Hypothetical: A Referendum on the Monarchy
 

How would you vote?

Personally, I love the Royal Family and I think they do a lot of good for the country especially the Queen and the younger gen (Will and Kate especially).

However, I would have to think about my vote, but I would definitely lean towards voting to keep the monarchy.

I also believe the nationwide vote would be to keep the monarchy to a much more decisive margin than Brexit.

Poll incoming

Idc either way really, I would say yes cos they dont affect me much, and cos they bring in money from all the tourism. But I could be persuaded to vote the other way or not vote at all.

It’s weird cos i have next to no interest in them but....


I’d miss em if they weren’t there

No, no matter how much tradition they represent or money they bring in, at their very core they represent the idea that "some people are born better". Which is toxic and wrong in any modern society.

Not bothered at all about this.

Yes because they are only figureheads, bring in a lot in Tourism, and the Monarchy is part of British history

Keep them. It's not just tourism, it's international diplomacy, they employ a huge amount of people, they are charity patrons, they highlight and give a platform to a range of issues... like Kate, William and Harry's work with mental health... I could go on. I think they're value for money... and I like the system as it is.

She comes with an Army, a Navy and an Air force that will defend her to the last.

Oh, well said, Alfie.

By what margin do you guys think we would keep (or lose) the monarchy?

I think it would be around 70-80% keep and 20-30% get rid of.

I agree it'd be around that percentage. Australia had a referendum on the monarchy, didn't they, and it was about 55 for and 45 against even after a huge Republican campaign over many years. I think if we had a referendum in the UK it'd be much like you've said.

Yeah but it's important not to get complacent, complacency is the worst thing that can happen to a campaign in politics, easily can hand close results

I am firmly in favour of keeping the Monarchy.
I'd hate to see a vote to abolish it.

Oh of course any referendum on it would be heavily in favour of Li'l George and Co.

"Subordination to ones betters" is heavily built into the general British psyche. Sadly.

I don't think many people these days feel they are better than them, just like someone who reaches celebrity status they have been dealt a different hand of cards, good luck to them would I swop and want my every move scrutinised..nope

In principle I'm against monarchies but I have no doubt in my mind this would be a non-starter.

All the above.

For me its an absolute 'yes'. We must keep the monarchy.

The fawning and obsessing over the Royal children would suggest otherwise, surely. However I do think that a lot of people consider celebrities in general to be a somehow "upper tier" of humans, which is obviously nonsense. I just personally believe that the entire notion of monarchy feeds heavily into that mindset.

Idolising and elevating people because of their bloodline isn't particularly healthy behaviour for anyone.

Have you read the Meghan marrying Harry thread? [emoji23]

I said yes because they bring a lot of money into the country. I’m not a royalist though in spirit. I think we should stop financing some of the hangers-on though.

No. I don't doubt they benefit us in some ways but I'd vote no on the principle. Basically this...

I really do think that one day in the future we'll look back on systems such as the monarchy in bemusement

Not bothered. They're pretty much a tourist attraction with no power at all.

Couldn't care less really but I voted yes

..in a referendum I would be a yes...some of the things the Royal family bring to the nation have already been mentioned...but for me it’s also, that national celebration thing as well, that coming together and celebrating certain Royal occasions as we have with things like street parties, which can create such a positivity within communities...of the few that I’ve been to in my lifetime, there have been things like...older people/pensioners who may have been struggling a bit and felt quite isolated etc...but that community celebration has caused them to ‘come out’ and not only join in but given that opportunity for others to realise their struggles and then with that, offer a long lasting friendship/help etc which completely changes their lives in such a very needed way...it’s not that people haven’t cared or been thoughtless, it’s just that we all can get quite absorbed in our own lives and just not see other people around us and what their life is...also obviously there have been sad Royal occasions of death as with Diana...but to grieve together as a nation from time to time, I think is also very bonding...with politics, we’re often all so very divided in our beliefs and thoughts...so any bringing together, I think is essential...and then how many of us, kind of adopted William and Harry in their mother’s death and have felt those positive ‘celebration’ things with all of the lovely things in their lives...I know with older people especially I have heard lots of stories of street parties and such that have been celebrated for Royal occasions and those are positive feelings they still recall with such fondness of how their community has come together and lots of good stuff they’ve so very much needed...just to counter all of the rubbish we all go through in life...

...I do agree with TS as well in that, no one human should be born with a privilege over another..in an ideal world...I’m equally as uncomfortable with extreme wealth as I am with extreme poverty and those born to war torn countries and starvation and the many sad things people are born to, which remove so many possibilities in their lives...in an ideal world, it would be equal for all, which Incompletely agree with him about...but it isn’t, never has been and never will be an ideal world and the removal of extreme wealth and privilege by birth etc, will never remove those at the opposite extreme because it just is...no extremes are good and ideal but they just are...unlike someone who for instance, has just been born to extremely wealthy parents but ‘gives nothing back’ in terms of that privilege...at least with the Royals, they do look at those who are at the opposite end of their extreme and they do work to raise awareness and they do help with help that is so very much needed in very practical ways...but yeah, I do feel on balance that they’re also an essential National ‘feel good’ as well...those Royal occasions when we all laugh, we all cry together, type thing ...and we all come together and feel each other...