Pledges: Royalty
#12 in my Pledges series
Another single-topic pledge.
The Email:
Annwyl Mr Drinkwater
Roedd cyn lleied â 45% o'r cyhoedd yn cefnogi'r frenhiniaeth yn ôl arolwg barn YouGov yn gynharach eleni, o'i gymharu â thraean bellach yn cefnogi pennaeth etholedig y wladwriaeth. Mae'n ymddangos yn glir y bydd y ddadl am ddyfodol ein democratiaeth yn dod yn fwy pwysig, yn y senedd ac o gwmpas y wlad. Nid yw'r ddadl honno'n cael ei helpu gan fod yr aelwyd frenhinol wedi'i heithrio'n llwyr o Ddeddf Rhyddid Gwybodaeth 2005. Siawns na ddylai pennaeth y wladwriaeth a'r holl deulu brenhinol gael eu cynnwys yn yr un deddfau â phob corff cyhoeddus arall. Dylem wybod a yw'r frenhiniaeth yn ceisio dylanwadu ar y llywodraeth, a dylem wybod ar be maent yn gwario'n harian arno a pham.
Fel un o’ch etholwyr posibl yn y dyfodol, rwy'n gofyn a fyddwch yn cefnogi diwygio'r Ddeddf Rhyddid Gwybodaeth fel ei bod yn cynnwys cofnodion swyddogol yr aelwyd frenhinol. A hoffwn wybod a ydych chi'n cytuno â mi ei bod hi'n bryd diddymu'r frenhiniaeth a rhoi pennaeth gwladwriaeth etholedig yn ei lle.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am gymryd yr amser i ymateb i'm e-bost. Edrychaf ymlaen at dderbyn eich ymateb yn fuan.
Rough translation: “As few as 45% of the public supported the monarchy according to a YouGov poll earlier this year, compared to a third now backing an elected head of state. It seems clear that the debate about the future of our democracy will become more pressing, both in parliament and around the country. That argument is not helped by the royal household being completely exempt from the Freedom of Information Act 2005. Surely the head of state and the whole royal family should be covered by the same laws as all other public bodies. We should know if the monarchy is trying to influence the government, and we should know what they spend our money on and why. As a potential future constituent, I am asking whether you will support amending the Freedom of Information Act so that it includes the official records of the royal household. And I'd like to know if you agree with me that it's time to abolish the monarchy and replace it with an elected head of state.”
My Thoughts
There are two angles to this, the Green Party line, and my personal view. Generally, the Green Party of England & Wales is against unelected rulers, though it is not one of our policies in the manifesto for this election. However, I imagine extension of the Freedom of Information Act is the kind of things Greens fully support in general. The government should serve the people and be open with them, not keep secrets.
Further, Scottish Greens (our partners across the border) do have a petition to abolish the monarchy from recognition in Scotland:
“The Scottish Greens manifesto includes an unequivocal commitment to replacing the British monarch with an elected head of state in an independent Scotland.
One of the founding principles of the Global Greens is grassroots democracy. All Green parties, including the Scottish Greens, believe that people should have as much power as possible over how their communities and societies are run. A hereditary head of state is clearly incompatible with democracy, yet, in a matter of weeks the full pomp and pageantry of monarchy will be on display when the King does the state opening for a new government.
We should be able to challenge power and elect or remove our head of state through the ballot box, like most democracies do. But, only the Scottish Greens are calling for an independent Scottish republic where power lies with the people rather than being handed down like a family heirloom.
The Monarchy is an outdated and fundamentally undemocratic institution. With a new King on the throne, this is exactly the time to question and challenge the system of hereditary privilege and build a proper democracy.
We are in a cost of living crisis, with households and families all over our country struggling with extortionate bills and soaring costs, At the same time, the UK government spent £100 million pounds on an elaborate celebration for an institution we have never voted for and that many feel increasingly alienated from.
Scotland can be a modern and democratic republic with an elected and accountable head of state. We can be a fairer, greener country where power and sovereignty lies with the people and where the public wealth held by the crown, from land to palaces, is used for community benefit.
Independence would give us the powers and the opportunity to do things differently and to tackle the inequality that is so prevalent.
Independent countries all across the Commonwealth are reconsidering their relationship with Monarchy. It is time for us to do the same.”
I fully endorse all that. My personal view is that I am against all forms of inherited privilege, which includes the UK royal family. I don’t even think they need replacing with a head of state, just remove their status. I'm also completely against stupid rules such as new MPs having to declare allegiance to a royal family they may be completely opposed to.
I also believe the people should be able to choose on key issues like this, so I like the idea of providing options.
Option A: Country Referenda
One could be a referendum. One in England, one in Wales, one in Scotland, and one in Northern Ireland. Let each of the four choose whether they want to keep the royals or not. Those countries that vote to keep the Monarchy can retain the royal family, and pay for their upkeep. Those that choose not to have the royal family will no longer need to contribute to them financially, and can use any royal residences in that country for national purposes. I bet we could house a lot of homeless people in a palace.
Option B: Individual Contribution
A second option is to let people choose on an individual basis. If you want to keep the Monarchy you pay an extra x% in tax to fund them and their lifestyles. If you vote not to support the Monarchy, you don’t pay that extra tax. That way the people who want something are the ones who pay for it.
Promoted by Harriet King on behalf of the Green Party both at The Gate, Keppoch Street, Cardiff CF24 3JW.
My Welsh grandparents couldn't stand the monarchy either. Good for you, Karl!