is it time for the royal family to be replaced by an elected president or what else?

Question

has the royal family had its day in this country and should we be looking for an elected official who actually has power to intervene when the government messes up, and takes part in the countries day to day lives with accountability,
i love the royal family and do not want to appear anti-soveriegn but i get the impression they are doing less and less and, appear cosmetic which is ok but not very useful, we can still keep the royals without losing credibility in the uk, and we do not necessarily need a president, any suggestions

this is not a stupid question, anyway in terms of tourism there are more people visiting the houses of parliament than buck palace, also presidential palaces are the moas visited places anywhere

Answer 1

i do think they have had thier day, they are out of touch.

Answer 2

Please remember that the Royal Family cost less to run than the Prime Minister!
What, exactly, would a President do that the PM doesn't already?
The monarch is apolitical, which is why the armed forces swear allegiance to the monarch, rather than parliament.
As for your an elected official with the power to intervene when the government messes up, surely they will be totally part of the political problem! How much of the country's day to day lives of people do you really think a president is involved in? The Queen still has the Royal Perogative and can refuse to sign an Act of Parliament. Okay, so no monarch has done this (or if they have, it has not been for an exceedingly long time!), but they do have the right to do it!

The monarchy is the only stable thing we have in our political lives - and if it aint broke, don't fix it!

Answer 3

I'm not British, but if I were, I'd want to get rid of the monarchy.

Tourists will still come when the monarchy is gone. After all, the palaces will still be there. You can also keep those royal guards with the red uniforms and huge hats for tourism purposes.

Answer 4

What would be the point, we already have an elected idiot without having to elect another.
The power rests with the voters if the government messes up a vote of no confidence can start the demise

Answer 5

Or what else? I think you have answered the question yourself. You would prefer a President - what like Chirac? If it isn't broken then don't fix it. The present constitutional system works just fine as long as it is just a symbolic role and a repository of power in case of real emergency.

Answer 6

I think Royal families are branded with oppression and accumulation of excessive individual wealth. It is difficult for them to survive any longer. This is not only true for the Royal families, it is true for any kind of dictatorship, party or individual. The examples are in front of us. They may live for another 10 to 15 years not more. I am sure new world order will emerge similar to some form of democratic pattern more humanistic in nature.

Answer 7

Same hoary arguments for keeping the anachrinistic monarchy. they bring money in, they don't cost much, what's the alternative? Like listening to a broken record.

Let us look at this philosophically, if you believe in a democracy you believe that a person has a right to choose their head of state, now our system is not perfect, but in my 23 years of being able to vote, I have never been able to exercise my right to vote for a head of state in this country.

For more information I suggest Thomas Paine 'The Rights of Man'

Answer 8

Do you actually want to get rid of what is a national heritage.
Look at the USA. Do you want someone like that over here.....God Forbid that ever happens!

Answer 9

keep the royals it brings in tourist which means money for local people, i do like the royals. i would love to take charlie for a pint at my local then get him a takeaway

Answer 10

They are just decoration for tourists and a material for third class newspapers to talk about their scandals...leave them so some low class people can entertain!

Answer 11

.......Don't be stupid...Why get rid of them, they bring a lot of money and tourists to our country. There are a lot of countries out there that would like a monarchy like ours. Very few countries have a long history like ours, so why are you so keen to wipe out this bit or tradition and history???