Down With The Royals

by Joan Smith

When Prince George was just eight weeks old, the Evening Standard declared him to be 'the most influential person in London'. He couldn't even walk, let alone talk. Yet one day he could become head of state, whether we like it or not.

Joan Smith argues that it has become nearly impossible to question the existence of the monarchy. Articulate republicans are drowned out while the supercharged PR and media machines ask only who designed Kate's dresses.

Smith topples the arguments for having a monarchy, one by one. The royals don't provide a boost for tourism, and their deliberately opaque accounting conceals the truth about the huge burden they place on the public purse.

And she exposes darker truths. These symbols of so-called impartiality have hidden power and influence. Not only does Charles regularly lobby government ministers but - far from the sycophantic reporting of Kate's baby bump - the royals have dined with despots with blood on their hands. Are these people really fit to be the public face of a modern country?

Ultimately, Smith declares that the monarchy - undemocratic, unaccountable and shockingly expensive - has no place in modern Britain.

Provocations is a groundbreaking new series of short polemics composed by some of the most intriguing voices in contemporary culture and edited by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown. Sharp, intelligent and controversial, Provocations provides insightful contributions to the most vital discussions in society today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

128 pages, Hardcover

First published March 24, 2015

About the author

Joan Alison Smith is an English novelist, journalist and human rights activist, who is a former chair of the Writers in Prison committee in the English section of International PEN. In 2003 she was offered the MBE for her services to PEN, but refused the award. Joan Smith is an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this before Lizzie kicked it but seemed like a good time to read it. Abolish the monarchy, the queen is burning 🔥

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. A short but impactful read detailing the immorality of the monarchy in twenty-first century Britain. The manipulation of the British public has gone on for far too long, especially given the fact that there's so much compiled evidence of bias and distortion of events by the tabloid media. The institution utilises coercion and intimidation to control publication and so we see what we are meant to see.

This book also touches upon the unconstitutional act of lobbying for personal interests, which highlights how they use their influence behind the scenes.

Moreover, for a family that is intended to remain apolitical and impartial, they sure do like to make political statements. While I do understand that everyone has a right to an opinion, I do not understand why they must influence political issues through offhanded commentary. Not only does it appear unprofessional but it also breaches constitutional boundaries established long ago.

Finally, I really enjoyed reading about the decrease in tourism associated with Royal events. This point is used and abused by monarchists as a way of justifying the archaic system we are subjected to. France, a Republic since the 1870s, topped the tourist arrival list followed by The United States, another Republic country. We weren't even top five.

I recommend reading this if you are on the fence regarding republicanism and monarchism.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent primer for anyone who wants a short but definitive guide of the main arguments against the main reasonings in support of the existing British monarchy. I would like to learn more detail behind some of the stories noted in this book, but I understand omitting the greater details of — for example — the government’s attempt to withhold documents on the royals’ use of veto powers.

As a Canadian who has been to Buckingham Palace (and had a brief yet unremarkable experience of shaking Camilla’s hand and asking her a question, which she ignored to make small talk with the woman standing next to me) it’s simultaneously fascinating and absurd the chokehold that the royals have on many in Britain and around the world.

I highly recommend this to anyone who would like to further validate their disdain of people in unelected positions of power.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I strongly believe that the Japanese Imperial family system should be abolished, because they're waste of our tax money.
And I feel sorry for them for not being treated as a human being (Japanese constitution states that they do NOT have basic human rights. Because they're "symbols of Japan"... nightmare of the WW2 made people to put this in the constitution, I guess.).

So.
I thought reading this book would give me an interesting perspective.
Well, it WAS an interesting read, but it gave me nothing new to learn.
And even though the situation between UK's Royal family and Japan's Imperial family is similar, I think the slight difference (e.g. saying things like "I hate Imperial family" might get me killed... those far-right people are terrifying) makes a huge difference.

It was a short and easy read.
I might want to check out her other books.

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with the author of this books view of the monarchy and it's outdated irrelevance and danger. However, writing a book regarding this and complaining about how when she was invited to a Buckingham Palace garden party she was treated differently to the queen, and regularly stating that you write for the same right wing papers that uphold what you claim to detest seems an odd way of going about things. Also, minus one star for her being a TERF.