This dropped into my inbox from Ipsos Mori not long ago:
My immediate thought? I think George Windsor might need an alternative job plan to that now mapped out for him. I can't see him making it to be king. William, maybe. But George? Not very likely, I suggest.
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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The writing is on the wall. “Mene mene tekel upharsin.” William needs to be aware. If he had any sense, he woud be distancing himself and his family from monarchy. Monarchy has no future in 21st century Britain. A generation is growing up that thinks monarchy nonsense and that will increasingly be demanding a democratic republic. William would be wise, as his father declines, to prepare the country for a republican constitution. He should contemplate making a public declaration on his father’s death that he does not intend to ascend to the throne. He needs to declare that he is in favour of a republic. He can, with the agreement of the political parties and Parliament, to act as interim president when his father dies, ensuring there is continuity of government, with him holding that office until a proper constitution is established and written. The country (countries – England. Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) should have a parliamentary system of government like Ireland, Germany etc, with both Prime Minister and President. William could put himself forward as candidate for election as president, and indeed, be could probably win.
Balshazar ignored the writing on the wall, and was destroyed. William could be recorded in the history books with the same honour as the founding fathers of the USA.
Mike
By the time Charles passes away -say ten fifteen years, but it could be longer-I expect Australia, New Zealand and Canada will have abandoned the Monarchy. It will be friendly and amicable but still a parting from the status quo. It would be much easier for William to do so in that ethos.
I see the election results in Northern Ireland today-only a minority declared so far-show a further shift from the DUP and gains for Sinn Fein and the Alliance. I expect Ireland to be one state in the next generation. Who knows with Scotland?
Those events would accelerate change.
Looks like system justification in action. If monarchy didn’t exist you couldn’t persuade those who support it now to do so. My guess is that those in favour of monarchy won’t really be aware of just how toxic it is, from Elizabeth and Charles directly interfering in legislation to suit themselves, avoiding tax, the huge sums of money Charles takes by owning hundreds of thousands of acres of inherited land. The rent extraction is phenomenal and grotesque. Media support for monarchy also presents a highly misleading view, and that’s leaving aside the repugnant idea of being a subject, or the obvious absence of democracy, as well as the historic connection to empire, slavery, war and on and on. I was hoping Harry Windsor would destroy it from the inside.
Well I believe we need to get off the stage and consider how we are conducting ourselves. Rishi Sunak pledging £1bn tech pledge to the semi conductor industry is pitiful as the industry suggests.
So where do we go?
Proportional Representation? Maybe a head of house?
(Please stop this shit show that is televised around the world and pretend it’s democratic). (HOC).
In Scotland, according to the latest polls, opinion seems to be evenly split. 41%/40% in favour of retaining the House of Windsor. But tellingly, in the 16/24yr age group, the figures favour a republic. Of course, all this is immaterial until Scotland becomes an independent nation once again.
I think we may be underestimating human society’s need for charismatic leadership, especially in our modern, troubled times. If all we have to offer them is a string of mediocre, or worse, degenerate, prime ministers, and William provides a decent, caring, intelligent, lively monarchy, there will be little enthusiasm for a republic.
But the monarch is not a leader in the UK
Unless you believe in eugenic selection of leaders
Your assessment is as I see it. In many ways Charles is a person of known strong views and skeletons in the cupboard (door open), which means you can feel there is a human in there (he is someone you can agree or disagree with) – we live in the hang it out society. William seems a shadow to me; colourless – that era has passed. I think William will be the old soldier who never dies yet fades away. George will be the ‘royal’ as in many other countries nearby.
Whatever else you think my argument against the Monarchy is the effect that it has on those born into the Royal Family, with someone going off the rails to a greater or lesser extent in each generation, Edwards VII & VIII, Princess Margaret, Prince Andrew & Prince Harry, etc.
I do feel sad for George in that he has little control over his own life and probably never will.
Clearly if they were merely children of a super rich family the same could happen BUT it would not have any constitutional implications neither would their status have been imposed on them in the way it is now.
My BUT however is to be careful what we wish for as we need a proper constitutional settlement not simply handing the Prerogative Powers to either a president or the Prime Minister