How do we stop being a constitutional monarchy??

[Griefmonster]

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?

If their popularity declines, then will be the time to push for a republic

That’s exactly what I said in a post upthread.

However, having been on many of these threads before, it’s honestly baffling how many people are happy to tip such power and riches unquestioningly into the laps of what are at best a deeply ordinary family.

What they are at worst is slowly becoming apparent with Andrew

I just don't see what the point of changing it would be. A referendum would cost millions, then the elections every four years (or whatever) for another head of state. Just seems a waste. Especially as they have no real power

Most people like it so I think we will remain a monarchy!

The more I think about it, the more headachingly complex I think it must be. It involves dismantling and reinventing so many established procedures and institutions, including numerous ones overseas, that I'm honestly not sure it's actually worth the aggro. It's less that I think the RF do a huge amount of good as much as I think chucking them will cause a ballache that takes years to sort out.

I'm far more pissed off that the PM can appoint a load of his cronies into the Lords.

Here is how it happens.

www.republic.org.uk/making_the_change

First they would have to pass a law to stop the requirement for Queen’s Consent

I think that NZ is likely to have a referendum on becoming a republic when the Queen dies.

It would be an unbelievably complex process and would cost billions over many years.

The monarchy is, in one way or another, bound up in so much in this country; land management and ownership, political process, the military, currency, the postal system, the commonwealth, charities, heritage assets and art, huge portfolios of properties, religion...

Disentangling it and putting something in to replace the monarchy would be a gargantuan task.

In many ways it would be like trying to fundamentally change the DNA of the country.

I'm not saying it's impossible, but I don't think there's a public appetite for such a task.

Interesting that you referred to all by their surnames except “Boris

Angelomysterioso why is that interesting?

@TrufflyPig

Has any country ever gotten rid of their monarchy without a violent revolution?

I mean I'm game for storming the gates but it's not ideal 😂.

When you say you’re game for storming the gates what will you do to the place residents when you’ve stormed them? Guillotine or firing squad?

@Lockheart

It would be an unbelievably complex process and would cost billions over many years.

The monarchy is, in one way or another, bound up in so much in this country; land management and ownership, political process, the military, currency, the postal system, the commonwealth, charities, heritage assets and art, huge portfolios of properties, religion...

Disentangling it and putting something in to replace the monarchy would be a gargantuan task.

In many ways it would be like trying to fundamentally change the DNA of the country.

I'm not saying it's impossible, but I don't think there's a public appetite for such a task.

Totally agree with this.

Of course it would be a gargantuan task but like so many historical movements needs must.

@Barbadossunset

Interesting that you referred to all by their surnames except “Boris

Angelomysterioso why is that interesting?

It's indicative of how he has managed to brand himself as a more "fun" figure than other politicians and thus hide how dangerous and sinister he is.

I expected all messages to be pro monarchy. I guess though that’s what it’s like be a republican in the UK. Your view is painted as strange and only ever given air time when there’s some royal celebration like weddings to make it seem like a lonely POV, but really there are more of us than they realise.

I also think there’d be more if there wasn’t so much bias. How many British people are aware of basic details on how the duchy of Cornwall works for example?

What difference would it actually make? I mean the Queen can't make laws without parliament agreeing, can she?

Most of my family are very much "shoot the lot of them. Why should my taxes pay for them to sit around doing f all." And the ones who don't think that don't really care what they do. They just like the tradition.

I was under the impression they bought in more money than they cost, and that most of the palaces were privately owned. But no idea where I heard that so it could be wrong.

I also think there’d be more if there wasn’t so much bias. How many British people are aware of basic details on how the duchy of Cornwall works for example?

Totally agree with this

Their funding is incredibly complex and it clearly suits them down to the ground that no one has a scooby doo how it works. The amount of people who think that the Crown estates are their own familial assets is scary. At one point I tried to find out the legal status of the Duchies and it was like wading through treacle. I’m none the wiser.

I was under the impression they bought in more money than they cost, and that most of the palaces were privately owned

And there we go 😆 🤦‍♀️

Put me in charge. The immediate Royal Family (Liz + kids + grandkids) would get a £1m 'redundancy payment' and a nice reference letter. Everyone else is cut off entirely. All property and savings returned to the state, including their 'private' property.

@Lahhdjdknwbjshdhb

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?!

Lol yes we know that, do we? Lol. I remember looking at Prince William’s royal engagements one year and the majority of them were attending rugby matches 😂. To say nothing of Prince Andrew’s contribution.

Also if they’ve got the country’s best interest at heart unlike democratically elected representatives then why not have them run the country?

@TheKeatingFive

I was under the impression they bought in more money than they cost, and that most of the palaces were privately owned

And there we go 😆 🤦‍♀️

That's the problem isn't it. I've read/heard things that say they are privately owned. And read/heard things that say they aren't. How is anyone meant to actually know? And even if they aren't, what would happen to them if we dissolved the royal family? I mean they're hardly likely to house the homeless in them.

Well they do have actual private property too. Even I don’t think that should be taken off them. 😆

But it solves the need to house them. They can all shack up in Sandringham/Balmoral. More than enough room.

And even if they aren't, what would happen to them if we dissolved the royal family? I mean they're hardly likely to house the homeless in them.

They’d be state assets and we could do whatever. Open Buck House up fully to the masses like Versailles for starters.

It suits their interest to blur the lines between private and public. So when it comes to paying for repairs and upgrades it’s the public purse who should pay but when it comes to receiving income it’s their asset.

@Hont1986

Put me in charge. The immediate Royal Family (Liz + kids + grandkids) would get a £1m 'redundancy payment' and a nice reference letter. Everyone else is cut off entirely. All property and savings returned to the state, including their 'private' property.

They do have actual private property that they own in a personal capacity and which doesn't form part of the Crown Estate. Balmoral and Sandringham I think are two. No reason at all they should have to give those up. It'd be like giving up your own car as well when you have to return the company one.

Well on another thread someone pointed out that we were the landlords of the CE properties, therefore it was right for us to pay for repairs.

Funny sort of landlords we are though. We pay them to live there and then they set the terms of our access.

We’ve been had totally 😂