Showing posts sorted by relevance for query ABOLISH MONARCHY. Sort by date Show all posts

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Why it may be ‘impossible’ for Canada to sever ties with the monarchy

·Editor

Mon, October 10, 2022

Here are ten things you need to know:

Support for the monarchy in Canada has declined

Canadians are wondering whether it makes sense for the country to be tied to the monarchy this day in age. A 2022 poll by the Angus Reid Institute shows at least 51% of Canadians want to abolish the monarchy in Canada.

It's virtually "impossible" to abolish the monarchy

Canada’s Constitutional framework makes it incredibly difficult to sever ties with the monarchy.

“I did say that it is virtually impossible to abolish the monarchy in Canada because of the rule of unanimity. And that's not likely to change any time soon,” says Constitutional law expert David Schneiderman.

Cut ties 3 — Canada's Constitution makes it incredibly challenging to cut ties with the monarchy

The move would require unanimity across the country

Canada would need approval from the House of Commons and the Senate, as well as the unanimous consent of all 10 provinces to amend the Constitution and then abolish the monarchy.

The approval from the three territories is not required since they don’t have independent governing powers but their opinion would be considered as a part of general consensus.

This is not how amendments to the Constitution typically work

Normally you need the consent of the Senate, House of Commons and seven provinces to amend the Constitution. But some some parts of the Constitution can be modified only with the unanimous consent of all the provinces and the two Houses of Parliament.

These include making changes to the monarchy, the use of the English or the French language, the composition of the Supreme Court of Canada and changing the amendment procedure itself.

The last time the Houses and the provinces agreed on an issue was in 1992

The Canadian Houses of Parliament and provincial governments proposed The Charlottetown Accord in 1992. They aimed to obtain Quebec’s consent to the Constitution Act, 1982 which would have recognized Quebec as a distinct society, decentralized some federal powers to the provinces and addressed the issue of Indigenous self-government. But it was submitted to the Canadian public in the form of a referendum and failed.

Canada may need a referendum to abolish the monarchy

“When you're engaging in significant constitutional reform and, you know, an amendment that requires unanimity by its on its arm would suggest that it's significant that that a referendum is required, but it's not legally or constitutionally mandated,” says Professor Schneiderman.

The Angus Reid poll from April 2022 shows that 26% Canadians are unsure of their stance and 24% support continuation of the monarchy. So a public referendum is "unlikely to be successful soon."

Why Barbados succeeded but Australia did not

Barbados was successful at severing its ties to the monarchy whereas Australia attempted a similar move that was unsuccessful.

"Barbados is an interesting counterexample because there was no nationwide referendum. They avoided that risk by running an election campaign on the promise of abolition. And so once the government was elected, the Prime Minister could then take steps to fulfill that election promise, and that's how that was done," Professor Schneiderman explained.

Australia, on the other hand, conducted a nationwide referendum, which failed.

“The Australian public, though approving of moving towards abolition, didn't approve of the scheme that was devised to replace it. And this is why nailing down these kinds of details about what functions a head of state, who is not a member of a family that is part of this hereditary monarchy.”

These details are actually very hard to nail down

Before you can even ask the House of Commons, the Senate, the provinces and the people of Canada, a plan needs to be devised.

While the monarch is only the nominal head of Canada, there are some constitutional functions that he performs in the country.

These have to do with prorogation and dissolution of Parliament, identifying the Prime Minister, who is then invited to form government after an election or after a vote of confidence. But these are actually performed by the King's Delegate in Canada, the Governor-General.

“So if we were to imagine a different form of government, we would require either somebody to serve in this capacity in lieu of the king and his delegates, the governor general. So some president, some figurehead,” says Professor Schneiderman.

This is exactly what Barbados did. They nominated a president in lieu of the King who is now a largely symbolic figure in their democracy.

The entire process could take forever

“Proposals to amend or resolutions to amend the Constitution that require unanimity don't have a due date on. And that's because it's harder to cobble together unanimous consent. So if a resolution were to pass out of a legislative assembly, it could be sitting kind of on the table forever, ” Professor Schneiderman said.

The monarchy in Canada was designed to be difficult to abolish

Professor Schneiderman does not think the monarchy in Canada will be abolished any time soon.

“It's not going to happen. And so the Crown will continue on into perpetuity, which was precisely the design.”

IMPROBABLE AT LEAST

#ABOLISHMONARCHY

Majority of Canadians want referendum on monarchy ties after queen’s death: poll

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, adorned with a Royal Standard and the Imperial State Crown is pulled by a Gun Carriage of The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, during a ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall. Wednesday Sept. 14, 2022. Thousands of members of the public are expected to come to pay their final respects at her lying in state.

(Isabel Infantes/pool photo via AP)© Provided by Global News

Majority of Canadians want referendum on monarchy ties after queen’s death: poll

Nearly 60 per cent of Canadians want a referendum held to determine whether the country stays tied to the British monarchy, a new poll suggests — despite nearly equal support both for and against preserving those ties.

The Ipsos poll, conducted exclusively for Global News just days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, found support for a referendum on the future of the monarchy has gone up since last year, from 53 per cent in 2021 to 58 per cent today.

"(Canadians) would like to have their say," said Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs.

Whether support continues to grow for holding a vote on the issue will likely depend on "the performance of King Charles III and what people feel about him after we get out of this period of mourning" for the queen, Bricker added.

Ipsos interviewed over 1,000 Canadians online earlier this week for the survey.

The results suggest King Charles has a lot to prove with the Canadian public.

While 82 per cent of respondents said they approve of Queen Elizabeth's performance as monarch, just 56 per cent agree Charles will do a good job in her place. Even worse, only 44 per cent said they view Charles favourably, with that support dipping to just 27 per cent for his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort.

"There's never been a great deal of enthusiasm about King Charles," said Bricker, who pointed to the bruising his reputation took in the aftermath of his divorce from Princess Diana.

"People aren't hostile about the new King, but they're certainly not as enamoured with him as they were with his mother. ... That 82 per cent (support) is not just a sympathy number for Queen Elizabeth. She consistently got numbers like this for as long as we've been polling.

"It's a very, very hard act to follow."

‘We shall all miss her immensely’: Canadian MPs pay tribute to Queen in special Parliament session

Notably, Canadians appear eager to skip over King Charles' right entirely and enter the era of William, Charles' son and the new heir apparent.

Compared to 47 per cent of survey respondents who believe King Charles and Camilla will help keep the monarchy relevant to Canada, 60 per cent feel the same about Prince William and Princess Catherine — though that number has fallen seven points since 2016.

Both William and his brother Harry, as well as their respective wives Kate and Meghan, earned a majority of support from respondents compared to their father. William scored the highest support rating among them, with 66 per cent saying they view him favourably.

Read more:
As King Charles III begins his reign, what legacy will he bring to the British throne?

Overall, only a slim majority (54 per cent) said Canada should sever its ties with the monarchy now that Queen Elizabeth has died. That number largely aligns with other polls held both before and after the queen's death.

That majority was largely driven by respondents in Quebec, where 79 per cent of those surveyed agreed Canada should separate from the monarchy. In English Canada, support for such a move only reached 46 per cent on average, with only Saskatchewan and Manitoba seeing a slight majority.

Younger Canadians under 55 years old also drove animosity toward the monarchy, with 57 per cent saying the bond should be severed compared to 49 per cent of older Canadians.

Those relative splits in opinion were also seen when survey participants were asked if they agreed with arguments both for and against keeping the monarchy in Canada.

Poll: Majority of Canadians not feeling impacted by Queen’s death

A small majority (between 55 and 61 per cent) agreed that the constitutional monarchy helps to define Canadian identity and should continue as the current form of government, that keeping the monarchy helps separate Canada from the United States, and that it is important to Canadian heritage.

Yet the roughly same range of respondents also agreed that the royal family should not have any formal role in Canadian society and should not be seen as more than celebrities; that Canada is not a truly independent nation if it stays tied to the monarchy; and that the monarchy is too linked to the history of colonialism and slavery to have a place in modern Canadian society.

"All of this suggests that Canadians are not particularly intense on this issue one way or another, though they are somewhat concerned about it," Bricker said.

"There's definitely more room for the anti-monarchy side to grow ... as one generation replaces the other. But right now ... these symbolic feelings are not enough to trigger something decisive yet."

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between September 13 and 14, 2022, on behalf of Global News. For this survey, a sample of 1,001 Canadians aged 18+ was interviewed. Quotas and weighting were employed to ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the Canadian population according to census parameters. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within ± 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all Canadians aged 18+ been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

GLOBAL NEWS - Sean Boynton - Sept 16, 2022

Messy process to abolish monarchy likely ‘nonstarter’ amid pressing problems: Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the complicated process that would come with any attempts to abolish the monarchy are likely a "nonstarter" for Canadians amid pressing national problems like inflation, climate change and the need for continued work on reconciliation.

Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau arrives at 10 Downing Street for a bilateral meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Liz Truss, in London, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022.

(Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

In an interview with Global News from London, U.K., where he is part of a Canadian delegation attending the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, Trudeau reflected on what her death means for this country, and why he thinks Canadians have bigger things on their minds than abolishing the monarchy.

"We are able to have all the strength of debates that we need to have in Canada without worrying about the overarching stability of institutions because they are embodied by structures that have been in place for hundreds of years," Trudeau said in the interview, which airs in full Sunday on Global National.

"Canadians have been through a lot of constitutional wrangling over the past decades. I think the appetite for what it would take when there are so many big things to focus on, is simply a nonstarter."

Among the big challenges, he pointed to are inflation and the cost of living, climate change, greater clean technology jobs, reconciliation with Canada's Indigenous peoples, and global affairs in what his defence minister, Anita Anand, earlier this year called a "darker" and "more chaotic" world.

Last week, Ipsos polling conducted exclusively for Global News just days after the death of the queen suggested nearly 60 per cent of Canadians want a referendum on the future of the monarchy.

That's an increase from last year, when the sentiment stood at just over half of respondents.

At the same time, that poll suggested there is nearly equal support among those who favour both preserving or eliminating the ties to the monarchy.

In particular, the polling indicated King Charles III has a lot to prove with the Canadian public.

While 82 per cent of respondents said they approved of Queen Elizabeth’s performance as monarch, just 56 per cent agreed Charles will do a good job in her place. Even worse, only 44 per cent said they view Charles favourably, with that support dipping to just 27 per cent for his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort.

“It’s a very, very hard act to follow," said Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs, last week.

However, abolishing the monarchy would require a feat of political maneuvering that has rarely been seen throughout the years, requiring unanimous agreement among the House of Commons, the Senate and all of the provincial legislatures.

Read more:
Queen Elizabeth death: What will her passing mean for the future of Canada’s monarchy?

Trudeau said his impression of the new king is that he will be "steady and engaged and thoughtful like his mother was."

"He knows Canada very well. He spent so much time there. He's been active on protecting the planet, on engaging with people around the world. He's very interested in Indigenous reconciliation," Trudeau said.

"There's a lot of good work to do that he is going to be able to to lead, within the limits and the position he has. But I think his commitment to listening, engaging, learning, embodying a thoughtful, generational path forward rather than short-term political preoccupations is exactly the kind of frame that I think democracies like ours need."

Read more:
Ahead of queen’s funeral, governor general says King Charles ‘committed to reconciliation’

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, who is also in London as part of the delegation for the queen's funeral, expressed similar thoughts in an interview with The West Block's Mercedes Stephenson on Sunday.

Simon, who is the first Indigenous person to hold the position as the monarch's representative in Canada, described King Charles as “very different” from his mother, while being "very committed to reconciliation … between Indigenous peoples and the Crown."

“He has told me directly that he’s committed to working on these issues, and hopefully I’ll have a lot of opportunities to continue working with them," Simon said in the interview.

Video: Gov. Gen. Mary Simon remembers the queen’s calm, steadfast leadership

Trudeau added he believes that rather than being an impediment to reconciliation, the Crown is "a powerful tool" in those efforts.

"It's going to be a part of the path forward. Appointing the first Indigenous Governor-General, for example, was a key step forward in reconciliation," he said.

"Having a King who is making deliberate efforts to learn, to understand, to embody a new relationship with Indigenous peoples that we're developing as a country is essential."

Video: Queen Elizabeth death: Can King Charles III keep the monarchy alive?

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, Trudeau's spouse, also weighed in.

"Symbolic institutions are not just symbols. They also have the power to validate, recognize and legitimize people's emotions and their lives and what they have gone through," she said.

"And I think that holds a great strength and depth."

The symbol that the monarchy represents, the prime minister added, also gives Canadians a powerful opportunity to "position ourselves in the sweep of history" as the Crown passes from the longest-reigning monarch in British history to the first King in 70 years.

"We know how fast everything moves and how complicated, how troubled the world is right now," he continued.

"This is a moment to take stock, to reflect on where we're going and what we're focusing on and how we continue to be there for each other — in a world that is changing, but still has symbols of steadiness that we can anchor ourselves to."

Amanda Connolly - Sept 18, 2022
— With files from Global News' Sean Boynton.

Thursday, December 14, 2023

ABOLISH LIEGE MAJESTY
A newly elected progressive Thai lawmaker is sentenced to 6 years for defaming the monarchy

ABOLISH MONARCHY
JERRY HARMER
Updated Wed, December 13, 2023

Parliament member Rukchanok Srinork of Thailand's opposition Move Forward party arrives at criminal court for the verdict for allegedly violating the lese majeste law in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. A court in Thailand convicted and sentenced Wednesday the recently elected lawmaker to six years in prison for defaming the monarchy under a controversial law that guards the royal institution.

(AP Photo/Sopha Saelee)
ASSOCIATED PRESSMore

BANGKOK (AP) — A court in Thailand convicted and sentenced a recently elected lawmaker Wednesday to six years in prison for defaming the monarchy under a controversial law that guards the royal institution.

Human Rights Watch decried the ruling, saying it “violated her rights to freedom of expression protected under international human rights law.”

Rukchanok Srinork arrived for her court hearing in the capital, Bangkok, as her fellow lawmakers were convening in Parliament.

“I submitted a request to postpone (the hearing) because today the new parliament convenes for its first session, but the court refused. So I came to hear the verdict," she told reporters, standing next to her party leader who was there to lend support.

She was charged over two posts she allegedly shared two years ago on X, the social media platform then known as Twitter. One tweet reportedly defamed the monarchy over links to a coronavirus vaccine and an anti-monarchy quote by 18th-century French philosopher Denis Diderot was allegedly retweeted.

Rukchanok was sentenced to three years on each count under Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, known as lese majeste, which protects the monarchy. She was also convicted under the Computer Crime Act, whose broad provisions covering online activities have been criticized as a threat to freedom of expression.

Late Wednesday, the court granted her release on bail of 500,000 baht ($14,200). If it had been denied, she would have lost her lawmaker status immediately.

The parliamentarian denied she posted the tweets, calling the case against her “weak.” The plaintiff reportedly provided screenshots of the posts, but the police couldn't find the links.

Rukchanok, 29, won a seat in May’s general election, part of a surprise victory for the progressive Move Forward Party that shook Thai politics. The win did not translate into power due to the party being ultimately out-maneuvered by influential conservative forces. She was initially a defender of the conservative establishment before switching sides and joining the progressive movement.

“The prosecution of an opposition member of parliament for two tweets is not only an appalling violation of free expression, but sends a chilling message to other outspoken opposition party members to keep silent,” Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said Thursday in an emailed statement. “The Thai authorities should quash this sentence, and cease prosecuting other cases under the lese majeste law.”

Critics say the lese majeste law is often used to suppress political dissent. The law makes insulting the monarch, his immediate family and the regent punishable by up to 15 years in jail.

The monarchy and the laws that protect it have come under pressure in recent years. In 2020, tens of thousands of predominantly young people marched in several Thai cities, demanding constitutional reform and the abolition of the law against royal defamation. The government's response was an unprecedented slew of prosecutions.

The advocacy group Thai Lawyers for Human Rights says that since early 2020, more than 200 people — many of them student activists — have been charged with violating Article 112.

___

This story corrects the date Rukchanok Srinork was granted bail. It was Wednesday, Dec. 13, not Dec. 6.

Sunday, September 11, 2022

In Quebec, the Queen's death raises questions about future of the monarchy in Canada

MONTREAL — The mixed reactions in Quebec to the death of Queen Elizabeth II highlight the province’s complex relationship with the monarchy.

In Quebec, the Queen's death raises questions about future of the monarchy in Canada

© Provided by The Canadian Press

In the days after the Queen’s death, incumbent Premier Francois Legault — who is currently on the campaign trail ahead of an Oct. 3 election — has faced questions about whether the province should now eliminate the position of lieutenant governor, as well as criticism from the Parti Québécois for lowering the Quebec flag to half mast in honour of the late queen.

Quebec media outlets ran both tributes to the monarch and retrospectives about a riot during her 1964 visit to Quebec City that has become known as "Truncheon Saturday."

The majority of Quebecers don't look kindly on the monarchy for historical reasons as well as their support for democracy, said Gérard Bouchard, a historian and sociologist who teaches at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi.

"In Quebec, this appears to be a vestige of a colonialist era that we thought had disappeared," he said in an interview. "In Quebec, the majority of people would say, 'we don't know why this continues in Canada and we don't know why this has been imposed on us in Quebec.'"

While Quebecers may respect the late queen as an individual, the monarchy brings up memories of the British conquest of New France and British colonial rule over French-speaking Canada, said Bouchard, who studies national myths.

The idea that the head of state is a European monarch also runs counter to Quebecers ideas of democracy, he said, adding opposition to the monarchy is stronger in Quebec among federalists and English-speakers than it is in other parts of Canada.

It was the history of colonialism that Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon seized on as he defended his criticism of Legault’s decision to lower the Quebec flag.

The monarchy was imposed on the people of Quebec by conquest, he said, while the provincial flag, known as the fleurdelisé, represents both the right of Quebecers to exist as a people and the province's democracy.

"We cannot overlook that she represented an in institution, the British crown, that has caused significant harm to Quebecers and Indigenous nations," he told reporters.

The deportation of the Acadians, the execution of the leaders of the Patriot Rebellion in 1839 and, more recently, the repatriation of the constitution without the consent of Quebec were all done in the name of the British crown, he said.

Related video: Commonwealth: Following the death of Elizabeth, 'the future of the monarchy is very much at stake'
Duration 6:38 View on Watch

'Our queen for half of Canada's existence': Canadians mourn Queen Elizabeth

France 24

Queen Elizabeth death: Emotional Trudeau says 'Canada is in mourning'

Global News

Legault, who accused St-Pierre Plamondon of "petty politics," faced questions from journalists who wondered if Quebec would use the opportunity to get rid of the office of lieutenant-governor.

Legault said he knows there have been calls to replace the lieutenant-governor, but noted it's not one of his priorities if he's re-elected.

Quebec has already reduced the prominence of the lieutenant-governor. Unlike the other provinces and the federal government, where legislative sessions open with a speech from the throne delivered by the monarch’s representative, in Quebec the inaugural speech is delivered by the premier.

But it's not just in Quebec where the popularity of the monarchy has been slipping, said Benoît Pelletier, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Ottawa and a former cabinet minister in the Quebec Liberal government of Jean Charest.

In English-speaking Canada, he argued, support for the monarchy is also on the decline.

"I think that over the coming months there will be a debate on the future of the constitutional monarchy," he said, adding that he expects it will eventually lead to a referendum on the issue.

Pelletier said he thinks changing the Canadian constitution to abolish the monarchy would be possible, as long as the negotiations don't attempt to address any other constitutional issues.

He, however, personally supports the monarchy.

"I think that the system works well at this moment and as you say in English, if it ain't broke, don't fix it," he said.

But it is possible, he said, to integrate an elected head of state into a parliamentary system, as was done in Barbados when it became a republic in 2021.

While there have been expressions of republicanism in Quebec’s history, it would be a mistake to conclude that Quebec has always rejected the monarchy, said Marc Chevrier, a political science professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal.

After the conquest, Quebec's French-speaking elites rallied around British institutions, including the monarchy, he said.

There have also been efforts to associate British royalty with the glory of the old French monarchy, he said, noting the Quebec flag references French royal symbols.

Unlike independence movements in places like Ireland, which have been strongly associated with republicanism, the Parti Québécois never promoted such beliefs when it was in power, he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2022.

Jacob Serebrin, The Canadian Press

Friday, September 16, 2022

What the British Monarchy Actually Does—And How Hard It Would Be To Abolish It

Yasmeen Serhan/London - Yesterday

If the outpour of grief—or public polling—in the aftermath of Queen Elizabeth II’s death is anything to go by, it is clear that Britain is still largely a nation of royalists.

But as anti-monarchy sentiment attracts more attention, and as some protesters even get arrested for voicing such views, it’s worth revisiting what role the monarchy plays in Britain’s constitutional system and just how complicated it would be to abolish the institution.

The Imperial State Crown is driven down The Mall, in a Rolls Royce Phantom VI, en route to the Houses of Parliament where Queen Elizabeth II is to deliver The Queen's Speech in the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament on May 11, 2021 in London, England.© Max Mumby—Indigo/Getty

Contrary to conventional wisdom, the power to abolish the monarchy doesn’t lie with the monarch alone. In fact, there isn’t a whole lot that British Kings and Queens can actually do beyond the bounds of their constitutionally-defined mandate—one that primarily involves tasks such as appointing prime ministers, approving new laws, receiving foreign dignitaries, and presiding over the opening and dissolving of parliament. Over the course of Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign, she would have likely held thousands of meetings with the 15 prime ministers she worked with, appointed hundreds of ministers, and given her ascent to an untold number of laws, all while having virtually zero say in who those ministers were or what their legislative agenda ought to have been. As the English poet Tennyson once noted, Britain is a crowned republic—one in which the monarch reigns, but does not rule. The Queen acknowledged these limits in her first televised address to the country in 1957. “I do not give you laws or administer justice. But I can do something else. I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations,” she said.

While the lack of political power doesn’t overshadow the Royal Family’s enormous privilege—especially when it comes to its vast wealth and financial arrangements—it does help explain how such a seemingly outdated institution has persisted for so long. While the pomp, tradition, and sense of history undoubtedly play a part in the monarchy’s continued appeal, so too does the fact that the monarch is seen as an apolitical figure whose entire existence is devoted to service, and therefore above the compromises inherent to electoral politics. Constitutionally-speaking, “the monarch, in almost everything they do, has no choice,” says Robert Hazell, a professor of government and the constitution at University College London. In the case of Queen Elizabeth II, this was perhaps best illustrated by the many times in which she had to play host to authoritarian leaders such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, and Romania’s Nicolae Ceaușescu. Such was the Queen’s lack of autonomy that, as one story goes, she once resorted to hiding in a bush in the Buckingham Palace gardens in order to avoid having another conversation with Ceaușescu, who at the time was her houseguest.

If Britain ever did decide to get rid of the monarchy, it would be a constitutional matter requiring legislation from parliament. Even before that, it would need to be endorsed by the British public through a referendum, which would have to be called for by the government (just as the Brexit referendum was). If such a vote were held today, polling from June suggests that the country would opt to keep the monarchy by a significant margin. And Britain wouldn’t be alone in doing so. Although previous referendums have led to the abolition of the monarchy in Italy and Greece, they have also reaffirmed support for the institution in Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, and Spain.

Getting rid of the monarchy, or simply rescinding it of its ceremonial duties, would constitute “a huge change,” says Hazell, in large part because it would require a complete shakeup of the way the British state is governed. Unlike in the U.S., where the elected President acts as both the country’s head of state and its head of government, Britain’s parliamentary system splits those responsibilities between the monarch, whose role as head of state is inherited at birth, and the Prime Minister, whose role as head of government is decided by the British public (or, in the case of the current occupant of 10 Downing Street, a select group of Conservative Party members).

With the monarch gone, Britain would need a new head of state, as is required in almost all parliamentary systems. This would most likely be in the form of a President, a role that already exists in parliamentary systems such as Germany and Italy. This person would have most of the existing responsibilities of the monarch, such as certifying laws, going on state visits, and speaking to the nation in times of national crisis. But an elected head of state would also likely have the responsibility of acting as “a kind of constitutional umpire,” says Hazell—something that a monarch could never be.

Republicanism isn’t a strong force in Britain at the moment, which makes the abolition of the monarchy unlikely for the foreseeable future. But that could change if the institution does, or if it fails to attract the support of the younger British population. Among those aged 18 to 24, support for the monarchy has fallen from 59% in 2011 to just 33% today.

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

#ABOLISHMONARCHY

IT'S NOT WORTH IT IF IT AIN'T DIFFICULT

Abolishing the monarchy in Canada would be ‘enormously difficult,’ experts say

Emerald Bensadoun GLOBAL NEWS

Calls for Canada to rethink its relationship to the monarchy have been mounting after an explosive interview between Prince Harry, Meghan and Oprah Winfrey on Sunday.

© Provided by Global News LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 25: Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau meets Queen Elizabeth II during a private audience at Buckingham Palace on November 25, 2015 in London, England. This is the first visit of Trudeau in Britain since his election as Canadas Prime Minister. (Photo by Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

In a damning tell-all, Meghan revealed living with the royals left her feeling suicidal and unsupported, prompting her and her husband's royal departure in January of last year. She also indicated there were racist undertones in Buckingham Palace, claiming there were discussions where concerns were expressed over how dark the colour of her son's skin would be.

"I think it's clear. I've said it in the past: I don't see the benefit of the monarchy in Canadians' lives," NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said Tuesday.

"There's no benefit to them and now even more so with concerns about racism in the institution that were raised, and pressures that were placed on Meghan Markle."

Read more: Unaired ‘Oprah With Meghan and Harry’ clips shed more light on royal rift

Canada first became part of the British Commonwealth in 1931 as an independent state, and remains one of 54 Commonwealth nations to this day. The country is considered a constitutional monarchy, a system which allows the monarch -- in this case, Queen Elizabeth II -- to exercise power in accordance with Canada's Constitution.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has refused to comment directly on the interview. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, he said he wouldn't comment on "what's going on over in the U.K., but I will continue to endeavour to fight against racism and intolerance every single day in Canada."

"There are many institutions that we have in this country, including that big building right across the street from us, parliament, that has and is built around a system of colonialism, of discrimination, of systemic racism in all of our institutions," he said.

"But the answer is not to suddenly toss out all the institutions and start over."

But even if it were, experts say it would be a near-futile effort for the federal government to extricate itself from the monarchy, and a process that could take years to complete.

The monarchy versus the Royal Family

First and foremost, what the Royal Family does differs greatly from the monarchy's role in Canada.

"Most often, people will just associate the fact of Canada's status as a monarchy with the queen and with the rest of the royals, but they actually play almost no role whatsoever in Canadian governance," Emmett Macfarlane, an associate professor with the University of Waterloo, told Global News.

"Even the Queen herself, almost all of her duties are actually accomplished in practice by the Governor-General as her representative in Canada."

Read more: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s comments raise race issue in Commonwealth nations

What does the monarchy do for Canada?

The monarchy plays two roles in Canada: constitutional and ceremonial.

Much of Canada's Constitution is based on unwritten customs and traditions. The Queen possesses emergency powers that are there to be used by the Crown if need be, such as refusing royal assent or dismissing a government.

"Our constitution vests executive power in the Queen. Not Parliament, not the people; it's vested in the Queen. Of course, that doesn't mean she actually governs," Robert Finch, dominion chairman and president of the Monarchist League of Canada, told Global News.

The Queen acts solely on the advice of elected politicians.

Video: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle interview: The most shocking revelations of the night

"The notion that the prime minister and cabinet governs by using power that belongs to a non-partisan monarch is a fundamental feature of Canada's system of government," he said.

The monarchy also acts as a symbol. Finch said the Queen and the Crown can be a "wonderful force" for national unity and Canadian identity, which is why awards such as the Order of Canada are given in the name of the Queen, for instance.

A good example of this is the Royal Tour, he added.

"Look at the crowds that come out to see the Queen or a member of the Royal Family when they are in Canada," said Finch.

"Nobody else can garner such a crowd — diverse in age, ethnicity, politics, language, social-economic background, etc. — as they can. That's the ceremonial role of the Crown."

Read more: Royal Family remains ‘stoic and silent’: Experts react to tell-all Oprah interview

Abolishing the monarchy could prove a royal pain

According to Section 41 of the Constitution Act, the full abolition of the "office of the Queen" would require Parliament, the House of Commons, the Senate and all 10 provinces and territories to unanimously agree to amend the Constitution.

Macfarlane said this process could take years, and there would also need to be "intensive consultations with Canada's Indigenous populations," given the historical connections between the Crown and Indigenous peoples as part of the treaty system.

"Politicians are enormously reluctant, even unwilling to touch the Constitution because it's automatically seen as a national unity issue," Macfarlane said.

"It would be an enormously difficult undertaking, especially in the case of full abolition."

In fact, it would be easier to get rid of the monarchy in the U.K. than it would be in Canada, as Britain's governing structure requires fewer permissions before making fundamental changes.

Video: The Queen reacts to Meghan and Harry interview, says issues raised including race ‘concerning’
What would replace it?

If Canada were to abolish the monarchy, Macfarlane said the next natural step would be from a constitutional monarchy to a republic, like that of the United States.

In a republic, the head of state is elected separately from the legislature in what is known as a "diffusion of power."

According to Macfarlane, this is the core distinction between a parliamentary constitutional monarchy and a republic.

"By having a separate elected head of state, you have another locus of power separate from the legislative branch, where(as) in our system, traditionally the legislature or the elected parliament is the supreme locus of power in that it is what determines who serves in government," he said.

However, Macfarlane noted that republics don't always produce good governance. He said interactions between the White House and Congress can be "unhealthy" and "divisive," and make it harder to get things done.

An example of this is the use of executive orders, which political leaders use to issue directives without having to put them to a vote of any kind.

"We saw Trump initiate basically a ban on immigration or travel from certain countries. We saw him reallocate funds designed for other purposes to be put towards the border wall. Many of these things were done with legislation in mind," he said.

"Through executive orders and when you have elected actors (or even unelected actors), there's always a threat in state governance for expanding that locus of power beyond its its proper limits."

Rising number of Canadians support dropping monarchy: poll

A new B.C. poll suggests more and more Canadians are ready to rethink our royal relationship. Kylie Stanton has more on what may be driving the shift to ditch the monarchy and reaction from those defending the Canadian Crown.

Rising number of Canadians support dropping monarchy: poll | Watch News Videos Online (globalnews.ca)

Sunday, May 07, 2023

Arrest of anti-monarchy protesters 'direct attack on democracy': UK republican group

'Right to protest peacefully in UK no longer exists,' says Graham Smith who was among arrested in London ahead of coronation ceremony

Burak Bir |07.05.2023

Credit: Twitter @RepublicStaff

LONDON

Arrest of anti-monarchy protesters is "a direct attack" on the UK's democracy, Britain's leading republican group said on Sunday.

"The right to protest peacefully in the UK no longer exists. Instead we have a freedom to protest that is contingent on political decisions made by ministers and senior police officers," Graham Smith, the chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, said in a statement.

Six Republic protesters, including Smith, were arrested in central London ahead of the coronation of King Charles III. Police also seized hundreds of signs reading "Not My King." They were released late on Saturday.

"Crown is one part of the country's "failing constitution" that concentrates too much power "at the expense of parliament and people," he asserted.

Reiterating their demand for "a fundamental shift" in power, Smith vowed to keep protesting the monarchy.

"We will not be deterred from further protest ... As much as possible we will continue to protest wherever Charles goes, wherever William goes," he said.

"We will continue to protest with one simple message: Charles is not our king, it is time to abolish the monarchy," added Smith.

Coronation

In the country's first coronation service in nearly 70 years, Britain's King Charles III on Saturday was crowned along with Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, the site of coronations in Britain since 1066 – nearly a millennium ago.

Following the coronation service conducted by the archbishop of Canterbury, the senior bishop of the Church of England, Charles was crowned with the historical St. Edward's Crown, while Queen Camilla wore a modified version of the Crown of Queen Mary, fashioned in 1911.

He is the 40th British monarch to take the traditional Oath of Faithful Service.

Charles ascended the throne on Sept. 8, 2022, following the death of his long-serving mother Queen Elizabeth II.

Anti-Monarchy Group Slams Coronation Arrests And Vows To Continue Protesting

"We will continue to protest with one simple message: Charles is not our king, it is time to abolish the monarchy."

Sophia Sleigh

HUFFPOST
May 7, 2023

Protesters and Graham Smith from Republic, pictured above.
GETTY

Furious republicans have told the police to “hang their heads in shame” after protesters were arrested at King Charles’ coronation.

Graham Smith, CEO of anti-monarchy group Republic, said the right to protest peacefully in the UK “no longer exists.”

He blasted the Met Police for showing “no judgement, no common sense and no basic decency” after scores of demonstrators were arrested on Saturday

Smith described it as a “direct attack on our democracy and the fundamental rights of every person in the country.”

He was arrested among 52 people during the king’s coronation on Saturday before being released after nearly 16 hours in police custody.

The Metropolitan Police Service has faced criticism after more than 50 people were arrested for alleged affray, public nuisance and breach-of-the-peace offenses.

The arrests were described by human rights organizations as a “dangerous precedent” for a democratic nation.

In a statement following his release, Smith said: “Yesterday, as we prepared for a peaceful and lawful protest, a number of Republic’s team were arrested and detained for the rest of the day.

“These arrests are a direct attack on our democracy and the fundamental rights of every person in the country.

A policeman is seen carrying a banner taken away from protesters during an Anti-monarchist protest during King Charles III's Coronation.
SOPA IMAGES VIA GETTY IMAGES

“Each and every police officer involved on the ground should hang their heads in shame. They showed no judgement, no common sense and no basic decency.

“This was a heavy handed action which had the appearance of a pre-determined arrest that would have occurred regardless of the evidence or our actions.

“The right to protest peacefully in the UK no longer exists. Instead we have a freedom to protest that is contingent on political decisions made by ministers and senior police officers.”

Smith said the arrests had “destroyed” whatever trust might have existed between peaceful protesters and the Met Police.

He questioned what was the point in the protesters being “open and candid with the police, working with their liaison officers and meeting senior commanders” if this is what happens.

A protester holds a placard which states 'This country is ours' during the demonstration.
SOPA IMAGES VIA GETTY IMAGES

The campaigner insisted they would not be deterred from further protest, adding: “We will continue to protest with one simple message: Charles is not our king, it is time to abolish the monarchy.”

However, culture secretary Lucy Frazer insisted the police got the “balance right” and denied that officers had gone too far.

She told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge: “I think, overall, they managed to get that balance right.”

Home secretary Suella Braverman also praised the police for their actions, tweeting: “I’m incredibly grateful to the police for all their hard work at today’s coronation celebration to ensure it was safe and passed without incident.”

Met Police commander Karen Findlay acknowledged concerns about the arrest of protesters but defended Scotland Yard’s actions, saying: “Our duty is to do so in a proportionate manner”.

Protestors from the group Republic gather in their hundreds in Trafalgar square to say 'Not My King' in central London.
ANDREW AITCHISON VIA GETTY IMAGES

She said: “We absolutely understand public concern following the arrests we made [on Saturday morning].

“Protest is lawful and it can be disruptive. We have policed numerous protests without intervention in the build-up to the coronation, and during it.

“Our duty is to do so in a proportionate manner in line with relevant legislation. We also have a duty to intervene when protest becomes criminal and may cause serious disruption.

“This depends on the context. The coronation is a once in a generation event and that is a key consideration in our assessment.

“A protest involving large numbers has gone ahead today with police knowledge and no intervention.”

The Met said it received information that protesters were “determined to disrupt” the coronation – including defacing public monuments with paint, breaching barriers and disrupting official movements.

They confirmed 52 people were arrested for affray, public order offenses, breach of the peace and conspiracy to cause a public nuisance around the coronation.

Under the controversial new Public Order Act, protesters who have an object with the intention of using it to “lock on” are liable to a fine, with those who block roads facing 12 months in prison.

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

ABOLISH THE MONARCHY
More Canadians see monarchy as 'outdated' but political risks block change

:People walk by as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth appears on the

National Arts Centre, after Queen Elizabeth's passing, in Ottaw

By Steve Scherer

OTTAWA (Reuters) -A growing number of Canadians do not want a foreign monarch to represent them despite deep historical ties to Britain and affection for the queen, but risks that come with constitutional reform mean there is little political will for change.

Britain colonized Canada beginning in the late 1500s, and the country formally remained part of the British empire until 1982. Now it is a member of the Commonwealth of former empire countries that have the British monarch as head of state.

Dozens of Canadian city names, like London and Windsor, reflect the enduring ties. But according to an Angus Reid Institute poll from April, 51% of Canadians do not want the monarchy to continue as its ceremonial figurehead, up from 45% in January 2020. Only 26% of respondents said it should and 24% were unsure.

Further, according to a Leger poll published on Tuesday, some 77% of Canadians said they feel no attachment to the British monarchy.

"Canada is the only G7 country whose head of state is another country's citizen," said Flavio Volpe, president of Canada's Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association.

"I prefer someone from Windsor than from the House of Windsor" to be head of state, said Volpe, referring to the Canadian city across the river from Detroit.

"We should have serious conversations as a country about whether we can find a Canadian to fill a ceremonial post."

The death of Queen Elizabeth last week triggered a huge outpouring of affection in Canada, but most find their relationship with a foreign sovereign awkward. A ceremony was held in Ottawa on Saturday to proclaim the accession of Britain's King Charles.

"The monarchy is outdated and has no relevance in our government. I think it's time we just stood on our own," said John Nielsen, 61, a contractor in Ottawa.

Those from Quebec, the mostly French-speaking province, feel even less kinship with Britain, with 71% in the Angus Reid poll saying they no longer see a need for monarchy, and 87% saying they feel no attachment to the royal family in the Leger poll.

A fifth of Canada's population are newcomers with little connection to Britain, and indigenous peoples tend to harbor little fondness for the colonial power. In one example of their feelings, indigenous activists pulled down a statue of the queen on the grounds of the Manitoba legislature in 2021.

"Besides a whole lot of photo opportunities alongside chiefs in headdresses, the reign of Queen Elizabeth will forever be marked by inaction," Niigaan Sinclair, a professor of Indigenous Studies at the University of Manitoba, said in a column for the Winnipeg Free Press published after her death.

QUEBEC AND TREATIES

Pro-monarchy Canadians and analysts say the constitutional monarchy is a well-functioning democratic system, and more importantly, changing it would be both complex and politically risky.

Quebec, which has sought independence twice in referendums, has never formally approved the constitution, and most of the treaties with indigenous peoples were signed with the Crown, not the Canadian government. These treaties set up reserves, guaranteed hunting and fishing rights, and sometimes included annual payments.

Both issues would be politically thorny if Canada overhauled its constitution.

Constitutional wrangling with Quebec in the past has been political poison, with two attempts to introduce constitutional amendments in the both late 1980s and early 1990s failing, while at the same time energizing the Quebec sovereignty debate.

"The massive constitutional effort of removing the Crown would inevitably invite many other suggestions for constitutional change. Canada went down this road in the 1980s and 1990s and the country nearly collapsed from all the competing demands," said Jonathan Malloy, professor of political science at Ottawa's Carleton University.

At least seven provincial legislatures representing more than 50% of the population, plus parliament, must approve constitutional amendments.

Al Carl, 73, is an Ottawa pensioner who says the monarchy provides stability in a divided political landscape and "differentiates us from the United States". Changing the constitution would be untenable, Carl said.

"How do you do that with the divisiveness of our politics? How would you ever get Quebec to agree to anything?" he said.

'AS LONG AS THE RIVERS FLOW'

Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, when asked about his position regarding the monarchy on Tuesday, said Canada's democracy is healthy and while he is always open to "strengthening" it, "Canadians are almost entirely preoccupied with the big issues we're facing" like climate change and the economy.

Without endorsing the monarchy or closing the door to a debate, Trudeau said his government would focus on the issues important to Canadians.

Malloy said he is personally "uncomfortable" with the constitutional monarchy and "its feudal, colonial, and wildly elitist underpinnings," adding, however, that "it does basically work" and so changing it is "a low political priority".

First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald brushed off concerns about the effect of a constitutional change on treaties, though she did not endorse a constitutional overhaul.

"First Nations will always have a relationship with the Crown no matter what Canada does as a corporation," Archibald told Reuters. "As long as the sun shines, the rivers flow and the grass grows, these covenants remain in effect."

(Reporting by Steve Scherer in Ottawa, additional reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny in Toronto and Allison Lampert in Montreal, editing by Deepa Babington)

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Thai protesters call for end of monarchy on king's birthday
The king's passivity during the COVID-19 pandemic has made him the target of unprecedented criticism at home and abroad. As Thailand struggles to cope with the crisis, he is gallivanting miles away in Germany.

Thailand celebrated the 68th birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Tuesday with official religious ceremonies and public displays of loyalty throughout the country. The king himself, however, was absent from his own festivities.

As anti-government protests gain momentum and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic grip the country, the monarch and his entourage have sought refuge in a luxurious hotel in the Bavarian Alps. The Thai king is known to reside in Germany for long periods of time.

Read more: Thailand's king living in luxury quarantine while his country suffers

On the morning of the king's birthday, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha led an annual oath-swearing ceremony with his cabinet members and 69 Buddhist monks in Bangkok's Sanam Luang Square — vowing to be loyal civil servants to the king, also known as Rama X.

"We solemnly swear that we will do good work and be the strength of the country. We will follow in His Majesty's footsteps to solve the problems of the nation and the people," said Prayut and his cabinet.

For Thais who revere the monarchy, Vajiralongkorn's birthday is an important time of year. For others, it is a reminder of outdated traditions and the mass inequality that exists in the country.

Vajiralongkorn's passivity during the pandemic has also made him the target of unprecedented criticism in a country where the monarchy plays an important role for many.
https://www.dw.com/en/thai-protesters-call-for-end-of-monarchy-on-kings-birthday/a-54367300
Thai elephants face starvation as tourism drops

Growing anti-monarchy sentiments

Coverage of the king's lavish life abroad circulating in foreign media outlets cannot be reported in Thailand due to its strict lese majeste law, which prohibits any disparaging statements or opinions about the king and the royal family. Failing to adhere to Article 112 is a crime punishable by three to 15 years in prison.

In June, the prime minister said the king, in his "compassion," had instructed the government not to enforce Article 112 for persecutions but warned that anyone who criticizes the monarchy risks their livelihood.

Read more: Coronavirus aggravates Thailand's plastic waste crisis

Exiled activist Junya Yimprasert told DW: "Article 112 is still a threat as long as it exists because it's used periodically and systematically."

Despite draconian laws on speaking out against the monarchy, Thais have taken to the streets and social media platforms to vocalize their frustrations. Student-led anti-government protests have been spotted, with demonstrators brandishing placards and banners with messages critical of the king. The slogans, however, were disguised with slang and sarcasm.

The Free Youth movement staged a political rally in Bangkok on July 18 to demand the dissolution of parliament and an end to crackdowns on anyone opposing the government and constitutional reforms. They carried signs reading "Lost faith is definitely not a crime" and "We didn't lose faith because we never had faith," referring to political and human rights activist Tiwagorn Withiton.

Read more: Thai king strips former PM Thaksin Shinawatra of royal honors

'I lost faith in the monarchy'

Withiton was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in early July against his will after he spoke out against the forced disappearance of Thai dissident Wanchalearm Satsaksit in Cambodia. Satsaksit had been critical of Thailand's military and monarchy.

Withiton had posted a photo on Facebook in which he was wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with "I lost faith in the monarchy." Security officers paid him a visit and tried to convince him to stop wearing the T-shirt, citing that it could cause division in Thailand.

Read more: Thai activists accused of defaming king 'disappear'

After continuing to wear the T-shirt in public, the activist was taken forcibly from his home in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen.

"It's a medical issue," Major General Puttiphong Musikun, provincial police chief for Khon Kaen, told DW, without giving further details.

Withiton's alleged abduction sparked an online uproar, with netizens demanding answers under the hashtags #SaveWanchalearm and #Abolish112.

After two weeks in hospital, Withiton was unexpectedly freed on July 22. He said ongoing protests calling for his release were the catalyst for his freedom.

"Right now, I have to recover physically and emotionally after being admitted to the hospital," said Withiton.

Read more: Rights group slams Thailand's repressive laws to intensify crackdown on COVID-19 critics
https://www.dw.com/en/thai-protesters-call-for-end-of-monarchy-on-kings-birthday/a-54367300
Thailand: COVID-19 and tourism's collapse

Protests expand to Germany

Some 8,500 kilometers (5,300 miles) to the northwest, members of the German non-profit PixelHELPER Foundation and Thai nationals living abroad gathered to stage a protest on the king's birthday.

Led by exiled activist Junya Yimprasert, protesters gathered in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate and held signs which read: "Thai king to International Criminal Court (ICC)." They also erected a makeshift guillotine with a caricature of Rama X behind bars.

"Our goal is to abolish the monarchy," said Yimprasert. The 54-year-old has been using an unconventional approach to catch the king's attention. For weeks, she and fellow protesters have used a light projector to display anti-monarchy messages on the front walls of the Grand Hotel Sonnenbichl in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where the king currently resides.

To garner more attention, the group has also projected comical illustrations featuring Rama X onto the walls of the German parliament and the home of Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The activists now intend to step up the protest. "We are searching for old fire brigade cars to drive alongside him [the king] when he goes biking. We want to end the fun of his private life and convey to him that it's not so nice that he stays in Germany," said PixelHELPER founder Oliver Bienkowski.

Speaking with DW, Bienkowski said the group is also planning to stage a 24/7 protest in front of the king's hotel and expand their efforts to other European countries, including Switzerland, where Queen Suthida is believed to be staying.

The Berlin-based organization also wants to target Thailand's tourism sector to make Germans "aware of the situation" in the Southeast Asian country.

Thailand's Royal Office did not respond to DW's requests for comments about the ongoing protests and the king's role in Thailand given his absence.

ORNATE CORONATION CEREMONIES IN THAILAND
Wearing a 200-year-old crown
In one of Saturday's ceremonies, the king put on a crown weighing 7.3 kilograms (16 pounds) and measuring 66 centimeters (26 inches) in height. It symbolizes his royal powers, which include the right to intervene in government affairs. "I shall reign in righteousness for the benefits of the kingdom and the people forever," he said in his traditional first royal command.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7