Is it time for a national debate on the monarchy?
IS it time for a referendum? We have had referendums on Scottish independence, the European Union and even the voting system for Westminster, all in the last 10 years.
There have even been referendums on elected mayors in parts of England.
With the Queen marking the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, and now she is at the grand old age of 96 and people are understandably asking how much longer will her reign continue, is it not time to open up a serious national debate about the monarchy?
Should the monarchy continue, and in its present form, once Queen Elizabeth is no longer the sovereign?
There are, as we have seen this week, many millions who are fervent supporters of the Queen and the Royal Family.
There are others who are less enthusiastic, ambivalent even, and then there are many who would rather end it completely.
This week we have been treated to unchallenged assumptions, cliches and platitudes about the Queen and the Royal Family, mostly though the sections of the media who are unquestioning in their support.
There is an identity element. We are told it is a reflection of Britain, that the Queen and her heirs embody Britishness and what it is to be British.
Do they? Does the Royal Family really represent a modern diverse Britain or just what some people would like it to be?
We are told repeatedly about the Queen’s decades of unstinting service and dedication.
We hear about all she has done for the country. But has the Queen and her family done more for the country than the country has done for them?
All this before we get into the arguments about equality, accountability, and the financial costs verus benefits of a publicly funded and supported monarchy.
The Royal Family financial report tells us the total Sovereign Grant, which replaced the Civil List for 2020-21, amounted to £85.9 million, up from £82.4m in 2019-20, equivalent to £1.29 per person in the UK.
Funding for the Sovereign Grant comes from a percentage of the profits of the Crown Estate revenue, which is currently 25% including money for reservicing of Buckingham Palace, normally it is 15%.
The cash goes to the Queen and other Royals for upkeep of palaces, staff and visits at home and abroad.
So, if the Queen is reportedly worth £365m and Prince Charles similar, and all the others, including minor royalty most people have never heard of, are not exactly poor, where does the cash come from.
Cash from the Duchy of Lancaster, Duchy of Cornwall for Charles, property, art, investments etc all contribute, but is the total picture completely transparent?
All this can be put under full scrutiny if we were to have a national debate followed by a referendum on whether we want to keep the Royal Family.
For centuries, Queens and Kings have reigned, and no-one ever had the opportunity to consent.
It has always been assumed the people of the UK are happy with this arrangement.
If we have the debate and vote then either we abolish the monarchy, reform the
institution or we carry on
in the same way.
At least when her son, and eventually his son, takes over as monarch they will do so knowing that they have the support and consent of the majority of the people.
What is there to be afraid of?
This week we have been treated to unchallenged assumptions