British Monarchy

I have written an essay relating to the topic: The Queen of England. The essay
is to examine the issue of; is it time that England abolished its monarchy? In
order to complete this assignment, I have researched and examined the British
Monarchy to enable me present the Merits and Disadvantages of both sides of
the argument.

Firstly to understand the basis of the argument, I will briefly provide general
background information relating to the British monarchy.

According to (The British Monarchy, n.d) the British monarchy has a long
history dating back to the 8 and 9 century, during the period of Alfred the
Great. It is stated that during this period the centralised system of government
such as parliament was established and further developed during the Norman
Conquest.

As Starkey (2006) states that the English monarchy went through a radical
period, When King Henry V111 disposed the Pope and made himself the head
of the Church. This brought about the mixing of politics with religion, meaning
that the King was as well head of the church- this resulted in disputes of
doctrine and politics.

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The current British monarchy is referred to as the house of Windsor, the
Queen come to the throne after the death of her father King George V1 in
1952. While she was on holiday in Kenya she was informed of her father’s
death and later enthroned at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953

IS IT TIME THAT ENGLAND ABOLISHED ITS MONACRCHY?

The first set of argument put forward relating to the above motion are the
merits in support of the above argument, these were presented during a
debate at St Andrew’s University debating society by McConnachie (2001)
under the motion ‘the house would abolish the monarchy’.

MERITS

1. As Head of State the British Monarchy represents all.

During the debate it was urged that the monarchy represents all and
that it those not represent any political party, but rather to serve the
people of Britain by providing opportunities to all citizens and balancing
the interests of both parties. Meaning that the monarchy is non-partisan
and acts as an effective intermediary between different levels of
government

2. The British Monarchy is a National Icon / institution

It is urged that the British Monarchy has a long history viewed by many
around the World as a National Icon either bad or good. The monarchy
makes considerable contribution in the building of a nation.

3. Global Historical connection

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 It is further given that the British monarchy has a long historical
connection globally and that all world nations do have their own history
and that the history of the monarchy is a very important part of Britain.
Furthermore the monarchy maintains dignity and tradition, there is no
civilization which did not originate in the work or efforts of a monarchy,
and therefore it is a force for civilisation. It is also noted that monarchies
will be linked with monarchs of other nations and in case of the common
wealth; one person is head of state for a number of nations

4. Good value for money

According to Jobson, (2013) it is stated that the Queen is great value for
money, her majesty and rest of the royal family carry thousands of
engagements that improve the community and that the British
monarchy is a focal point for the armed forces. Furthermore funds are
generated from crown estates and that the monarchy acts as an
overseas envoy this help boost the economy
The British monarchy is globally recognised as an institution that holds
and represents British values, secondly it attracts attention around the
world ceremonially or other venture such as estates, visitors from
around the world who visit England will one way or another a visit or
have interest in the historical Britain.

5. Easily integrated into any democratic process

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 Furthermore the British monarchy can easily be integrated into any
democratic process and still keep the heritage.
Democratic states can work along monarchies, and monarchies are
above the influence of any group or party, they are free and every
citizen is equal, and the loss of the monarchy can do nothing to diminish
discrimination

6. Monarchies are for ever

Many people relate to a national treasure more than say political
parties, there will always be favourable section of the population who
recognise heritage and it only takes one person. A monarchy reigns for
life and gives continuity over a long period of time. As noted that
‘constitutionally, practically, spiritually and symbolically the nation
would be impoverished without the monarchy’. (‘Sovereignty’2001)

DISADVANTAGES

1. Serves no purpose
It is urged that the Queen serves no purpose and that her duty / job
is not defined,

2. Institution that abdicated all power

For republicans urge that most of the time the queen is both
powerless and pointless and serves no responsibility for power, that
constitutionally the crown has abdicated all responsibility and serves
little purpose politically.
3. Expensive / lack of Accountability

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 Republican also state that, the expense of the monarchy is 100 times
as much as the Irish presidency and more than 10 times expensive
than the Germany counterparts it is urged that accountability is all
part of everyday public service society and the exception of the
monarchy in this regard is unacceptable as the monarchy does not
provide its accounts to the National Audits office. Furthermore they
refer to expenses incurred for the protection of the royals and that
this amounts to almost 100 million annually.

4. Heart of British constitution thus denies democracy

It is further urged by republican that abolishing the monarchy will
provide a unique opportunity to deal with many problems of the
current political system, where individuals have the right to elect
their head of state and that every citizen should be eligible for such
office

5. Based on inheritance and exclusive privilege

Hogsflesh (2011) noted that the monarchy Consists of uninspiring
individuals, who represents the worst of Britain, snobbish, elitist, out
of touch and the inheritance, may not produce a strong leader

6. The British monarchy is out dated

The republican urge that the monarchy may be considered an
establishment as a concept, it is outdated and while the UK has a
hereditary head of state it cannot claim to be a modern nation, it is

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 further stated that ‘the people’ not the member of one family should
be sovereign

COMPARRISION FOR BOTH SETS OF THE ARGUMENT

 Does one set disprove the other

In analysing the first set of the arguments (Merits), it is should be stated

that these outweigh the disadvantages, this is further more provided by
Murphy, (2013) while writing in the Evening standard. That 77% of the
British public count themselves as monarchists and 17% would prefer a
republic. That is almost 60% of the British public favouring the monarchy

 Agreement on both sides possible?

An agreement on both sides of the argument is possible, noting that
monarchies can work alongside republics or democracies, referring to
Murphy (2013) he once more provided data relating to different age
groups and these represented the following information, - within the
age group 45-54 (25%) were in favour of a republic and in the age
group 75 and over (4%) were in favour of the monarchy. With the
above data it provides for the need for both sides to compromise
thus giving a reflective and inclusive system for both age groups.
Furthermore Trevor, (n.d) notes that the republicans are not urging
for the sovereign of the UK to be dragged down the level of subjects
but for the subjects of the crown to be raised to the level of the
sovereign, by creating a system where people are sovereign and are
able to decide their own fate and chose their leaders. This clearly

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 shows that an agreement on both sides of the argument is possible as
the republicans accept the relevance of the monarchy to the UK and
that it is the system of government they claim to address.

 What is more logically convincing?

As reported in by Murphy (2013) in the Evening standard, according
to a study by IPSOS/ MORI, in response to a question put forward as
‘would you favour Britain being a republic or remaining a monarchy’
the statistics shown were as follows.

NOVEMBER 2012 JULY 2013

REPUBLIC 16% 17%

MONARCHY 79% 77%

DON’T KNOW 5% 6%

Referring to the above statistics it is logically convincing that the

British public prefer the monarchy, but it might not be ideal to merely
dismiss one or the other set of the argument as both represent the
views of the people of Great Britain. But rather offer an
understanding needed in order to achieve the necessary progression
in defining the role of the monarchy and also address the opinions or
options put forward by those in favour of a republic, furthermore a
debate as to whether the retention of the monarchy or having a

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 republic cannot address or resolve the argument fully, thus the need
for dialogue on both sides that will provide a clear approach or
framework required for this transformation to be achieved, this will
enable bring in line the monarchy with the modern world , as the
main concerns for the republican include; that the monarchy is
outdated. By improving the traditional structures within the
monarchy and the appreciation of tradition by those in favour of a
republic, this can enable both parties to compromise on the benefits
provided by either the monarchy or the republic.

Referring to Trevor, (n.d) it is noted that the UK is a constitutional

monarchy; this means that the UK is not an absolute monarchy.
Furthermore the powers of the monarchy are limited to an extent by
a constitution built up from many separate documents, by custom
and by precedent, this transition has been calm compared to other
European countries, this clearly shows a system that works and
acceptable by a majority of the UK population, any political influence
of the monarchy may not necessary interfere with legislation that
may be found in any democracy or republic.
The republicans also urge that the monarchy is hereditary, unfair and
elitist. Of recent References for the adjustment of these issues raised
have or may have been addressed already such as the gender, others
concerns can be addressed through dialogue.

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REFERENCE LIST

The British Monarchy (n.d) The Queen. [Online] available from: www.
Royal.gov.uk/HMTheQueen/accession coronation/accessionandcoronation.aspx {accessed
12 June 2013}

Starkey, D. (2006) Monarchy from middle ages to modernity. Haper press

Mc Monnachie, A. (2001) Sovereignty [online] available from:

http://www.soverenity.org.uk/features/articles/casemon.html accesssed {11 July 2013}

Jobson, R. (2013) The Queen is worth every penny. The Evening standard 27 June 2013

Thomson, D (2011) Advantages and Disadvantages of the monarchy [online] available from:
http://www.helium.com/item/2253202-royalty-british-monarchy{accessed18may2013}

Hogsflesh, R (2011) Advantages and Disadvantages of the Monarchy. [online] available from:
http//www.helium.com/item/2254422-prince-charles-letters-ministers{Accessed 23 July
2013}

Murphy, J. (2013) would you favour Britain becoming a republic or remaining a monarchy.
The Evening Standard (18 may 2013)

Trevor, (n.d) the moral argument [online] available from: http://www.republicainsim.co.uk

{accessed 13 June 2013}