What do you want as head of state for the UK

[wordler]

We are a mixed bag of pro and anti-monarchy on here so I've created a little poll to see at a glance were we stand:

https://poll-maker.com/Q72KOF2ZL

I've added a Something Else option as I ran out of what I thought were all the possibilities.

It's anonymous but feel free to expand in the comments.

That's Parliament's problem, the Royal family can suggest any amendments they like, as can anyone else, Parliament doesn't have to agree!

Thank you! Someone who understands!

I agree. I do think this is the crux of the reason why I rather we didn't have a RF. The culture of deference that just distorts everything and allows a family of very ordinary people with huge amounts of unearned power get away with far too much. The press, Parliament, the courts are supposed to act as a check and balance, but they dont when it comes to the Monarchy. They wave through laws that allow then to avoid tax, hide their wills, keep their secrets and it's not questioned or scrutinised in any meaningful way.

The problem is with people that pass the laws and don't scrutinise, though.
It's up to a person not to be so deferential that laws aren't kept.
You're blaming the wrong person, @DramaLlamaBangBang .

If your elected are spineless, hold them accountable!

Exactly.

Isn't that the political equivalent of victim blaming- well, if they hadn't politely enquired about an exception/amendment/whatever, we wouldn't have had to give it to them, they shouldn't have enquired in the first place, it's all their fault!

I think, @spanieleyes , some people just don't get it. They don't understand Parliamentary sovereignty, constitutional monarchy, who is head of the armed forces, who is head of state. It's hard to have a discussion when so many are misinformed. It's just: let's blame the royals! No nuance at all.

If my MP colluded with anything like that, I would demand answers!

I don't know how you got from modern democracies to communist dictatorships, but there are plenty of examples of states without a hereditary monarchy which are far more open and democratic than the UK.

There are also states with a hereditary monarchy that are far more open & democratic than UK.

And what's the 'class division and inequality' like in these places?

I don't know how you got from modern democracies to communist dictatorships,

Because the corny old chestnut of the RF being the fons et origo of a hierarchical society was brought up. I am tired of people trying to make out that other countries (including modern republics) don't have class systems. They might not call people Dukes and Viscounts but if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck....

By the way...I'm really enjoying watching the Japanese Emperor and Empress arriving in the UK. It looks beautiful and I loved the rendition of the Japanese national anthem by the band.

On the whole though, constitutional monarchies are disproportionately represented at the top of the economist democracy index. There are 24 countries that are considered “full democracies” in last year’s ranking and from a quick glance down the list at least 10 of them are constitutional monarchies.

Interesting, @Takoneko

Parliament is sovereign.
The King cannot make or amend laws.
Such power as he has, is determined by Parliament. As such, it is easily amended.

In that case we might well have to wonder why King's and Prince's Assent to bills affecting sovereign interests is still required:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6362390a8fa8f5056dcad773/King_s_and_Prince_s_Consent_Pamphlet.pdf

We also might have to wonder why the even half heartedly scrutinised but at least debated from time to time fixed Civil List was replaced by the guaranteed never to be reduced Sovereign Grant which fascinatingly cushions royal income even in the face of unforseen events like the Covid hits to Crown Estate revenues.

Because the elected officials should be doing their job.
People should be scrutinising.
The King doesn't make laws. That is not what assent means.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/legislative-process-taking-a-bill-through-parliament#:~:text=Contents&text=A%20bill%20is%20a%20proposed,Parliament%20can%20introduce%20a%20bill.
This is quite detailed, but very informative.

Because the elected officials should be doing their job.

What do you think is stopping them?

If you read the information, it's really clear.
People do misunderstand the power of the Monarch in the UK. On here, some think he makes the laws. He doesn't.
Every year, people write to the Monarch asking for changes to legislation. They have to be guided as to who to contact. So it's not just people on this thread, I think that general knowledge about UK government is a bit lacking.
However, just reading something on tiktok or X isn't really useful.

I don't think he makes laws. I never have and it's clearly not the case.

I do think he and his late sainted mother have (and have used) secretive influence over laws with the potential to affect their own interests. This now extends to his son.

It's there in the link I posted.

You have no concrete evidence for this
It's hearsay.

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/explainers/what-role-monarchy#:~:text=The%20monarch%20is%20also%20head%20of%20the%20nation&text=In%20this%20representative%20role%20the,the%20ideal%20of%20voluntary%20service.
A good explainer here.

You have no concrete evidence for this
It's hearsay.

Yet it's in the public domain with no rebuttals:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/08/royals-vetted-more-than-1000-laws-via-queens-consent

Reluctant to click a random link but in two words: someone elected.