Should the monarchy be abolished?

THE latest Prince Harry/Meghan Markle shenanigans have raised the subject of whether we need or want a Royal Family a quarter of the way through the 21st Century.

The subject causes heated debate on both sides of the argument. I am totally apathetic with regards to the Royal Family. I couldn’t care less whether they go or stay; however, if they must go, then there is a way to do it which hurts no-one.

Firstly, the Queen should be treated with the utmost respect for the way she has carried out her duties for nearly 70 years. She should be allowed to keep a property that befits her status, and staff to run it, and be allowed to live out her days in luxury and comfort.

The rest of the royals on the Civil List should be given the same rights as any other workers who lose their jobs. Full redundancy payments commensurate with their positions should be made. After that, they are on their own, but the world is full of tacky tabloid newspapers and glossy magazines which would be happy to pay out fortunes to ex-royals to tell their exclusive stories.

Tourism income would be maintained by keeping the main royal palaces and castles open to the public; after all, we would still have a royal history, even if we had no royal future. As a republic, would we want a president? When you look at the USA and Donald Trump, it makes the saying ‘be careful what you wish for’ all the more relevant.

We have a general election every five years, and the winning party puts a prime minister in place, and sitting opposite the government is the opposition who are supposed to hold the government to account.

If this system is made to work properly, then do we really need another one or two tiers above it?

So no over-inflated windbag of a president, and no need for the House of Lords, either.

Alan Howlett Banwell, North Somerset