No place for the monarchy in modern Scotland
Maintaining the royal family is becoming increasingly unjustifiable, says the Scottish Greens Co-Leader, Patrick Harvie MSP.
Mr Harvie’s calls for the monarchy to be abolished come ahead of a Republic Day protest in Edinburgh, where he will be speaking alongside his Green colleague Maggie Chapman and campaigners from across the political spectrum.
The event, hosted by Our Republic, is held against the backdrop of increasing inequality in the country as many struggle with household bills, UK Government’s decision to cut social security for disabled people, and the axing of pensioner’s winter fuel payments.
While the UK Government has struggled to stem the tide of the cost-of-living, the royal family has seen their wealth go from strength to strength in recent times.
Several nations across the commonwealth are already reassessing their relationship with the crown and the Greens Co-Leader is making the case for Scotland to follow suit.
Mr Harvie said:
“There is no place in modern Scotland for the monarchy.
“Our society is experiencing widespread inequality, with the cost of living crisis continuing to push many to the brink. However, it seems the royal family has never had it so good.
“The taxpayer-funded sovereign grant rises year on year. They don’t pay capital gains tax, they don't pay corporation tax and they’re exempt from stamp duty. They have received millions of pounds of income in rent from the NHS, schools and the armed forces for operating on the vast swathes of land that they own.
“It is completely at odds with the struggles faced by some of our most vulnerable communities. We should not have a system that only benefits the super-rich, while leaving the rest of us to pick up the bill.
“The monarchy is a profoundly outdated and undemocratic institution. We must have a serious conversation about the country we see ourselves as.
“The idea that we should show this preference for one unaccountable family, who take far more from society than they give, is the exact opposite image of Scotland I would like to see. I believe we can do so much better for the people living in our country.
“Scotland has the potential to be a modern independent democratic republic. It can be a greener and fairer country that redistributes the wealth hoarded by monarchy and the rest of the super-rich, and uses it to the benefit of the many people who are struggling.
“Ultimately, it should be the people of Scotland who are sovereign and I will continue to make the case that with the powers of independence we can tackle the profound inequality that is highlighted by the lifestyle that the royals enjoy.”