I have been thinking a bit more about the Monarch and its relationship with the people as head of state in the shadow of Charles, the Prince of Wales’ 60th Birthday. I have written before that I am an ideological republican although I realise the value and the practicality of the Monarchy to the United Kingdom.
However, I think I may have changed my mind. And yes, I am allowed to do so. The argument that really changed my mind was the fact that the Monarchy is actually democratic. I can hear you shrieking, but it’s true. Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth the Second of the United Kingdom is in fact unelected democratically. To start, that might seem like a contradiction in terms. But the fact of the matter is that the only reason that we still have a Queen is because the majority supports her. If there was a strong feeling among a majority that wanted the removal of the archaic but historic Monarchy, then Parliament would have passed an act calling for a referendum by now.
On Jonathan Dimbleby’s admission that Charles plans to be a more ‘hands-on’ Head of State than his mother may nor may not be a good thing. I’m afraid that I can’t quite gauge what kind of reaction that might herald.
Also, Iain Dale predicts that Gordon Brown might call a general election for early 2009. I am inclined to agree with him but for slightly different reasons.
0 comments:
Post a Comment