Presidential Elections in the United Republic of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The idea of abolishing the British monarchy crops up in the media every once in while. I've wondered about doing a timeline in which the monarchy was abolished some decades ago , so that the UR (we wouldn't be the UK any more!) has presidential elections every seven years or so. The President would be a figurehead, real power would remain with the Prime Minister, but nevertheless there could be some very interesting candidates, especially if things weren't done on party political lines.

A couple of questions:

1) the most plausible POD that I see is that Edward VIII refuses to abdicate , and reigns - in a rather unpopular way - through WW2. After the war the Labour government organises a referendum on the monarchy. Does this seem reasonable?

2) has this idea been done here before?
 
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a republic model replacing the united kingdom would probably end up being called the Commonwealth of Great Britain (or maybe the United Commonwealth of Great Britain). Northern Ireland might end up being reunified with the rest of Ireland since there isn't a real difference anymore (no monarchy v. republicanism), but then again the protestants in Northern Ireland might still want to remain in a republican Commonwealth.
 
Two very important points, 1) Commonwealth has always been the tradition British Republican name (well not that important but it just has) and 2) Super-Patriotic Ulster would go bat-shit crazy on hearing the Motherland had dumped the Monarchy. Also remember, Northern Ireland has devolved rule from 1922 into the late 60s or early 70s so that pose even more problems.

Edward VIII continuing to rule, regadless of the whole Wallis Simpson thing (say he settles with some other girl) is bound to be tense at times. For one his supposed Fascist leanings will be much more in the spot light, perhaps he fails in his duty as leader of the nation during WWII, leaving politicans like Chruchill to take all the glory (this would no doubt deflate royalist pride). Also he lived into the 1970's, meaning no great pomp and ceremony Elizabeth II coronation in 1952, which did a lot to boost British pride and hopes for a "Second Elizabethan Age".

He was also known for his interfering nature as Prince of Wales, and briefly as King, if any modern British monarch is likely to bar legislation (which most agree would be the death of the monarchy) it would probably be Eddie here.

I could see him becoming something of an embarrassment during the Swinging Sixties for Britain's image. No young Queen with hip sisters, just an ancient King, totally out of touch with the 'New Britain', perhaps the odd gawfaw regarding the colonies and racism. Imagine if Queen Elizabeth, soveriegn of a good chunk of the globe, instead of harmless, moronic Prince Philip, was the one calling the Chinese slanty-eyes etc. Add to all that his less than perfect image with the older generations over his connections (however tedious) to Fascism and virtual none-existance during WWII (perhaps he moved himself to Balmoral 'for safety', meaning no "were all Londoners" schtick).

In such an enviroment, an given the right moment, say he vetos legislation regarding a Labour government's taxation on higher earners in the late 1960s (the maximum wage stuff they tried to introduce was absolutely potty with hindsight, but such move at the time Edward would soon see himself painted as one of wealthy elite VS the democratically elected government).

The act outrages Parliament, quickly moving the issue beyond the legislation and leading to demonstrations outside Buckingham Palace. After a few days of tensions Eddie might apologise and offer the removal of all Monarchal Powers, handing them over to the House of Lords. However such a move would quickly be seized on by Republicans, calling for a Head of State with power the people can trust, or at least control, ie a President via elections.

And so under massive pressure, King Edward VIII gives Royal Ascent to the 1969 Commonwealth of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Act, removing the House of Windsor from power.

Using Edward VIII in a semi-normal TL, thats about as early I see a British Republic coming to power.
 
a republic model replacing the united kingdom would probably end up being called the Commonwealth of Great Britain (or maybe the United Commonwealth of Great Britain). Northern Ireland might end up being reunified with the rest of Ireland since there isn't a real difference anymore (no monarchy v. republicanism), but then again the protestants in Northern Ireland might still want to remain in a republican Commonwealth.

I'd imagine there would still be partition. As someone from Northern Ireland, the divide runs more along Catholic/Protestant lines than any sort of view on the monarchy. It's more a Northern Protestant fear of being oppressed in a Catholic-dominated United Ireland.
 
Aye, the sectarian groups (Ulster Volunteers, IRA) trace their routes, well the Republicans partially, to militias set up pre-1914 as the possibility of Home Rule dawned, the Ulster Protestants fearing domination in a Dublin Parliament.
 
This is how I see it. IIRC, most of the Dominions/Commonwealth realms were OK with Edward VIII still as monarch - only the UK said no. So what I think could happen is that even if the UK becomes a republic, the Dominions would still recognize Edward VIII as monarch. Thus, a loophole for Northern Ireland would be opened, where NI would try to argue as being a Dominion and thus retain the monarchy.
 
Possibly but the Mother Country rejecting the monarchy would lend creadence to republican movements in the Commonwealth. I could see Australia jumping ship pretty quick, which would spur on NZ and Canada. After that all you have are a few Carribbean islands who would probably go likewise, as the Commonwealth of Nations, a major economic plank for these countries, would certainly be retained, regardless of the Monarchy.

However the Windsors might retain a religious role in the Anglican Church
 
Well, this is Pre-1900 but I was thinking what if Will Pitt dies early and Britian can't resist the influence of the French Revolution? Then a republic of great Britian is quite possible.

Would it make much difference at all post World War II? The Prime Minister does function like a republic all but in name only. To be honest, I think the monarchy is a somewhat wasteful and completely symbolic part the British Parlimentary system.
 
Well a Republic post-WWII would make a vast difference to British politics and society as a whole. There wouldn't be much hope for vast change in terms of wars and such but Britain would certainly be a different place today.

A Republic could lead to Electoral Reform, a possible unravelling of the Union (basked on a United Kingdom after all), reprecussions on the Commonwealth, other monarchies in the Benelux and Scandanavia etc. Plus a Republic could conversly lead to a greater national pride, or at least a different idea of Britishness, particularly just after the massive public mood swing that would be needed to see it implemented.

You also have the chance for populist, possibly non-political Heads of State. Stephen Fry for President? (a wet dream of sorts:D)
 
The idea of abolishing the British monarchy crops up in the media every once in while. I've wondered about doing a timeline in which the monarchy was abolished some decades ago , so that the UR (we wouldn't be the UK any more!).....

Well, if the British don't mind completely destroying the English language they could replace all hard "c"s with "k"s and rename the country the "United Kommonwealth of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". There. Now you would still be the "UK".;)
 
This is something I have worked on before.
My POD was that Britian had a "German" style revolution in 1918, after the sucess of the German March 1918 offesive, forcing a Dunkirk style retreat from mainlane europe.
A bloodless coup forced the Royal Family from the throne in. A interim Government took office with a President, before US Presidential style elections. The first being in 1920. Elections take place every five years and to take place in either May or June, The new President is sworn into Office in August.
I will do a list a President's of Great Britain 1918-2008, shortly.
 
List of Presidents of Great Britian 1918-2008
1st Arthur Henderson 1918-1920
2nd Andrew Bonar Law 1920-1923 (died in Office)
3rd Stanley Baldwin 1923-1925
4th Ramsey Mcdonald 1925-1930
5th Stanley Baldwin 1930-1937 (Re-tired in 1937)
6th Neville Chamberlain 1937-1940
7th Winston Churchill 1940-1945
8th Clement Atlee 1945-1950
9th Winston Churchill 1950-1955
10th Anthony Eden 1955-1957 (Re-signed in 1957)
11th Harold McMillian 1957-1965
12th Harold Wilson 1965-1970
13th Ted Heath 1970-1975
14th James Callaghan 1975-1980
15th Margaret Thatcher 1980-1990
16th John Major 1990-1995
17th Tony Blair1995-2007 (Re-signed in 2007)
18th Gordon Brown 2007-
 
List of Presidents of Great Britian 1918-2008
1st Arthur Henderson 1918-1920
2nd Andrew Bonar Law 1920-1923 (died in Office)
3rd Stanley Baldwin 1923-1925
...
15th Margaret Thatcher 1980-1990
16th John Major 1990-1995
17th Tony Blair1995-2007 (Re-signed in 2007)
18th Gordon Brown 2007-

I would expect such a POD to change enough that the political history of Great Britain would be a bit different from what happened IOTL. Such a German victory in 1918 would likely lead to no WW2.

There would probably be a war between Germany and the USSR some time around 1940-1950, possibly sparked by the revelation that Germany was involved in getting the 1917 revolution started. Great Britain would remain neutral in this war as it is not allied with the USSR. It remains a regional conflict.

Churchill probably would not have recovered from the political blow he took after the Dardanelles campaign if his country lost the war. He likely never rises to power, let alone gets elected president for two non-consecutive terms.

Republican Britain would likely be more forward thinking without the crown holding them into ancient traditions. The modern conservative party is likely quite different. Conservatism in the second half of the 20th century probably means attempting to hold on to the remaining traditions or attempting to restore the monarchy. I doubt Margaret Thatcher would have been elected President in this Britain.
 
Britain losing WWI has no true comparison in OTL, the effect on the Colonial Empire, White Dominions, Ireland, Scottish nationalism, British socialism and fascism in realtion to the UK's percieved political 'moderation', plus the form of government.

Thats the basis for an in-depth thread in of itself
 
Trust me on this one. Half my family are orange, then rest green and thats why we in England!!

If the monarchy was dissolved in 1948 or 2008, the issue for those Northern Irish loyalists is the link to the union, not so much the crown.
 
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