15 July 2003

Fabian Society calls for overhaul of monarchy

A wide-ranging report on reforming the monarchy has called for moves to allow a monarch to 'retire' and to cut the number of royals on the civil list.

The proposals were today made by the Fabian Commission on the 'Future of the Monarchy', set up by the Labour-affiliated think tank, the Fabian Society.

The report says that the monarchy needs to continue to evolve, as it has done throughout its history, if it is to retain public support and to meet the needs of a changing society and constitution.

To clarify the constitutional role of monarch and to ‘depoliticise’ the monarchy’s powers and duties, the report recommends: ending the scope for political discretion in the exercise of the sovereign’s constitutional powers, such as the power to dissolve and summon Parliament, to give Royal Assent to legislation and to choose the Prime Minister; and having the State Opening of Parliament take place only at the start of a new Parliament, not annually, with the Queen delivering a speech of her own, and the Prime Minister setting out the government’s legislative programme on a separate occasion.

To make the monarchy more representative of a diverse Britain of four nations, many cultures, many faiths and no faith, the report also recommends: ending the historic ban on non-Anglicans, or anyone who marries a Catholic, succeeding to the throne, and the preference in the succession given to younger brothers over elder sisters; and ending the position of the head of state as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. The report also calls for the ownership of the Crown Estate and the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall to be transferred, and requiring the monarch and royal family to pay tax on their private income and wealth, including inheritance tax on private properties such as Balmoral and Sandringham.

In what would be the first comprehensive reform of the British monarchy for 300 years, the Fabian Commission proposes two Acts of Parliament to implement its central proposals.

David Bean, Chair of the Commission, said: “In every other European constitutional monarchy the role is clearly defined in law, it is de-politicised, and the public and private elements of royalty are kept clearly separate. The same principles should now be adopted in Britain. The Queen herself called last year for continued evolution. We believe our proposals would command wide public support.”

The report is the result of a year-long enquiry by an independent 10-member Commission, chaired by David Bean QC.

(GMcG)