ANTI-MONARCHY group Republic is launching a “Not Another 70” campaign to coincide with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
It will call for the end of the monarchy and culminate in a conference on the same June weekend as the national celebrations of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.
Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, called the monarchy a “shabby institution” which is “set against our nation’s deeply held democratic principles”.
“While a vocal minority will want to celebrate the Queen’s 70-year reign, we must all start looking to the future,” Smith said.
READ MORE: Barbados ditching monarchy will 'trigger calls' for other countries to remove Queen
“The prospect of king Charles is not a happy one and there is a good, democratic alternative on offer.
“It’s time to have a serious debate about our constitution, accept that Charles is not the best the country has to offer, and that as a nation we are quite capable of choosing our head of state.
“It’s time to reject the nonsense arguments about tourism, stability and widespread affection for the royals, and take a more sensible look at what the monarchy really is and what it really costs the country.”
#AbolishTheMonarchy pic.twitter.com/UV8U8nS2M6
— Republic (@RepublicStaff) January 10, 2022
Smith said that over the past year the royals have been accused of racism and climate change hypocrisy, and linked to cash-for-honours claims.
The Duke of York is also facing a civil lawsuit over allegations of sexual assault, which he denies.
Smith added: “This is a shabby institution that does not deserve to continue. It is set against our nation’s deeply held democratic principles, it is corrupt and secretive and it is bad for British democracy.
READ MORE: Gerry Hassan: The Queen’s jubilee is the time to have debate on democracy
“Now is the time to look to a democratic future, a future without the monarchy.”
The Queen, the nation’s longest reigning monarch, will reach her milestone Platinum Jubilee on February 6, less than a month away.
A four-day weekend of official festivities including an extra bank holiday is set for June 2-5, with a live BBC concert at the Palace, Jubilee beacons and lunches, a pageant on the streets of London, and a royal bake-off competition to design a Platinum Pudding in honour of the Queen.
Details of Republic’s “Not Another 70” campaign will be released in the coming weeks.
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