What we believe

Britain's history has been one of gradual change from absolute monarch toward a modern democracy. And yet that democracy remains incomplete as we continue to hold on to the last remnants of an outdated system of power and privilege.

During the last century and a half, the world has experienced fundamental changes, both political and social. Britain, too, has changed, with democracy and universal suffrage largely replacing an aristocratic and hereditary system. More recently, some powers have been devolved to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London. However, despite all these changes our constitution remains a family affair, a system in which the 'crown' is sovereign and the Windsor family reign supreme. As citizens we should be sovereign, not the crown nor parliament. In a democracy we should be choosing our next Head of State, not leaving it to the genetic lottery of the Windsor family.

Britain still retains a political culture centred on "Her Majesty's Government" - not ours, but hers, a powerful reminder in days gone by of where our place was in the system. The idea of royal "ownership" continues to pervade this culture and to reinforce the idea that the system is not our own.

Despite the extravagant costs of monarchy, and the increasingly erratic behaviour of the royals, our arguments are concerned with democracy, the principle that this is our country and we should choose our heads of state.

We should have the right to elect and hold to account all who hold public office and such people must remember that they are there to serve us, and not vice versa.

It is time to claim the right to our own country and to choose our Head of State.

The Head of State model advocated by Republic

Very simply, we advocate removing the monarchy and replacing the Queen with a directly elected, ceremonial Head of State.

As it says in Republic's policy statement:

"Republic advocates a parliamentary system whereby a ceremonial Head of State would be directly elected by the people. This non-executive Head of State would have only limited reserve powers (such as the power to call elections on the advice of the Prime Minister)."

The Republic model

1. The office of Head of State, to be known as President, will be open to any eligible British citizen.
2. The Head of State will be directly elected by the British people. Besides a ceremonial role, the Head of State would have reserve constitutional powers (such as the power to appoint a Prime Minister, to call elections and to sign Acts of Parliament into law). There will be provision for an impeachment procedure. The position of Prime Minister, as Head of Government, will remain.
3. The Head of State will be equal before the law (as any other citizen), and will take an oath to serve the people, uphold the law and protect the constitution.
4. The term of office will be fixed, perhaps at five years, with a possible maximum of two terms to be served by an individual.
5. The Head of State will be the nominal commander-in-chief of the armed forces which will remain under the control of the government. Any deployment of the armed forces by the government of the day would have to be approved by the Parliament.
6. The Head of State shall assume no military rank or title or appear in public as other than a civilian when discharging his or her official duties whether or not he or she has an entitlement to display a military rank.
7. The Head of State will be required not to involve his or her extended family in the performance of their duties
8. The Head of State will not be a member of, and will be constitutionally independent from, the legislature.
9. The office of the Head of State will have no constitutional link with any religious faith.
10. Officials or persons who are at present required to take oaths of allegiance to the Crown, will publicly swear an oath or make an affirmation to serve the people, uphold the law and protect the Constitution.

These changes will of course require some other amendments to our constitution, not least the writing down of the current royal prerogative powers. These would be dealt with by the Constitutional Convention or by Parliament, being agreed by referenda where appropriate.

Reasons for proposing the Republic model.

There are three straightforward reasons why this model is advocated:

1. This Constitutional Presidency model is closest to what we have now - a Parliamentary democracy with a titular Head of State.
2. Moving to this system would require the least upheaval and is therefore the quickest and simplest route to a democratic future.
3. Opinion polls show that this model is by far the most popular option among the British people.

Republic believes that ultimately the decision on what sort of republic we have must be with the people, those who will be sovereign in our future republic, and not with a convention or with parliament. And it is for this reason that Republic welcomes the support and membership of all those who aspire for Britain to have a democratic alternative to the monarchy.