AGREEING TO DIFFER

I’ve read quite a few articles following the birth of the new Prince of Cambridge – but then again, who hasn’t? One of them I found particularly thought provoking by Seumas Milne in the Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/23/cut-anti-democratic-dynasty-out-of-politics) contemplated the idea of a monarchy-free UK.

He pointed out the popular rejection of monarchy in 1645 and how Britain could become more egalitarian without an hereditary elite. What he did not mention however, was the even-more popular restoration of 1660, the so-called “Glorious Revolution” of 1688 which replaced one monarch with not one but two, or, indeed, what would the United Kingdom be called without a monarchy. Given that the official title of Macedonia is the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (or FYROM for short; sounds like a computer virus to me!) we could now have the Semi-United Republic Of Former Monarchies (or SUROFM – which sounds like a radio station!)

A brief summary of the comments made by Guardian readers – a category into which I often fit – seemed to underline that although people do appreciate the feel-good factor of a non-political (in theory at least) head of state, there is a general dislike for the fawning reaction of many, the outdated bowing and scraping as well as the perceived presence of an hereditary elite. In short, let’s have a republic with an elected leader and all these ills will disappear!

I moved to France in 1987 having spent twenty-one years growing up in the UK. So although I have spent a little longer living in the French Republic, I still have strong emotional and physical ties with Britain due to growing up under a monarchy. I particularly remember the Winter of Discontent and the election of Margaret Thatcher, I remember the Falklands War, the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the death of Bobby Sands, I recall football hooliganism, cheap beer in smoke-filled pubs, the miners’ strike, cheap buses etc etc. However, I missed out on BBC (Blair, Brown, Cameron), devolution in Scotland and Wales, elected mayors and peace in Northern Ireland – but I watched very closely from the sidelines!

So how do I compare the Republic on one hand with the Monarchy on the other?

Well, in one country, there is a cult of personality around the head of state without pouring of affection at the birth of a child, rampant nepotism and corruption within the ruling party, an upper house whose members are chosen in a very archaic and opaque manner, elitism and privileges passed down over the centuries. The “ordinary” people have to put up with rising house prices, deteriorating health and education, urban tensions often caused by police heavy-handedness and/or disaffected youths. The immigrant population, a result of 18 & 19th century colonial adventures, accused by many of not doing enough to fit, and the growth of parties on the extreme right. At the same time, the regular conservative parties lurch to the right to stem the flow of electors while the parties of the centre and left appear bereft of ideas and direction! As for popular culture – an obsession with overpaid sports stars, singers and film stars who flit from one scandal to another. Any sports victory is hailed as a triumph for all to embrace and celebrate – and those who don’t are shunned for being over-negative or even unpatriotic.

And from what I can see, it’s pretty much the same in the UK too...

In a nutshell, both systems have advantages and disadvantages; and I don’t believe Britain’s inherent difficulties would disappear with the removal of monarchy and the installation of the republic that some Guardian readers espouse. It may help to limit some of the excesses, but I can’t see it sweeping all inequalities before it in a wave of cleansing egalitarianism.

One of the more surprising things about the British monarchy is its cost effectiveness! How much does it all cost? Depending on the statistics or reports, somewhere between £40 and £50 million per year. Sounds a lot, but that’s basically £1 per person per year. Less than the price of a cup of tea – hardly enough to break the bank! And how much does it bring in? When you see all the tourists buying souvenir t-shirts, plates, mugs etc with a picture of the Queen, Diana, William and Kate, I’m pretty sure they’re contributing more than £1 to the economy!

The annual cost of the French presidency seems to be a closely guarded secret. But one thing is clear – how many people have I seen with t-shirts of François Mitterrand or mugs of Nicolas Sarkozy?....none at all!

So while I agree with the Guardian readers who cringed on hearing people describe the birth of Prince George Alexander Louis to assembled journalists as “the happiest day of my life”, I disagree with the idea of throwing out the baby and his bath water.

If the mugs keep selling and people keep on smiling, let’s keep the Kingdom for a while longer.

My photo of the Queen c1983 in Edinburgh