How many british republicans do we have?

mattwilson · #1 by **mattwilson** » Nov 19, 2010 1:09 pm

The news of kaiser wilhelms engagement to kate middleton seems to have brought about many many minor debates here and there over the status of the monarchy in the UK.

I myself am a republican... so that's one.

On a side note, I find it interesting that republicans in the U.S. stand for pretty much everything I hold in contempt... :coffee:

Paul G · #2 by **Paul G** » Nov 19, 2010 1:13 pm

Republican. I can't see how anyone isn't.

And no, I don't care how much tourism they bring in.

chairman bill · #3 by **chairman bill** » Nov 19, 2010 1:15 pm

I believe in the absolute right of The People to elect their head of state. Call them 'king' or 'queen' if you like (so we can retain 'HMS', & 'Royal' prefixes etc), but they should be subject to periodic election - I'm a republican.

Paul G · #4 by **Paul G** » Nov 19, 2010 1:28 pm

chairman bill wrote:I believe in the absolute right of The People to elect their head of state. Call them 'king' or 'queen' if you like (so we can retain 'HMS', & 'Royal' prefixes etc), but they should be subject to periodic election - I'm a republican.

There is no need to have a head of state, what are they supposed to do?

pensioner · #5 by **pensioner** » Nov 19, 2010 1:47 pm

I'm a republican and I must say that I'm sick and tired of all the fuss that is been generated by this wedding.

I'm With Stupid · #6 by **I'm With Stupid** » Nov 19, 2010 2:10 pm

Paul G wrote:Republican. I can't see how anyone isn't.

And no, I don't care how much tourism they bring in.

A minus figure I suspect, when you consider the amount of tourists that visit Buckingham Palace in the brief time it's open to the public, compared to how many could visit if it was completely opened up.

HughMcB · #7 by **HughMcB** » Nov 19, 2010 2:21 pm

I've been known to be an Irish Republican. :shifty:

trubble76 · #8 by **trubble76** » Nov 19, 2010 2:23 pm

I am not a republican. It is not a dearly held position.

Wiðercora · #9 by **Wiðercora** » Nov 19, 2010 2:52 pm

Paul G wrote:Republican. I can't see how anyone isn't.

Expecially considering who our next monarch will be.

Tyrannical · **#10** by **Tyrannical** » Nov 26, 2010 8:21 am

So, for us non-UK folks, is a UK Republican someone that wants the UK to become a Republic instead of a Monarchy?

cursuswalker · **#11** by **cursuswalker** » Nov 26, 2010 8:23 am

Republican here.

And it is interesting the completely different meanings that word has in the UK, USA and Eire

katja z · **#12** by **katja z** » Nov 26, 2010 8:28 am

Paul G wrote:
There is no need to have a head of state, what are they supposed to do?

Wear a funny hat.

ETA: I'm not a Brit, but if I was, I would want a republic. That would also get rid of your embarrassing anthem. :whistle:

mattwilson · **#13** by **mattwilson** » Nov 26, 2010 8:36 am

Tyrannical wrote:So, for us non-UK folks, is a UK Republican someone that wants the UK to become a Republic instead of a Monarchy?

Indeed, in the US it has many other implications about the sorts of things you believe. Which is one thing I've never understood about U.S. politics...

You have the republicans - who one would think are in favour of a republic, and the democrats who are in favour of the democracy you get with a republic. They need more catchy and pertinent names.

Anyway I digest :lol:

Yes, all republicans in the UK are in favour of is an elected head of state accountable to the public. It is often said that Americans hate their head of state no matter who they are or what they're doing, but every few years you get the chance to remove them. In the UK our head of state, the saxe-coburg-gotha lot spend public money with complete abandon and fuck anyone and everything and are accountable to no'one.

Aca · **#14** by **Aca** » Nov 26, 2010 8:38 am

katja z wrote:That would also get rid of your embarrassing anthem.

c'mmon, it rocks

cursuswalker · **#15** by **cursuswalker** » Nov 26, 2010 9:04 am

katja z wrote:
Paul G wrote:
There is no need to have a head of state, what are they supposed to do?

Wear a funny hat.

ETA: I'm not a Brit, but if I was, I would want a republic. That would also get rid of your embarrassing anthem.

I still want to go with Billy Connelly's suggestion:

Tyrannical · **#16** by **Tyrannical** » Nov 26, 2010 9:12 am

mattwilson wrote:
Tyrannical wrote:So, for us non-UK folks, is a UK Republican someone that wants the UK to become a Republic instead of a Monarchy?

Indeed, in the US it has many other implications about the sorts of things you believe. Which is one thing I've never understood about U.S. politics...

You have the republicans - who one would think are in favour of a republic, and the democrats who are in favour of the democracy you get with a republic. They need more catchy and pertinent names.

Anyway I digest

Yes, all republicans in the UK are in favour of is an elected head of state accountable to the public. It is often said that Americans hate their head of state no matter who they are or what they're doing, but every few years you get the chance to remove them. In the UK our head of state, the saxe-coburg-gotha lot spend public money with complete abandon and fuck anyone and everything and are accountable to no'one.

Republican and Democrat are just names of political parties, and it doesn't imply that one supports a Republic vs Democracy form of government. In the US, Tory does not refer to a political party but refers to those loyal to the Crown during the American war for independence.

cursuswalker · **#17** by **cursuswalker** » Nov 26, 2010 9:17 am

We should balance the republican view with a royalist one:

Tyrannical · **#18** by **Tyrannical** » Nov 26, 2010 9:25 am

cursuswalker wrote:Republican here.

And it is interesting the completely different meanings that word has in the UK, USA and Eire

Well, the US has always been a Republic, so it would be odd to have a pro-Republic party this late in the game.
The "modern" Republican party was founded by anti-slavery Northerners in the 1850s.

cursuswalker · **#19** by **cursuswalker** » Nov 26, 2010 9:27 am

In fact it is right to say that all Merkins should be democrats and republicans, in the general sense.

Paula · **#20** by **Paula** » Nov 26, 2010 9:39 am

I'm a republican, in fact I just joined Republic after Matt making me aware of it, thanks Matt :thumbup:

http://www.republic.org.uk/

They are an embarrassment, the fancy dress costumes and rituals are just silly, and completely meaningless in the 21st century. They cost too much, there are too many hangers-on, and they take the piss.

I bow and kow-tow to no one :snooty: