But that's not a reason to have an undemocratic constitution. If famous people want to do that sort of thing they can do it regardless of whether they are part of a constitution or not. At the moment the U.K. has a constitutional monarchy, with the Queen as head of state. What kind of political system do you think the country should have?

Major events since Kate and William's wedding—births, jubilees and so on, right up until last year—have helped us enormously in terms of motivating people to come and join us and support us and getting us on the news and challenging the spin.

William and Harry, for example, lobby and get involved in issues and so on that they shouldn't be. They all spend their money as if it's their own—it's a common thing across the whole institution. A crucial, riveting polemic in support of one of the most precious things humanity has built - democracy itself' OWEN JONES Italy is dong a very similar celebration without a monarchy to celebrate the day it became a republic,” he said, referring to the Italian national day which takes place on June 2 every year. Given the complications and controversies that followed 2016’s EU referendum – which delivered a simple “leave” command to the Government but offered no clues as to what kind of Brexit the public wanted – Hazell says a two-step vote would be best. “First, you would have a referendum on the principle of: do we want to become a republic? And if people say yes to that, then a second-stage referendum would be how do we want to choose the new head of state in our new republic?” Finally, and much due to the ignorance of the British people with respect to what is supposed to be a British Constitution (in formal written form), the monarch is supposed to be the guardian of this same constitution, and yet, as a monarch, but also as the Head of State, refuses to become involved in politics – at least publicly and on the side of the citizens! A truer form of democracy does not accept the moral compromises regularly exhibited by the various members of the British royal family, and certainly would not tolerate the extent of the inequality and interference in British laws that are a known consequence of maintaining the present form of monarchy.

Barber believes that the King becoming embroiled in a political controversy, even unintentionally – as when Boris Johnson asked the Queen to prorogue Parliament in 2019 – could also lead people to call for a republic. The jubilee is not a national celebration, it is a carefully staged event to promote the monarchy and the royal brand.” This is a book that is bound to upset and anger monarchists, but at the same time, I think there are valid republican criticisms of it to be made. It is a great introduction to republican ideas and arguments for the undecided layman, but for those of us who are already convinced, I can say that I would like to see a far more equitable future than the tepid liberal democracy that Graham Smith envisions. He adds: “Charles is unlikely to be hit by a scandal of that magnitude and I can’t imagine William will be either” – but “you can’t really predict how scandals are going to play out”.The most significant result of the survey may be the 32% who seemed to be indifferent towards the monarch, saying he was doing a ‘neither good nor bad’ job. Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse. A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.” Thomas Paine. Republic will be writing to Deborah Turness, the recently appointed CEO of BBC news and current affairs.

That's a role that's actually quite valuable in times of crisis. In some circumstances a constitutional president is able to perform an independent role. You see this in parts of Europe. The 2020s should be the decade when we finally get to decide who we have as our elected head of state. The accession of King Charles has fundamentally changed the monarchy and the public’s relationship with it. Charles is controversial, outspoken and far less popular than his mother ever was. Prince Andrew remains a person of interest in a criminal investigation. And Harry and Meghan continue to show that monarchy isn't just bad for Britain, it's bad for the royals too. He said they are “just enjoying the weekend” or going away – as long as their flights are not cancelled. On what Republic’s supporters may be doing this weekend, Mr Smith said: “Most people (in general) are not engaging with the jubilee.” At the start of June 2022, we could see the Queen very publicly celebrating the jubilee. Yet just four weeks later, as the constitution, at the centre of which lies the Crown, was in crisis [because Boris Johnson's government ministers had nearly all resigned yet he still clung on as PM], the Queen had vanished. Not a word from the palace. No reassuring comment or useful clarification of the constitutional position offered. One moment we see the monarch, and are told of her great virtues, the next she is nowhere to be seen, as we're told that under no circumstances can the Queen be 'dragged into' doing her job.I was startled awake with the familiar story of the forced evacuation of the Chagos Islands not requiring any reference for an overview from Parliament and how the process is available to be repeated. And possibly has been because these need not be reported. view that, if persons within a monarchy that has been foisted on the citizens of the UK were to stand for

A point made by Graham Smith in the book is that staunch monarchists are not a target group for persuasion in Republic activities. So may be not the book for them to buy. Could also be said for the supporters of his point of view but it is effectively a donation in part if it goes unread.Rather than the monarchy defending the constitution and, by implication, the British people, it has been the responsbility of subjects to defend the monarch not from injustice or tyranny, but from embarrassment. In the UK, embarrassment is, it seems, a central principle of our constitution.