Do we need the monarchy in this day and and age?

Trump, Biden, Putin, -all elected by FPTP

Wasn't Italy a collection of states or small kingdoms?
Italy as a whole didn't have a monarchy for very long (about 70 years, I think). The first one was assassinated, the last one only reigned for days and then abdicated; a referendum then decided the fate of the monarchy.

So.

Who would be entitled to vote in the referendum.

What would be the phrasing of the choice.

How would we ensure that people understood all the ramifications of their choice.

How would the campaigns be funded. Would there be any restrictions on the amount that could be spent. Would funding from overseas be permitted. How would it be monitored.

Would the referendum be final. Could another one be held in the future. How often would a new referendum be allowed. Could the monarchy be reinstated in a future vote.

Just a few quest questions about the first step.

varian

Trump, Biden, Putin, -all elected by FPTP

Do you think a shared/coalition Presidency would be better, eg three or four of them all vying for first dibs at the palace?

Grany

The process of moving from a monarchy to a democratic head of state is pretty straightforward.

The move will only be made once MPs and the public agree to it, although the politicians only have to agree to a referendum, and let the voters decide the rest. So once polling is consistently showing support for the move and politicians have been persuaded to act the following steps are needed:

A law is passed by MPs allowing for a referendum and voters then get to decide if they want to make the change.
If voters vote 'Yes' then a date is set for the election of the head of state and the introduction of new rules that will govern the reformed political system (which will be in the form of a new constitution).
As part of this process parliament passes the Crown to the people - which means that Crown properties such as the Crown Estate remain with the nation.
On a date a few days or weeks after the election the new head of state will be sworn in, the new constitution takes effect and the monarch retires from office.

So in short the change is pretty straightforward, democratic and offers and exciting opportunity for Britain - an opportunity to create a great, modern democracy.

Republic supports the replacement of the monarch with an elected head of state. The kind of head of state we think is best for Britain is a 'ceremonial' or 'constitutional' position, someone chosen by the people to:

represent the nation
defend our democracy
act as referee in the political process
offer a non-political voice at times of crisis and celebration
The job would not simply be ceremonial, our new head of state would have very clear and limited powers. Those powers would be non-political, which means that they can only be exercised according to certain official criteria. Our elected head of state would not be allowed to make decisions based on their own political opinions (much like a judge uses their power according to the law and the facts of the case, not letting their personal politics get in the way).

Love it, your last two paragraphs denote exactly what our Monarchy is about.

Love it, your last two paragraphs denote exactly what our Monarchy is about

Freya ???

I don't care if they self fund. They have enough bloody money and assets

Many people don’t realise that the Queen is nowhere near the richest person on the country. Most people wouldn’t recognise the names of the people who are.

Callistemon21

^Thanks Callistemon^
Perhaps you could ask if you can come to Wales by the Michael Portillo route volver!

Wrong thread, sorry!!

Peasblossom

So.

Who would be entitled to vote in the referendum.

What would be the phrasing of the choice.

How would we ensure that people understood all the ramifications of their choice.

How would the campaigns be funded. Would there be any restrictions on the amount that could be spent. Would funding from overseas be permitted. How would it be monitored.

Would the referendum be final. Could another one be held in the future. How often would a new referendum be allowed. Could the monarchy be reinstated in a future vote.

Just a few quest questions about the first step.

So many questions. I guess that could all be seen as a problem.

For me - how exciting, we get to build a new constitution!!

Why weren't all these questions asked before we were dragged out of the EU ?
It seems to me an awful lot of people had no idea what they were voting for and now the truth is surfacing they dont like or want it.
Mind you,the tories lying through their teeth didn't help!!

Can we vote to get rid of parish councils, town councils, police and crime commissioners, political mayors, House of Lords (and Baronesses) etc at the same time?

Paddyann54 we weren’t dragged out of the EU, we were forced out by people’s refusal to get off their bums and vote. It’s easy to be wise after the event.

It's not people who didn't know what they were voting for, paddyann - I'm sure the majority who voted to leave knew perfectly well.

It was those who, as Mollygo says, were too idle or complacent to get their backsides down to the polling stations to vote who I blame.
It wouldn't have taken many of the lazy so and so's for the vote to have gone the other way.

I agree with paddyann although I didn’t say it because I didn’t want to go off on the Brexit route.

All these sort of questions should have been asked before Brexit and should be asked before changing a Constitution.

But people don’t like you pointing out problems and dilemmas that run counter to what they believe.

Ah the power of the human mind to create chaos?

And the human body to promote inertia?

Callistemon21

It's not people who didn't know what they were voting for, paddyann - I'm sure the majority who voted to leave knew perfectly well.

It was those who, as Mollygo says, were too idle or complacent to get their backsides down to the polling stations to vote who I blame.
It wouldn't have taken many of the lazy so and so's for the vote to have gone the other way.

In any other country those who didn't vote in a constitution changing referendum would be considered to be happy with the status quo and a "qualified" majority is used where each registered voter counts, with non voters being counted as against change.

So what did our majority mean? It certainly did not mean a smooth transition or general co-operation. Let's hope that if we do ever vote on the constitutional change from Monarchy to some other form of Head of State we have learned that lesson or we could, indeed end up in civil war.

Mind you, it seems to me civil war is exactly what some want.

maddyone, No, we don't need the monarchy. I have nothing against them, just think that they're totally irrelevant in today's world.

DaisyAnne

Mind you, it seems to me civil war is exactly what some want.

Really ? You seriously think anyone on here for example wants any kind of war ?

I think they’d prefer a bloodless revolution.

Hetty58

maddyone, No, we don't need the monarchy. I have nothing against them, just think that they're totally irrelevant in today's world.

So, could you think your opinion through and tell us what you would replace it with?

Peasblossom

I think they’d prefer a bloodless revolution.

They may not get that a second time. Once may have been enough for many. What if they once again force this on people. Say, when we have just lost the Queen, Europe is at war; many can't make ends meet and lose their homes, militias are forming to protect towns, villages, etc. Scotland and Wales decide to go it alone after their treatment by England; the poor realise just how much the rich have defrauded them.

People may then find being an English refugee rather difficult.

It couldn't happen? I expect that is what the right-wing media would tell you but we are seeing something today that shouldn't have happened with our knowledge of the past, but it has.

Oddly enough I think the violence would arise over the questions rather than the actual replacing of one HofS by another.

Take just the one. Who could stand?

Only UK born?
Not UK born but living in the UK? For how long?
Not UK born but naturalised?
UK born but not living in the UK?
UK but naturalised elsewhere?
Not UK born and not living in the UK?

Let’s debate that and see when the difference of opinion starts turning into aggression?

Peasblossom

I think they’d prefer a bloodless revolution.

Oh, I was just getting out my knitting needles and stash.