Republicanism

Nice to see you back carbon

There are plenty of republicans and, as a rule, we are not usually frightened to say what we think about the royal family, the monarchy as an institution, the succession and other related topics. However, there are also some determined supporters of the Queen and, in various combinations, other members of the royal family. It being the Queen's diamond jubilee, the latter were, naturally, vociferous and the former tried to be discreet and courteous. Not all of us succeeded.

Hi carbon
I have voiced my republican opinions on several threads! Mass hysteria of the jubilee weekend has overwhelmed the voice of reason!

I don't think there has been any hysteria on this site!

Well maybe not on the site but certainly has been 'unguarded adulation'

Yes, I agree many non-Royalists tend to be discretely and politely quiet on an occasion like a jubilee. I'm a fence-sitter re Royalty, because the republics I look at, such as the USA, are not very good adverts for change. However, inherited wealth and privilege really really bug me.

Hence the fence upon which I sit.

(In reality, I prefer unreality - I'd like to live in Star Trek land....)

I personally think we have all very polite to each other

I will try that again

I personally think we have all been very polite to each other

As always, glass!

I think we were very polite. The Royalists, and I am one of them, ( but never guilty of unguarded adulation), had their say over the weekend, anybody can post on GN and nobody was stopping the Republicans, they just didn't appear to say much. Go ahead .

I wrote a post just now and must have pressed the wrong key - it has disappeared. Now, can I remember what I said?

I am not a monarchist, far from it. However, I have fears about the possible powers of a president, for example, the finger on the nuclear button, or the power to send us to war without the consent of Parliament. A new constitution would have to be very carefully devised to avoid abuse of power. I can't see it happening in the near future or even in the middle term. We are such a very conservative nation (note the lower case 'c'). [pessimist emoticon]

I was wondering where you were, carbon! Good to see you. There have been several posts where I expected you to to pop up!

It was, I think, a courteous decision on the part of most republicans to let royalists get on with it, and not spoil the joy. I think.

Are there a lot of you, then?
I'm not a fanatical monarchist, but I don't fancy the alternatives. I agree that a Jubilee thread was not really the place to start attacking the present system - each to his own - and I'm sure the courtesy shown was appreciated.

I would not class myself as a republican. Monarch arguably preferable to an elected non-exec president. Possibly has benefits to tourism to do it as we do. Otherwise what is the point in being so posh (unlike other Euro monarchs who are much less posh but less touristic.)
I viewed the jubilee as entertainment that did not interest me and tried to stay away. Bit like wimbledon. Only 2 slip ups.
nearly succeeded. will try harder next time.

I was being polite. It was a big one off event for the monarchists and I didn't want to say anything to spoil it for them.

I lean fractionally towards being a monarchist but don't go overboard to advertise it. I would like to get rid of the hereditary system and abolish the honours system when some people are awarded for simply doing their job of work. I am sure that there are many of us who have experienced a hard working life without recognition or reward!!

Annobel The royal prerogative has been passed on to the Prime Minister so it is perfectly okay constitutionally for him/her to take the country to war without consulting Parliament. There are different ways of having a president; it doesn't have to be the US model or the USSR model, for example. Irish presidents don't wield political power, for example.

And if they were all like Mary Robinson then presidents would win hands down.

absentgrana. They could also be like Putin, Mugabee or Kim Yong oojimiflip.
You nor I would know so that does'nt really establish a precedence.

If the nation was ever to become a republic I think it could be more like the current non-elected mayors in towns but for a 3-5 year period. That would be enough hand shaking, smiling and nodding around the country /world. They could be promoting British interests and tourism... we would still have all the national monuments etc for visitors to see. I really do not think a high % of tourists come to London to see the queen! They could be as politically impotent as the queen.

or.......

http://www.republic.org.uk/What%20we%20want/index.php

wake up ej

www.republic.org.uk/What%20we%20want/index.php

I cannot get my head around this.

We may not have a written constitution, but half of the rest of the world surely thinks we are a very democratic country. Else they would not all be living here.!!!!

the lack of a constitution only becomes a problem when a monarch wants to marry a divorcee! Or possibly someone who is not an anglican. ? which is to do with them having this crazy dual role as head of the Church of ENGLAND. (not the rest of the anglicans)
Then there is no rule book for such occasions.
There is no rule book either if monarch goes mad as in George 111 or if ER ever started to lose her marbles. Or refusing to co-operate with the PM.
I cannot think of any other problematic areas.