Why I Changed My View on the Monarchy
I am writing this post the day after the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for "misconduct in public office". What does this mean for the future of monarchy in Britain? The monarchy is one of those issues where supporters of positive patriotism may disagree. For some, loyalty to the monarch is an important element of patriotism. For others, it is an anachronism, which should be replaced by a republic. You may love your country and hold either view. My own view has changed over the years. In the past, I would have supported a republic, but I have come to see some advantages to constitutional monarchy, which are becoming more important in today's world. That belief is conditional on the behaviour of monarchs, particularly their respect for the rule of law. I might be writing a very different article if King Andrew was reigning over us. In How to Be a Patriot , Sunder Katwala makes the case for positive patriotism in England (I may return to tha...