78% of Britons support the Monarchy

Almost 80% of people questioned in a telephone poll for the BBC have said Britain should retain its monarchy.

Some 78% of respondents agreed that Britain should still have a royal family and 19% disagreed.

Asked if the monarchy should end when Queen Elizabeth dies, 68% disagreed and 28% agreed.

Source: BBC News

This is quite interesting, since the extent of republicanism is pretty difficult to judge without such polls (as is the extent of true support for the Monarchy, for that matter).

Does anyone else find it rather ironic that British people have a higher opinion of an unelected, hereditary family than pretty much any elected politician of recent times?

I think only Blair has achieved an approval rating of above 80% in the last couple of decades (Major, Thatcher and Callaghan didn't manage it... it was probably only Churchill before that).

Maybe its because we Americans dont quite understand it but its my understanding that the British monarch does not have any day to day power? Is that correct?

She does seem like an amazing person, I honestly feel that she is a major reason why the UK has been able to remain such a strong nation over the years. Shes like the glue that holds the nation together I guess.

reply to post by ChrisF231


Yeah, that's right.

Her role is basically ceremonial, with theoretical powers that couldn't be used in practice. They're basically just constitutional loose ends that haven't been tied up properly.

The Monarch does play an important diplomatic role, though; she can represent British interests without being political, if you see what I mean (because she isn't a politician, she doesn't belong to any political party and she can't vote). Besides which she's popular abroad too (you may remember her visit to the US back in May, which was a great success - there was also another very successful trip to the Baltic States, where she was very popular).

Jolly good show, what!

I think it's fair to say that all over the world no matter how much the people want change they still have respect for tradition.

Long live the Queen.

MonKey

Well, thats not much of a surprise. Aside from our resident Republican, Infinite, I know not of any other person who wishes the Monarchy abolished.

I suppose Infinite's assertion that "swathes" of the UK public want rid of the Queen has been blown clean out of the water and wasn't even welcome on the beach.....

God save the Queen! And if he has time, maybe he could do me a favour too...

They asked 1000 people? Well it must be representative then.

Sorry. Polls mean squat - especially at that level.

Personally I have nothing against having a King and Queen. However, in the absence of the good old fashion violent, public removal of the monarchy, I think we should be voting them in.

I honestly think that Posh and Becks would bring in more cash, be more relevant to the public and would certainly be more entertaining.

Sod the lifeless, zombie-esque old farts, scones and corgis.

Let's liven the place up a bit

Every 4 years I reckon. Will give us something to look forward to when we dont qualify for the the World Cup or Euros!

Who would you vote for?

[edit on 2/1/2008 by skibtz]

reply to post by skibtz


Most polls are done with a sample size of a thousand or so, but the method is scientific and representative of the population. I understand your skepticism in polls, but they are usually accurate to within +/- 5%.

I'm sorry it may just be the American in me but I could not voluntarily bow down on my knee to any one and be a subject to them. What makes them any better than you or me? Simply because of their bloodline?

No thanks, keep your queen if you like but I'll never understand why.

I say this with all due respect.

reply to post by Mogwai


No one has to do anything, in regards to interactions with the Royals. If you liked, you could stand there, not bow and fart in front of her, without anyone doing anything bar telling you that you're a "rude man!"..

Same as if you did it with your gran.

EDIT: Besides, from what we see, you Yanks kiss your President's arse much more than we would ever kiss the queens arse.





[edit on 6/1/08 by stumason]

reply to post by stumason

As I read your post I was thinking "wow, what an understanding guy, maybe I am wrong about this whole thing". and then I read your edit and decide that you actually are just another one of the hundred American hating Brits on this forum.

Thank you for bringing me back to reality. Enjoy your queen and dont forget to curtsy.

reply to post by Mogwai


How you got American hating out of that, I don't know. Why is it Americans get offended at everything?

I wasn't trying to be offensive, merely pointing out that you guys "love" your president's. What makes them so special that they deserve all the super treatment they get?

You all fawn over the President, do you not? If he came to town, you'd be out in the rain waving you flag, would you not? It's what you guys do, isn't it?

Me thinks your a tad sensitive. Why is that? You come into a thread, in the UK politics section and question why we "willingly subject ourselves to the crown" and then take the moral high ground by stating, as a fact, that you would never do it because what makes them so special.

Well, what makes your President's so damn special that you have to kiss their arses all the time? Most of them are descending from the rich, aristocratic families that used to serve the Crown but have since gone into business themselves.

I won't curtsy, as that is what Women do. Nor will I bow, as I can't be arsed.

BBC spin strikes again.

I'd love to see how the question was asked.

Plus, I doubt its near 78%, I'm surprised how many republicans I meet daily. People lie to the opinion polls.

And, many are unaware of an alternative to the Monarchy and are fed lies about how "special" "tradition" is and how much Lizzy "cares" for her subjects

The day she departs, I'm getting smashed with fellow republicans....to hell with that heartless cow.

[edit on 6-1-2008 by infinite]

reply to post by infinite


You could say pretty much every poll question ever asked is 'spun', infinite. For instance, take this excerpt from the fantastic 1980s comedy Yes, Minister regarding reintroducing national service - you can listen to it here or read the transcript here. An opinion poll is an opinion poll... the acid test is an election or referendum, but there isn't any great desire for that.

I don't think Britain will become a republic in my lifetime. As national identity seems to be growing more and more important to some people the monarchy stands as a bastion of strength in a sea of change (and people aren't fond of a lot of change... that's human nature). The idea of having a President is a foreign concept in the UK, and there's only been... what... about eleven years in the last thousand during which Britain has been a republic (and Oliver Cromwell was a king in all but name anyway).

Strangely, Infinite, this seems to be the only major area where we disagree.

Originally posted by infinite
The day she departs, I'm getting smashed with fellow republicans....to hell with that heartless cow.
[edit on 6-1-2008 by infinite]

Heartless ? Know her personally, huh ? I don't.

I just remember the day the Queen visited my neighbourhood. Most of the locals turned out to see her ... and this is the West of Scotland I'm talking about, socialist paradise n'all, not some picture postcard village in the Home Counties. Everyone was excited to see her.

If you want change, Infinite, tell us your alternative ... elected President ? How's that going to work ? I'll tell you how ... straight Labour/Conservative/Lib Dem ... and we'll end up with some tired old has-been whose attempts to "advise, warn & encourage" the government will fall completely on deaf ears.

To that extent a President will be an even less effective check on the government than the Queen is today.

As much an American and a democrat as I am, I admit to a certain fascination with the royal family. I can't really explain it. They're stodgy, stuffy and elitist and are always embarrassing themselves and each other. Still, I saw "The Queen" and loved it, and have just finished reading "The Diana Chronicles." I would hate for England to do away with its monarchy; they provide so much entertainment.

78% of Britons support the Monarchy - Rubbish. Out of 1000 people and I'd assume a non-random group? Most of the country of a certain age and socio-economic grouping wouldn't understand the question to answer with any meaning, I suspect?

I personally don’t see the point of them (I think we could survive the economic argument). They don’t play any role in my life and I’d bet that apart from filling some sentimental void they don’t in yours also?

What is she a Queen of anyway? England, UK, our hearts hehehehee? I think those that defend the Monarch would do well to divert their fervour elsewhere, say, keeping some semblance of country as we hand more and more of this Island over to Europe/IMF/WTO etc etc

I would have to say that this poll is a load of twaddle, I did a quick poll of friends and family and the prominant answer was "I couldn't careless".

I wonder if the BBC poll had to be answered yes or no only.

When asked which faith you are the prominant answer in Britain would "C of E", Why?.......because they have no idea what faith is, its far easier to just tick a generic box rather than have to think for yourselves.

reply to post by Ste2652


I live in the Uk, and i do not surrport the monarchy in any way shape or form. I think of my self very proud and i think that England is the greatest country on Earth, but that queeny has to go, she doesnt really do anything, just does that wave. Stop giving her money and start helping others that need it.

ProTo

I don't really know that much about the whole situation, The Queen, well i suppose she is a kind of diplomat, i don't know what purpose the royal family holds, and have never taken much interest.

It's quite evident some posters haven't actually got a clue about the monarchy and are just rehashing old stereotypes that have no substance to them.

It pains me to see ignorance so prevalent and my missus wonders why I don't like people.