Today, Barbados will wake up as a modern, mature nation, that has had the wisdom to ditch the ludicrous anachronism of monarchy and declare itself a republic. Let’s hope senile old Britannia has enough of its senses left to one day follow suit.
Today, Barbados will wake up as a modern, mature nation, that has had the wisdom to ditch the ludicrous anachronism of monarchy and declare itself a republic. Let’s hope senile old Britannia has enough of its senses left to one day follow suit.
Platitude of the Day 
Jason Redvers Latham
You have posted two comments today, neither of which will appear. In one, you made a snide remark about David Lammy’s promotion. In another you spoke of whites liberating black slaves as somehow balancing out the horrors of slavery.
I’ve put up with your racist, misogynistic comments long enough. They will no longer be tolerated here.
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I am leaving the site of my own volition. I wont enquire what led you to brand me in such a way when I have been perfectly ready to tolerate anti religion anti monarchism and various other forms of ad hominem criticism from other contributors and your own self.
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Because, quite simply, religion and monarchism are choices, race, gender and sexuality are not. I can criticise you for choosing to be catholic, and you me for choosing to be atheist. But the moment you extend that to things over which we have no choice is the moment you step over the line into bigotry.
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Thank you Rev Dr Peter.
I had to re-read the start of the Beeb’s report “Barbados has officially removed Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state…” as my initial glance linked “removed”, “Queen” & “head” to those choppy Tudor times.
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BTW congrats to Barbados.
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What would happen when the UK has a vote to become a republic at some time in the near future but our sovereign is still the head of state in other countries?
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I don’t think there is a snowball’s chance in hell of that happening. But even if it did (and who would have the authority to approve such a poll, anyway?), opinion polls suggest that there is still an overwhelming majority in favour of keeping the monarchy.
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I agree whilst the Queen remains and if William took over when she dies, but the ratings would fall considerably if Charles stayed on the throne for a while. See https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/british-abolish-monarchy-survey-queen-b1851243.html?amp.
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Here in Australia we have been ‘considering’ becoming a republic for years. The problem is, nobody has come up with a republican model which could win a referendum.
Unfortunately, the republican side cannot seem to get further than the idea that a republic, any republic is better than what we have now. They want us to vote for a republic, then work out the details later. Brexit style…
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I agree that the chances of a referendum on Monarchy-v-Republic being held anytime soon seem slim indeed. It might be easier, however to pare down the ‘Royal Family’ anachronism, and simply retain the monarch and his or her successor(s). Whilst the Harry and Megan circus is great for newspaper and magazine sales, it’s all an irritating load of off-stage nonsense which we could really do without; it would also mean that wayward hangers-on like Andrew wouldn’t drain public coffers with their petulant demands for status – and be less likely to drag the institution through the mud.
The main function of the Royal family has been to top a class system that itself is being challenged – look at all the coronets in Westminster Abbey at the 1953 Coronation – can’t see that happening at the next one. The Monarchy also gives the Church legitimacy, and it’s completely unjustifiable status in politics and the establishment. This is true of the military too, but that would remain so even in a republic.
My own feeling is that Charles is no fool, and whilst he has had to express opinions and carve a path for himself whilst being heir apparent; he knows perfectly well that all that ends if and when he succeeds to the throne. I suspect he’ll make a good sovereign; his reputation has been unduly clouded by all the Diana worship, and contempt for Camilla, Princess of Wales, who actually has a level head and will be a supportive and uncontroversial Queen.
Charles won’t disestablish the Church, but I can’t see state religion lasting much beyond his reign – it’s even more anachronistic than Monarchy, and all those coroneted heads of 1953. Monarchy, once shorn of all its establishment trappings, will surely appear more and more unsustainable in the days of the anodyne King William, and die a natural death – not so very far in the future.
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I tend to agree with Liverpudlian and others above.
The concept of a figurative head of state who is beyond political manipulation is OK – and the current holder has done a remarkable job.
However the funding of an expanding number of hangers-on cannot reasonably be justified. A pared back / partially de-funded approach would, in my view, be a good approach.
If, as has been claimed, the royals are “good for business” [and republics seem not to suffer from lack of tourists filling hotels], then let those businesses who benefit pay for it (we could come up for a name for pro-rata payments – royalties??). I’m not convinced that the income that’s claimed to be generated covers the costs of supporting them, their number of homes, security measures, staff to clean, cook… some transparent audit would be enlightening (so it won’t happen).
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Completely in agreement with Peter’s OP.
As far as I’m concerned, they should be disestablished tomorrow – and the wretched CofE should go with them.
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