Is it time for Britain to become a republic?

[Lozzer]

The Royal family costs the British public in excess of 200 million pounds each year. Though it's argued they're vital to the tourist industry, there's only one Royal attraction that makes it on to the list of Britain's most popular tourist sites: Windsor Palace, in 17th place. By comparison Legoland Windsor comes 7th.

The institution of monarchy costs several times the amount it costs to maintain the Irish presidency, and it's the equivalent to 9,560 nurses, 8,200 police officers and more than the total annual Ministry of Defence spending on food. Furthermore, the amount of money we annually lavish on this family is akin to several high-profile government cuts to public services. This year we're subsidising a grotesquely expensive, pompous parade to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee, an event which should be an insult to every hard working, tax-paying serf. For want of a better word, the royals are merely scroungers. Replacing them with a ceremonial, politically neutral president who's democratically elected by the people would cost us far less, and our tourist industry would be more successful. The palaces of our anachronistic monarchy would become heritage sites which are open to the public, and the dignity of the British people would be restored through the materialisation of a written constitution that enshrines our democratic rights and liberties.

T

[mistermack]

The Royal family costs the British public in excess of 200 million pounds each year. Though it's argued they're vital to the tourist industry, there's only one Royal attraction that makes it on to the list of Britain's most popular tourist sites: Windsor Palace, in 17th place. By comparison Legoland Windsor comes 7th.

The institution of monarchy costs several times the amount it costs to maintain the Irish presidency, and it's the equivalent to 9,560 nurses, 8,200 police officers and more than the total annual Ministry of Defence spending on food. Furthermore, the amount of money we annually lavish on this family is akin to several high-profile government cuts to public services. This year we're subsidising a grotesquely expensive, pompous parade to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee, an event which should be an insult to every hard working, tax-paying serf. For want of a better word, the royals are merely scroungers. Replacing them with a ceremonial, politically neutral president who's democratically elected by the people would cost us far less, and our tourist industry would be more successful. The palaces of our anachronistic monarchy would become heritage sites which are open to the public, and the dignity of the British people would be restored through the materialisation of a written constitution that enshrines our democratic rights and liberties.

T

It's massively OVER due. And I would happily volunteer to pull the handle on the guillotine for every single one of them. I would even learn to knit.

[Clinton Huxley]

Damn your eyes for an ungrateful wretch! Her Majesty and all her brood are what make this great nation what it is today. Abolish the First Family and you'll end up with a grocer, a lawyer or other such trash as head of state.

[Rum]

It is probably the right thing to do.After all nobody would start from here.

Whether it is the best thing to do is an open question though.

[mistermack]

Damn your eyes for an ungrateful wretch! Her Majesty and all her brood are what make this great nation what it is today. Abolish the First Family and you'll end up with a grocer, a lawyer or other such trash as head of state.

Sounds ok to me.
Better than having professional parasites up there.

[Azathoth]

Damn your eyes for an ungrateful wretch! Her Majesty and all her brood are what make this great nation what it is today. Abolish the First Family and you'll end up with a grocer, a lawyer or other such trash as head of state.

Nothing so benign. It would be a politician

[Clinton Huxley]

Damn your eyes for an ungrateful wretch! Her Majesty and all her brood are what make this great nation what it is today. Abolish the First Family and you'll end up with a grocer, a lawyer or other such trash as head of state.

Sounds ok to me.
Better than having professional parasites up there.

Some greasy career politician, one generation from an outdoor loo? Sounds ghastly.

[Lozzer]

Damn your eyes for an ungrateful wretch! Her Majesty and all her brood are what make this great nation what it is today. Abolish the First Family and you'll end up with a grocer, a lawyer or other such trash as head of state.

Nothing so benign. It would be a politician

Not necessarily.

The lobbyist, protest group Republic.org advocate a ceremonial head of state, with the functions of a political referee. Potentially anyone could fulfil that role. Their suggestions range from David Attenborough, to Joanna Lumley.

[Clinton Huxley]

Damn your eyes for an ungrateful wretch! Her Majesty and all her brood are what make this great nation what it is today. Abolish the First Family and you'll end up with a grocer, a lawyer or other such trash as head of state.

Nothing so benign. It would be a politician

Not necessarily.

The lobbyist, protest group Republic.org advocate a ceremonial head of state, with the functions of a political referee. Potentially anyone could fulfil that role. Their suggestions range from David Attenborough, to Joanna Lumley.

We all know it would end up being JLS.

[Lozzer]

Damn your eyes for an ungrateful wretch! Her Majesty and all her brood are what make this great nation what it is today. Abolish the First Family and you'll end up with a grocer, a lawyer or other such trash as head of state.

Nothing so benign. It would be a politician

Not necessarily.

The lobbyist, protest group Republic.org advocate a ceremonial head of state, with the functions of a political referee. Potentially anyone could fulfil that role. Their suggestions range from David Attenborough, to Joanna Lumley.

We all know it would end up being JLS.

Nevertheless it would be the decision of the people, not hereditary principle.

[Clinton Huxley]

I wouldn't trust the people to clear their nostrils.

[Azathoth]

Damn your eyes for an ungrateful wretch! Her Majesty and all her brood are what make this great nation what it is today. Abolish the First Family and you'll end up with a grocer, a lawyer or other such trash as head of state.

Nothing so benign. It would be a politician

Not necessarily.

The lobbyist, protest group Republic.org advocate a ceremonial head of state, with the functions of a political referee. Potentially anyone could fulfil that role. Their suggestions range from David Attenborough, to Joanna Lumley.

Brian Blessed gets my vote

[Tyrannical]

The Royals probably generate far more in revenue and jobs than they cost.

It's not even the tourism, but all the space on the TV news, magazines, WWW, and newspapers dedicated top following the Royals generates jobs and add revenue. Even something as silly as comedians that poke fun at them still derive their living from them.

[Lozzer]

The Royals probably generate far more in revenue and jobs than they cost.

It's not even the tourism, but all the space on the TV news, magazines, WWW, and newspapers dedicated top following the Royals generates jobs and add revenue. Even something as silly as comedians that poke fun at them still derive their living from them.

No, they do not, sir.

How could they 'generate' revenue? their historic allure? our nation has that already without the perpetuation of an archaic, redundant political system.

Furthermore, how can anyone put tourism and revenue before the dignity of the British people, and the important of a written constitution?

There simply isn't any evidence to suggest that they generate more than what they take.

[Coito ergo sum]

Damn your eyes for an ungrateful wretch! Her Majesty and all her brood are what make this great nation what it is today. Abolish the First Family and you'll end up with a grocer, a lawyer or other such trash as head of state.

You may wish to consider applying for Statehood in the U.S. You can apply with Puerto Rico.