do try to interfere in political matters - sometimes successfully
D) We can keep all the good bits - the castles and palaces and the tourists
E) We could have a rolling elected President (like in Ireland) so no need to really change all that much constitutionally

Puzzledandpissedoff · 17/02/2021 17:54

I think once the Queen dies, the "new" RF will see a lot of change. Including the bowing and scraping bit

I'd like to think so but am not quite sure I believe it

Charles's talk about a slimmed down monarchy could easily be seen in the light of "more of the goodies and attention for me", and I doubt he'd deny himself the pleasure of seeing his ghastly partner fawned over

As said it's not really about individuals for me, but FWIW I think he'll do a lot of damage if he lives long enough

Createsuser · 17/02/2021 17:54

Get well Duke of Edinburgh. S to this, doesn’t the Monarchy bring tourists, use their influence and act as a back up plan for when the government gets too uppity? (Just joking)Grin

DGRossetti · 17/02/2021 17:59

Charles's talk about a slimmed down monarchy could easily be seen in the light of "more of the goodies and attention for me", and I doubt he'd deny himself the pleasure of seeing his ghastly partner fawned over

Given how he treats his poor tenants ...

Cam77 · 17/02/2021 17:59

@donewithitalltodayandxmas
They don't get involved in politics
YES THEY DO

and bring a lot in tourism
NO THEY DON’T - the buildings do

and pay a lot of taxes
ON UNEARNED MONEY

Abolishing wouldn't even be that simple
GOOD THINGS RARELY ARE

and now is certainly not the time
NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT

Cam77 · 17/02/2021 18:02

I would rather have the queen or even King Charles than a President Trump, Johnston or Sturgeon.

..... or how about an elected rolling ceremonial President like Ireland - Basically similar to the monarchy but without all the elitism, privilege, without all the bowing and scraping and obscene wealth, dodgy mates and political interference.

How about that?

AnitaB888 · 17/02/2021 18:07

I don't agree with abolishing something that works well.

The monarchy ensure an orderly stable succession of government and are a lot cheaper than a republic.

Who would want the USA model with all the razamataz, angst and uncertainty every 4 years ?

Cam77 · 17/02/2021 18:11

@AnitaB888
Why use the US as a reference? Those aren’t the only two choices...

KeflavikAirport · 17/02/2021 18:13

Bon. I see your President Blair and raise you King Andrew. Who could be on the throne for forty years.

AnitaB888 · 17/02/2021 18:15

@Cam77

(Your surname didn't use to be P - B did it?)

"Why use the US as a reference? Those aren’t the only two choices..."

OK, then suggest some other options.

Member869894 · 17/02/2021 18:17

It's an outdated concept and frankly obscene that they have so much wealth whilst there is so much poverty.