The British people like the Monarchy. get used to it, and fight that battles that matter.
Is Sunder Katwala right when he says:
“British Republicanism is perhaps the least successful political project of my lifetime.”?
While we have recently seen such pie-in-the-sky policies as nationalisation of the banks enacted, and Conservatives quoting Polly Toynbee on equality, I would still reserve the title for efforts to get the UK out of the EU – given the vast reserves of wealth and media propaganda put into the struggle.
But, given that there have been republicans around in this country since before this country was a country, the numbers are staggering. Four recent surveys point to solid support for the Monarchy:
While there are variations in the questioning between the Ipsos-Mori poll (2011), the ICM polls (2011 and 2009) and the GFK NOP (2007), the “monarchist answer” is given by between 63 and 78 per cent, while the “republican answer” is given by between 18 per cent. These figures have barely moved in more than 15 years.
Monarchy is impossible to square with belief in equality of outcome, opportunity or capabilities. And, as official royal powers are passed de facto to the Prime Minister, there is concern for what Tony Benn called the ‘Penumbra of power”. But, in a wierd way, it works.
There are problems that progressives must face that affect people more directly, and something can be done about. We have welfare reform being carried out by a ministerial team that plays up to the worst prejudices of the tabloid press. A health reform, concocted by political elites in collaboration with think tanks funded by some of the American private health care companies that opposed President Obama’s healthcare reforms, that will let free market dogma run riot within the NHS. And the imminent reversal of any progress on child poverty made over recent years.
So put your feet up, put a union jack paper hat on your head and enjoy the show. And when the royal wedding’s done and dusted, fight the battles that matter.
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40 Responses to “Verdict of the British people: “Long to reign over us””
Marie Ryan
RT @trakgalvis: RT @leftfootfwd: Verdict of the British people: "Long to reign over us" : http://bit.ly/jlb8Q7 writes Daniel Elton
Stewart Owadally
Though, before I do sign off for the day, I'll leave the last word with @danielelton here… http://tinyurl.com/6e3mlzm
Dave Citizen
I’m with Alex – trying to seperate issues out into isolated little boxes may make journalism easier but it ignores reality.
Anyone who wants to hand their children a fairer but more prosperous society will need to get their heads around the fact that issues such as extreme inequality, rewards based on merit, two tier private/public schooling and having an aristocratic/rich elite that fast tracks its kids into the best jobs and positions of influence, are all aspects of the same battle.
graeme
1.“Monarchy is impossible to square with belief in equality of outcome, opportunity or capabilities.”
Unlike goold old socialism, huh? The one system that has successfully impoverished, enslaved and destroyed entire populations better than any other.
Let’s hear it for socialism!! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!
johnm55
The evidence from the polls and on the streets today would indicate that we are not convincing the Great British Public that republicanism is an idea whose time has come.However building on the admittedly non-scientific evidence from my bike ride today the route to a republic is to get people out of their cars and onto their bikes. Hardly any monarchist car drivers around much before 3pm but hundreds of republican cyclists.