The Olympics may give nations a huge boost in the parochial nationalism stakes (particularly those winning gold medals). however, that doesn’t necessarily appear to be the case in the UK at the moment, with the arrival of a new billboard campaign calling for the end of the monarchy.
The out-of-home campaign is the work of a republican group called, funnily enough, Republic, who want the UK to have an elected head of state and are being funded by a crowdfunding campaign.
Each billboard carries the same message: “Secretive, divisive, undemocratic. Abolish the monarchy.” The billboards are set to appear in 12 of the UK’s biggest cities including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham and Cardiff.
The campaign comes after results of a YouGov survey in May that found the royals are particularly on the nose with younger Britons.
It found that 41 per cent of 18-24-year-olds wanted an elected head of state. However, when the entire population was questioned, support for the monarchy rose to 61 per cent, while only 24 per cent wanted ‘The Firm’ ditched.
Unsurprisingly, support for Queen and co is highest among older generations, with 70 per cent of people aged between 50 and 64 saying they support the royal family.
Commenting on the billboard campaign, Republic CEO Graham Smith said: “With polls showing young people wanting an elected head of state, the succession of King Charles will be a major turning point in the monarchy’s history and in the growth of Britain’s republican movement.
“The Queen’s long reign has sustained support for the royals for decades. The Queen is the monarchy, the monarchy is the Queen. King Charles may inherit the throne, but he won’t inherit the respect and deference enjoyed by his mother,” Smith added.
