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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How do we stop being a constitutional monarchy??

121 replies

Griefmonster · 19/09/2021 15:26

Inspired by another thread.... What steps would need to be taken to stop having a monarch as our head of state?

Does it need to be a referendum and then declare a republic? how would a law be passed? What are the steps? And when was the last time we had a reliable poll on public opinion? And any mid-point steps between what we have now and no monarchy at all?

OP posts:
DrSbaitso · 19/09/2021 20:57

In fact, given the Queen is also the head of state of about 16 other countries, that might mean they have to change their constitutions too? I don't know. It would be incredibly complex. It might be best just to limit their number and their spending power than get rid of them completely, if only because of the paperwork. QC barristers, everything with Royal in its name, the coins, the stamps....urgh.

Ikeptgoing · 19/09/2021 21:01

You do realise the monarchy bring in a lot of tourism, business and goodwill to the U.K.? They work very hard and advocate for our nation globally. I wouldn't like to do their role. You don't have to me a monarchist to appreciate that. We are a tiny nation that plays a proportionally larger part globally and I wouldn't agree to anything that would diminish us.

So, Prince Charles already wants to streamline monarchy, he's been clear on that, and H&M have unintentionally helped that along by removing themselves.

So all my family and friends would hate there being steps taken to remove our Queen or Royals as Head of state. We would fight against it. Leave them be and please don't undermine the good we have going.

That doesn't meant I don't like some of the stuff that is occurring but that the good outweighs scandals.

DrSbaitso · 19/09/2021 21:03

It's hard to say how much tourist revenue the RF brings because we really don't know the reasons for everyone visiting the UK. It's probably fair to say that they shape our public perception and if it's working, it might not be worth messing with it. I know at least some overseas visitors think we are very quaint and old fashioned and stuck in the past, and they wouldn't want to live here, but they wouldn't mind coming to see it for a bit.

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 19/09/2021 21:03

@WoozySnoozy

Whats your AIBU?
AIBU to not be able to work out how we stop having a monarchy in charge of this country
LizzieW1969 · 19/09/2021 21:27

I think at the moment, a referendum is very unlikely, even if the Queen dies in the next couple of years, because the focus will be on a likely indyref 2 in Scotland and maybe in time a referendum on a united Ireland. The future of the Monarchy will be on the back burner as a result.

However, if the United Kingdom ends up breaking up, then the Monarchy will definitely come under the spotlight. And then there might well be a push for a referendum. And that would be a good thing, as it’s a discussion that we need to have, I think.

It’s possible, though, that Australia and Canada might have referenda on the Monarchy after the Queen dies. It will be interesting to see whether either of those countries abolish the Monarchy.

Chloemol · 19/09/2021 21:33

We hold a referendum, we retain the monarchy , MNetters tell us everything then is the fault of those who voted to keep them

LizzieW1969 · 19/09/2021 21:33

So, Prince Charles already wants to streamline monarchy, he's been clear on that, and H&M have unintentionally helped that along by removing themselves.

I would be very interested to know exactly what he means by that?

DrSbaitso · 19/09/2021 21:43

@LizzieW1969

*So, Prince Charles already wants to streamline monarchy, he's been clear on that, and H&M have unintentionally helped that along by removing themselves.*

I would be very interested to know exactly what he means by that?

I think he means keeping it stripped down to those in the direct line of succession.
WoozySnoozy · 19/09/2021 21:46

AIBU to not be able to work out how we stop having a monarchy in charge of this country

YANBU it sounds very complicated

CoronaPeroni · 19/09/2021 22:05

The monarch is also the head of the Church of England. Although I would vote to keep the monarchy, if we abolished it, there would go the state religion! Yes! No more worshipping in schools, Parliament, council meetings etc. Bring it on!

Original poster
Griefmonster · 19/09/2021 22:34

@Ikeptgoing I deliberately didn't want to get in to a discussion on whether the monarchy was or was not "a good thing". I just don't understand the steps to go from what we have now to a Republic (or something else?)

And thank you @WhenISnappedAndFarted for answering @WoozySnoozy I hadn't realised there were such strict rules to posting! I hardly every start a thread....

OP posts:
PicsInRed · 20/09/2021 06:59

@TrufflyPig

I'd love to see the looks on the faces of Australia, Canada, NZ et al if we were to abruptly remove the monarch

Australia will give zero fucks, they most likely will have another referendum when the Queen dies.

Absoutely, but they intend to call a referendum then leave us on their own steam, not for us to suddenly call last orders and close the shop. 🤣
Steeple · 20/09/2021 07:02

@Mintjulia

Thinking rationally, would you want any of Cameron, Clegg, Blair, Brown, Corbyn or Boris as head of state ?

Christ help us. I'll settle for Charlie thanks.

Yawn. This total incomprehension of the difference between PM and a ceremonial HoS again.
Hairbrush123 · 20/09/2021 08:11

Subscribe to Republic.org.uk and support their work. I contacted my MP about Prince Charles and he was so rude! I donated some money to Republic.org and they’ve done excellent work.

I think a referendum on the Royal Family within 10 years is highly unlikely.

NantesElephant · 20/09/2021 08:22

www.republic.org.uk

Thanks @Hairbrush123

TheKeatingFive · 20/09/2021 08:33

Play the long game.

Nothing will change while the Queens alive. She’s popular with the people. However all the recent shenanigans are very destabilising in the long run. Let Charles take the reins and watch the wheels come off. A drop in public support is pretty well inevitable at that stage.

The people as a whole need to want it. That’s not the case now, but I suspect it will be soon enough.

AdaColeman · 20/09/2021 08:50

There would be no need to have a political Head of State (Blair, Boris May etc.). The functions that the Queen performs are symbolic, opening parliament for example, or welcoming visiting foreign dignitaries.

So these could be performed by a well respected national figure, elected perhaps for a three year term, something similar to the system in Ireland.

The Monarch holds their position by public acclaim, their position will be weakened by corruption close to the throne, so Charles will need to take firmer control of his household than he seems to have at present!

Lahhdjdknwbjshdhb · 20/09/2021 08:55

Be careful what you wish for? Looking at the quality of our self-serving elected representatives, I’d rather stick with the Royals thanks. At least we know they have the country’s best interests at heart and put charity and duty before all else.

You really want to give that up?!

TheKeatingFive · 20/09/2021 08:58

Be careful what you wish for? Looking at the quality of our self-serving elected representatives, I’d rather stick with the Royals thanks.

Charles, really?

Take a look at the type of people Ireland elect to their presidency.

Lahhdjdknwbjshdhb · 20/09/2021 08:59

Those saying HoS not equivalent to PM ... of course not. But they ARE still in a position of soft power and influence. You can’t get away from that. I would rather stick with people who have been trained since birth to put public duty before anything else, rather than the lottery of electing someone with self serving interests.

TheKeatingFive · 20/09/2021 09:02

You can’t get away from that. I would rather stick with people who have been trained since birth to put public duty before anything else

Because that’s working so well with the Queens children

😂 😂 😂

The cognitive dissonance of some people is spectacular

Lahhdjdknwbjshdhb · 20/09/2021 09:08

@TheKeatingFive those in line to the throne!

Anyway, the royal family receives wide public support, so we won’t become a republic anytime soon. If Charles or William mess it up, they put the future of the RF at risk. They know that their future is reliant on support from the British public- without it they are toast!

TheKeatingFive · 20/09/2021 09:10

those in line to the throne!

Charles isn’t exactly covering himself in glory either. If these are the benefits of being ‘trained up from birth’ in action, it’s a hard no from me.

Lahhdjdknwbjshdhb · 20/09/2021 09:13

@TheKeatingFive fine, but most people don’t share your view. If their popularity declines, then will be the time to push for a republic. Looking at William and his family, I can’t see it happening in my lifetime.

sashagabadon · 20/09/2021 09:17

I like having a constitutional monarchy!
In order to win a referendum you’d need to come up with an alternative that is better. A president Boris perhaps?
Don’t assume in a republic it would your guys in charge. It might be the politicians you don’t like and with lots more power than they had before.

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