Should This Country Become A Republic?

[anotheoldgit]

Today Queen Elizabeth II becomes Britain's longest serving monarch.

It was suggested by a certain Left-Wing radio presenter, that when our Queen's reign finally comes to an end, the country should consider scrapping the monarchy and become a Republic, ruled by a President.

What could be gained by this, we are already ruled by a politician?

What do other ABers think?

[Svejk]

A non political vote? Bit like X Factor, I suppose.

[CleeMan]

Oddly enough anotheoldgit, I go to a polling station every 5 years or so to select my choice for Member of Parliament, I would have thought the same polling station could be used to allow me to put a cross on my selection for President.

[Tizzi24]

Yes, I dread the thought of Charlie becoming King.

[chaptazbru2]

No, I want to keep the monarchy !

[anotheoldgit]

CleeMan

/// Oddly enough anotheoldgit, I go to a polling station every 5 years or so to select my choice for Member of Parliament, ///

Nothing odd about that at all, but what would be odd is that if you were to go to a polling station and vote, not being bothered from what side of the political spectrum he or she came from.

/// I would have thought the same polling station could be used to allow me to put a cross on my selection for President. ///

Now there's a novel idea, who would have thought
of that?

[bazwillrun]

No
Getting rid of our monarchy would suit the eussr.
monarchys like ours are an anathema to them...

[Baldric]

///Should This Country Become A Republic?///

Absolutely no way,

Does the idea of President and First Lady Blair not fill anyone of you who has breath in your body with Horror?
It doesn't bear thinking about!!!!

[Retrochic]

What has Tony Blair got to do with anything? At the moment the Queen is fulfilling the role of an excellent non political Head of State. When she goes I doubt Charles will be able to keep his mouth shut on certain things and at this point it should be time to think about a Head of State voted in by the Public.

[DTCwordfan]

I'm putting my money on Charles not even getting a sniff of the velvet on the crown, William will get it. Charles will snuff his clogs before his Mummy does....

[bazwillrun]

@DTC

I wouldnt be surprised if that happened either...Im pretty sure The Queen knows that Charlie just isnt up to the job...and lets not forget hes made his pro muslim sympathies know over hears...

[anotheoldgit]

Retrochic

Prince Charles should be allowed to voice his opinions if he so wishes, even when he becomes King, but that doesn't mean they will hold any sway.

This is a free country, and aren't we all allowed to voice our opinions, why in this age should Charles be any different?

Beside who knows now, what opinions are aired during the regular meetings between the Queen and our Prime Minister?

[Retrochic]

AOG The queen is not supposed to air her Political views in public. Of course she will have private views but part of her Role is be non-political. King Charles would have to keep ones gob shut on many things he now feels the need to squawk on about.

[sp1814]

No to a republic and no to Prince Charles (or King George as he will be) airing his opinions...unless they are very anodyne opinions about, say, the weather.

He absolutely cannot air political opinions. The role of constitutional monarch forbids it.

Once he aligns himself with a particular party, or political viewpoint, the monarchy will be sunk.

Sure he can have opinions, but he can't publicise them.

He's also not allowed to vote.

I assume the palaces, jewels and weekly roast swan make up for that.

[mikey4444]

Yes !

[mikey4444]

Let me add.....if we were to have a Republic, and Betty put herself forward as a candidate for President, she would have my vote ! I have every respect for her as a person, and she has done a sterling job over the years. I wish I could say the same for her extended family...some of them make me shudder with horror !

But I have no respect whatsoever, for the role of an unelected Head of State, and I never will. Its not democratic and it is now an anachronism in the 21st Century.

[Baldric]

///What has Tony Blair got to do with anything?///

Purely used as an example of the sort of noxious freeloading person who could be voted in!

[mikey4444]

AOG...I have looked at this thread and I might be wrong, but I can't see who this "certain Left-Wing radio presenter" is ?

Do you have a link please ?

[Retrochic]

Baldric there are many "noxious freeloading persons' in the extended Royal Family and they are there purely because of their genetics. I agree with Mikey that Queen Elizabeth has done a sterling job all these years and will be hard to replace, neither with a democratically voted Head of State , Charles or even William.

[Baldric]

Retrochic, you've already stated you would prefer a Republic, so there is not the slightest chance we'll find any common ground.

[Quizmonster]

"Beside who knows now, what opinions are aired during the regular meetings between the Queen and our Prime Minister?"
Well, unless Cameron was lying again we know that the Queen "purred" when he phoned and told her the vote in the Scottish independence referendum last September was 'No'. That seems a pretty clear, albeit feline, indication of a political opinion to me!