How could a British Republic come about?
What circumstances could cause this? Let's rule out nuclear war and say from 1950 onwards. The monarchy is long in-place. The institutions of state are strong. There is no history of recent anti-state activity short of the issue of Ulster. These all stand in the way of a fall of the monarchy.
But what could - realistically - bring this about?
What about this:
Commonwealth of Britain Bill
Ore if you want more information, i found this on the net:
Preamble
It is time for “we the people” to finally rule Britain in a more democratic form. This bill will abolish the position of monarch as Head of State and transform the House of Lords into an entirely democratic institution. The bill recognises Britain’s excellent parliamentary system as an effective way of ruling and therefore seeks not to create a political institution similar to republics such as France or the USA, where there is an executive President, but instead carries on in the parliamentary tradition with a Prime Minister and ruling cabinet.
The bill also addresses issues such as the Commonwealth of Nations, the crown estates, and the drawing up of a codified British constitution.
BE IT ENACTED by The Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Commons in the present Parliament assembled, in accordance with the provisions of the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-
1. Creation of the State
(1) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (Windsor) shall lose the office of state. Other details of her position can be found in section 4.
(2) The current ‘United Kingdom’ shall become known as The Commonwealth of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or ‘Commonwealth of Britain’ for the short title.
(3) The Nations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will remain in the Commonwealth in the nature of their historical links to the Parliament in Westminster.
(4) The current Parliament of the United Kingdom is to become the Commonwealth Parliament, in Westminster.
(5) A ‘Supreme Prerogative’ is to be invested into the chosen cabinet within a week of the formation of Parliament after each successive General Election. This is to be the executive authority of the Commonwealth of Britain, and which must pass any executive order by a majority vote within the cabinet.
(6) The cabinet must always consist of twenty two members, selected by the Prime Minister.
(7) The Privy Council, and the style of a Privy Counsellor, are hereby abolished.
2. House of Lords Reform
(1) The second house of the Commonwealth Parliament shall remain the House of Lords.
(2) The House of Lords is to serve as a democratically elected scrutiny chamber, with its relation to the House of Commons to be codified in the British Constitution (section 3). The primary function of the House of Lords will be to protect the Constitution and to lend expertise to the development of British law.
(3) Lords Elections are to be held every seven years, with 200 ‘super-constituencies’ (formed from 3 or 4 local constituencies, depending on population size) each electing a Lord to the house through the Alternative Vote system.
(4) To qualify to be elected as a Lord a candidate must fulfil the following conditions:
(i) Must be at least thirty years of age.
(ii) Must be a citizen of the Commonwealth of Britain.
(iii) Must have evidence of achievement and/or other merits as to be decided. Such evidence must be signed and approved by at least twelve local notables.
(5) Lords may be affiliated to a registered political party, but may not be whipped.
(6) All current Lords are to lose their title and associated benefits. They will be eligible for re-election, and may use past experience as sitting lords to qualify for election. A pension provision is to be negotiated by Parliament upon the enforcement of the act.
3. Codified Constitution
(1) A British constitution is to be drawn up between the passing of this bill and the date that the act comes into force. A select Parliamentary Committee is to be in charge of this task, in which they should consult both the British public and relevant intellectual figures.
(2) The constitution may be amended subject to a vote in the House of Commons and ratification by the democratic House of Lords.
4. In regards to the Royal Family
(1) All restrictions presently imposed by statute or otherwise specifically upon members of the Royal Family in respect of their religious faith or in any other way are hereby declared to have no effect.
(2) Members of the Royal family shall enjoy the same rights as those which are enjoyed by any citizen of the Commonwealth, including the right to stand for Parliament.
(3) Members of the Royal Family are now liable to taxation.
(4) The Royal Marriages Act 1772 is hereby repealed.
(5) Members of the Royal Family may keep possession of their titles, for instance ‘Prince of Wales’. However this will be symbolic only, such titles will not permit any special status within the Commonwealth and members of the Royal Family are to become in effect ‘ordinary citizens’.
(6) Queen Elizabeth II shall remain titular Head of the Commonwealth of Nations until her death or resignation of the position, after which case the position should come under review by all member states. This bill does not affect the constitutional status of the other fifteen ‘Commonwealth realms’.
5. The Crown Estates
(1) All crown property held by the monarch or royal family due to their current occupational status is to be transferred to ownership of the Government.
(2) A select committee of MP’s, Lords, and financial experts will decide on appropriate compensation to be paid to the Windsor family out of the public funds.
(3) Such compensation is to include accommodation in former Crown estate property and the provision of a pension to Elizabeth Windsor and other members of the family currently serving in official roles.
6. Other Authorities
(1) All other titles and positions as related to the monarch in the current United Kingdom will be placed under a review by the Commonwealth Parliament or by the relevant devolved assembly of representatives.
7. Wording in Parliamentary procedure, and other related issues
(1) The Bill Enactment clause shall be changed to the following:
“BE IT ENACTED by the present Parliament assembled, in accordance with the provisions of the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-“
(2) The Parliamentary Oath shall change to the following:
“I …………… do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be
faithful and bear true allegiance to The Commonwealth of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and all her citizens, according to law.”
(3)
(i) The Citizenship Oath of Allegiance shall be as follows:
"I... , on becoming a British citizen, will be faithful and bear true allegiance to The Commonwealth of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and all her citizens, according to law.”
(ii) The Citizenship Pledge shall be as follows:
"I will give my loyalty to The Commonwealth of Britain and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen.”
(4) Other official wording will be changed similarly, as reviewed on a case by case basis by the relevant committee. In the future no official legislation or charters may show an allegiance to any unelected royal body or person.
8. Commencement, short title and extent
(1) All sections of this act will come into force on the 1st September 2011.
(2) This act may be cited as the Commonwealth of Britain Act 2010.
(3) This Act extends to all parts of The United Kingdom.
