Voting and choosing those who govern us is quite a good thing. Fallible of course if the electoral system is undemocratic (Britain’s is) or if the candidates are poor (likewise). But better than dictatorship and/or government by appointment or hereditary right.
That Elizabeth Windsor has been a good monarch does not make the undemocratic system that makes her our head of State have merit. There is something about a Republic that is morally comforting especially if the President’s role is ceremonial and apolitical – as in Germany or Ireland for (good) example.
We have been a couple of accidents away from having Andrew Windsor as our Head of State a thought that should concentrate the mind. As should memories of the ghastly Edward VIII. Yes Republics can elect dangerous fools but in the main in modern times the system doesn’t throw up Trumps. Andrew, aside from any moral inadequacies, was a joke as a representative for Trade. I saw him close up in this position and he was an arrogant, pompous, ignorant cypher. The idea that Britain would benefit from his “Hosting drinks receptions on a new national flagship” (as Forsyth suggests) is satire worthy of Monty Python.
There is so much needing change in our governance system and I would accept that moving to become a Republic is not an urgent priority. Abolishing the House of Lords as presently constituted and introducing a fair electoral system are higher priority. But one day we may have the courage to abolish the monarchy. I hope we do.
Paddy’s Blogs in a crazy world 
What an appalling piece of sycophantic journalism that article is. The classic leavers stance that EU leaders all fawn over the royals.
If you had the democratic right to choose a head of state Madam E Windsor might be your first choice. However Charles Wales might struggle to gain popular support.
Elizabeth only got the job because her uncle preferred his mistress to the throne. It was fortuitous since he was a facist and a Hitler supporter.
Andrew is just another in a long line of disreputable and greedy members of that family.
Spain suffers no less. Juan Carlos and his father spent their lives shagging anything in a skirt at public expense. When that proved not to be enough backhanders for favours was and is the norm.
When will the world rid itself of parasitic monarchs?
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