Graham Smith (activist)
Graham Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 1974 (age 50) |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Open University |
| Occupation | CEO of Republic |
| Known for | Activism |
| Board member of | The Reform Foundation |
Graham Richard Peter Smith (born April 1974) is a British political activist, author and columnist. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the republican pressure group Republic[1] and a trustee of The Reform Foundation.[2]
Smith has been involved in anti-monarchy activism for over a decade, and under his leadership, Republic has grown to include tens of thousands of supporters.[3]
Activism and views
[edit] | This article may be too long to read and navigate comfortably. (November 2024) |
Smith, a former IT support worker[4] took over the position of CEO of Republic in 2005. During his tenure, he has led the campaign against the Sovreign Grant, royal secrecy and restriction of access to the Royal Archives.[5]
According to Smith, the monarchy’s role in the British political system contributes to a centralised, hierarchical structure where power is concentrated in the hands of a few unelected individuals, limiting the democratic accountability of the government. He also criticizes the royal family for what he perceives as a lack of transparency and accountability, particularly in regard to the use of public funds and political influence.[3] He believes there is no such thing as a "modern monarchy" as the very concept is incompatible with the modern world and therefore it fundamentally cannot be reformed.[6]
Smith’s opposition to the monarchy centers on several key arguments. Smith argues that the monarchy, by design, is undemocratic because the head of state is not elected by the people. This, he asserts, contrasts with democratic principles, where leaders are accountable to the electorate.[3] Smith also emphasises the significant access that royal family members, particularly King Charles, have to government ministers and the impact this may have on policy.[3]
Smith and Republic have drawn attention to the public funding of the royal family and the financial privileges they enjoy. They argue that the monarchy is not subject to the same financial restrictions as other public institutions and that the costs associated with maintaining the royal family should be more transparent and subject to public debate.[3] For example, Smith points out that Prince Charles has a unique constitutional role known as the King's Consent, which allows him to approve or block legislation that affects his private interests. Critics of the monarchy, including Republic, argue that such privileges undermine democratic processes.[3]
Despite Smith’s criticisms of the monarchy, Republic faces a number of challenges in garnering widespread support for its cause. While the monarchy is widely regarded with respect in the U.K., particularly Queen Elizabeth II, public opinion on the institution is more complex. Smith acknowledges that many people in the U.K. hold favorable views of the royal family, but he argues that this is often based on a lack of critical engagement with the institution and its role in the political system.[3]
Smith also notes that major royal events, such as royal weddings or jubilees, tend to attract significant public and media attention. While these events can help to reinforce the monarchy's popularity, they can also provide Republic with an opportunity to raise awareness about what the group sees as the flaws of the institution. For instance, in the lead-up to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Republic conducted a poll that found a significant portion of the population was indifferent to the event, which Smith interprets as a sign of growing public disengagement from the monarchy.[3]
One of the key arguments often made in defense of the monarchy is its potential contribution to the economy, particularly through tourism. Proponents of the monarchy argue that royal events attract international attention and tourism, which in turn generates revenue for the U.K. Smith and Republic challenge this argument, asserting that there is no clear evidence linking the monarchy to a significant boost in tourism. Republic has conducted Freedom of Information requests to examine the data on tourism and found that official tourism bodies have not provided definitive evidence to support the claim that the monarchy plays a crucial role in attracting visitors.[3]
Smith contends that the royal family’s charitable work, while notable, is not a sufficient justification for maintaining the monarchy. He argues that many of the royal family’s charitable activities could be carried out by public figures who are not part of a hereditary institution, and that the monarchy’s role as patron of various organisations does not outweigh the democratic deficiencies associated with the system.[3]
Smith’s vision for the UK involves replacing the monarchy with a system in which the head of state is elected by the people. He advocates for a republic in which the government remains parliamentary, with a prime minister drawn from the elected lower house of Parliament. The role of the head of state in this system would be largely ceremonial, but with some constitutional powers that could be used in times of crisis, similar to the roles played by elected presidents in other parliamentary republics such as Germany and Ireland.[3] In Smith’s view, this model would ensure that the head of state is accountable to the public and that the country’s political system is fully democratic, with all key offices of state elected by the people.[3]
As a vocal critic of the monarchy, Smith often encounters a range of public reactions and he notes that most people in the U.K. do not actively engage in the debate over the monarchy, but are willing to listen to arguments for republicanism once they become aware of the issues surrounding the monarchy’s role in government.[3]
He has written in The Guardian on numerous occasions criticising the relationship between the British monarchy and their counterparts in the Middle East, the cost of the monarchy, secrecy from the Freedom of Information Act and alleged political activity by the monarchy.[7]
Smith has made frequent media appearances on the BBC, where he consistently makes the case for an elected and accountable head of state. The Daily Mail were critical of the BBC for inviting Smith onto BBC News prior to the birth of Princess Charlotte.[8]
In 2023, at the anti-monarchist protest during Coronation of King Charles III, he was unduly arrested by the Metropolitan Police (alongside 5 other people) on the day of the event, and were held for over 15 hours before being released.[9][10] The Metropolitan Police later expressed "regret" over these arrests, and confirmed that no further action would be taken.[11] This was in spite of Republic having been in discussion with the police about the protests for months beforehand,[12] prompting a wide debate over free speech and the erosion of the right to peaceful protest. He has subsequently sued the police force for wrongful arrest.[13]
Since then, Smith has become a more prominent figure and membership of the Republic group vastly rose to 8,500 members as of 2023.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Meet the team". Republic. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
- ^ "Trustees". The Reform Foundation. Retrieved 2015-09-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Katherine Hignett (1 July 2019), Meet the Man Who Wants to Bring Down the British Monarchy, Newsweek
- ^ a b Henry Mance (5 June 2023), Anti-monarchist Graham Smith: The British royals are 'tax-funded Kardashians', The Financial Times
- ^ "Current campaigns". Republic. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
- ^ Astha Rajvanshi (4 May 2023), King Charles' Coronation Is a 'Pointless Vanity Parade,' Says Britain's Leading Anti-Monarchist
- ^ Graham Smith (17 March 2011). "Bahrain's king as a royal wedding guest? What an dreadful message | Graham Smith | Comment is free". The Guardian. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
- ^ Kelly, Tom (4 May 2015). "Backlash as republicans try to spoil royal party: TV viewers express anger after BBC interview anti-monarchy campaigner minutes before Kate left hospital | Daily Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
- ^ "Anti-Monarchy Protesters Arrested at King Charles' Coronation". TIME. 2023-05-06. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
- ^ "Met chief Mark Rowley defends officers over Coronation arrests". BBC News. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ "Coronation: Met expresses 'regret' over arresting six anti-monarchy protesters". BBC News. 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ "Coronation: Met Police had every intention of arresting protesters - Republic leader". BBC News. 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ Harrison Jones (12 September 2023), Coronation arrests: Republic leader Graham Smith takes legal action, BBC News
Bibliography
[edit]- Graham Smith (1 November 2023). Abolish the Monarchy: Why we should and how we will. Torva. p. 224. ISBN 978-1911709305.