Republicans in the UK have announced plans to campaign for a referendum on the monarchy after the Queen dies.
The plans are the work of Republic, a movement with 5,000 mmbers and 35,000 supporters, who claim that the Royal Family aren’t the ‘harmless tourist attraction’ that people have made them out to be.
Instead they believe that the British monarchy has a long history of abusing public money and meddling in UK politics, The Independent reports.
Republic released a statement announcing their plans on the eve of the Queen’s 90th birthday alongside a message wishing her majesty a happy birthday.
Speaking to The Independent Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, claimed that the organisation’s view is to have a referendum as soon as possible.
Mr Smith believes that the period of time in between the Queen’s funeral and Prince Charles’s coronation will be the most opportune moment for a national referendum.
He said:
It will be the first time most people have seen a change in the head of state. I think that’s going to be a slightly odd, jarring experience for a lot of people. All of a sudden you’ve got this this other monarch who has been hoisted upon us and no debate about who it is going to be.
For once, actually seeing hereditary power in practice – you’ll actually see the inheritance of the throne taking place.
In a recent convention of the Alliance of European Republic Movements in Madrid Mr Smith said that while there is ‘nothing wrong with turning 90,’ there is ‘something wrong with turning 90 when you have been Queen of England for sixty-something years’.
Mr Smith added:
When the Queen dies, the moment she is declared dead, Charles is king. So there is no gap. And there is certainly no official plan for a referendum. He is king immediately. The coronation would be about six months later.
So that will be an opportunity, after the funeral and before the coronation, for us to do some campaigning and say, ‘Hang on a minute, this is the 21st century, if we are going to have a new head of state then perhaps we want to have a vote.
Mr Smith has also criticised the BBC for inappropriately celebrating a political figure like the Queen claiming the public aren’t that excited about the monarchy.
More of a concept than a journalist, Tom Percival was forged in the bowels of Salford University from which he emerged grasping a Masters in journalism.
Since then his rise has been described by himself as ‘meteoric’ rising to the esteemed rank of Social Editor at UNILAD as well as working at the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and ITV.
He credits his success to three core techniques, name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake.