Abolish the Monarchy: Why we should and how we will

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But I held off any strong public declaration of wanting to see the monarchy abolished out of respect for Elizabeth whom, I had already been led to believe, was doing a great service for the country in all the work she did with leaders around the world. This only adds urgency to the need for wider political reform, beyond the limited tinkering proposed by proponents of electoral reform or an elected upper house. The author fails to provide any credible evidence or logical reasoning to support his claims, and instead relies on cherry-picked anecdotes, biased sources and emotional appeals. Unwilling to make the case for republicanism on its own merits, Smith builds his argument on the apparent shortcomings of monarchy itself.

The British Monarchy appears so invincible and unassailable that it’s defenders are getting complacent. The dust jacket, with its silhouette of St Edward’s Crown upturned, gives it the appearance of a lost Sex Pistols album. Apparently he is guardian of our constitution - but we're also told he wouldn't dream of interfering in politics. There are however, valuable discussions about the possibility of the UK one day having a singular codified (written constitution). As some of the largest land and business owners in the country, those interests are considerable so consequently is their interests in our lawmaking process.My only wish is that the author will produce a cheat sheet of all the stats and arguments summarised and ready to either draw on - when doing demonstrations or in discussions on the streets - or, better still, commit to memory. Worst case scenario, they gain a better understanding of why some are anti-monarchy; best case scenario, they reconsider their own views. Elizabeth was not doing the good work I thought she was, and in all this time, the royal family have definitely wielded power.

On the day of Charles III's coronation, he was arrested on suspicion of carrying "locking-on devices" and spent the rest of the day in a cell. I was already fairly convinced, but Smith sheds alarming light, through recent political events, on quite how much unchecked power de facto trickles down to the government de jour, as well as how little the monarch actually does to keep it in check. If you accept the monarchy, you must accept the moral compromise that comes with it, from its erosion of the principle of equality to the secret interference in our laws. If you were hoping that the fall of the Windsors would at least mean no more tampon metaphors, think again.Both in principle and in practice, he states repeatedly, monarchy contravenes the ‘values’ of the British people: it is undemocratic, expensive and impractical; it enthrones privilege, nepotism and inequality.

I think this helped dispel a common straw man argument hurled at Republicans that we disdain our history and have no interest in people looking into it.Such a great explanation of the various reasons why a republic is the right and necessary thing in a democracy.

For those who think we should just leave them to be as they do no harm, read this book s it may just change your view. He brings to his subject a wealth of knowledge, but also a wealth of experience in making effective arguments, challenging monarchists and winning people over to the cause. Smith believes that monarchy’s failings are so self-evident that it is unnecessary to treat it seriously as a system of government. His aspirational democratic principles stand in stark contrast to the way we are actually governed today. 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.The events of the last couple of years are examined in particular detail, as they've really exposed the weaknesses of the British royal family both as an institution and as individuals. At just over 200-page the shortest polemic which effectively dismisses all the arguments for the monarchy. If ever you thought tradition, tourism, or political stability were good arguments for the Crown, this razor-sharp book knocks that nonsense into a top hat. While I know we are a constitutional monarchy Smith goes into the framework of government to examine how power is not exercised by King or Queen but is subservient to that Prime Minister. 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.