Should Britain be a monarchy?

Should it have a king or queen at the top of its political and social order?

It's a hugely controversial question which triggers powerful emotions, especially for

those who view the royal family as synonymous with all that is best about Britain.

But a growing minority has not only reservations about the winters, but think they shouldn't

play a role in Britain's future.

Recent polling found that 25% of people would now like to see the monarchy abolished a rise

of 10% in just five years.

Of course, that's far from a majority, but it's millions of people who are barely acknowledged

let alone reflected in the national conversation.

So should we get rid of the royals?

And what are the arguments for becoming a republic?

With me to discuss that today is Graham Smith CEO of Republic, a British Republican pressure

group advocating the replacement of the monarchy with a parliamentary republic.

Graham Smith, welcome to Downstream.

Thank you.

Have you always been a Republican?

Yeah, I've always instinctively been a Republican.

I remember in 1986 when I was 12 years old when they had the Andrew, so I focused on

wedding school wanted to bring the TV into the classroom so we could watch it and I wanted

to go outside into the playground.

So it's something that I've always instinctively felt.

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