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.
40 Responses to “Verdict of the British people: “Long to reign over us””
William
The issue is not the monarchy, per se.Not having a small elected Upper house, no hereditaries, no PM appointees is the issue.Once the UK has a proper democracy,the house of Windsor can be returned to Windsor, full stop,and the palace, built for the Duke Of Buckingham,can be, used as a permanent public display of the greatest art collection in the world,and the’royal family’restricted to an annual opening of Parliament.
Patrick Ward
“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.”
What utter drivel!
For a start, even a confirmed and committed republican, like me, knows that the “Union Jack” is the RN pennant, as opposed to the Red, White and Blue “Union Flag!”
This blog, however, completely misses the point concerning the issue of monarchy/plutocracy v republicanism/democracy.
Whilst I agree that single issue politics is irrelevant to
our world, that doesn’t mean we should ditch so-called “unpopular” policies as determined by ROPs like IPSOS. As a retired person, I have signed up as a panellist for IPSOS and others and am aware that their so-called “scientific approach” involves quotas and profiles, which means they often ignore opinions, based on these, saying that they’vealready reached their quota or thatyour profile doesn’t meet the spec.
Opinions change, so we should not stop trying, because it’s an uphill struggle, after all we’ve come a long way since the days of Slavery, Transportation and Empire!
Mr. Sensible
Couldn’t agree more, Daniel.
And well done to the royal couple. I hope the nation enjoyed it.
James Bloodworth
“People have different capabilities. Races have different capabilities. We are not all the same.”
Sorry? “Races have different capabilities”?
Um, no, they don’t. It is a plain fact that “race” is a construct with no scientific validity. DNA can tell you who you are, but not what you are.
Ed's Talking Balls
Republicans on TV have come across as an utterly miserable bunch. I’m very happy not to be among their number and am pleased that the vast majority of people show no desire to join their joyless ranks.
Well said Mr. Sensible. I reckon the nation did enjoy it, too.