Our proposed model

Republic proposes that Britain adopts a written republican constitution in which an elected head of state replaces the monarch. Our policy was agreed by our members at an Annual General Meeting in 2006 and again in 2008.

In those debates it was agreed that Republic advocate a parliamentary system whereby a ceremonial Head of State would be directly elected by the people. This non-executive Head of State would have only limited reserve powers (such as the power to call elections on the advice of the Prime Minister).

The Republic model

1. The office of Head of State, to be known as President, will be open to any eligible British citizen.
2. The Head of State will be directly elected by the British people. Besides a ceremonial role, the Head of State would have reserve constitutional powers (such as the power to appoint a Prime Minister, to call elections and to sign Acts of Parliament into law). There will be provision for an impeachment procedure. The position of Prime Minister, as Head of Government, will remain.
3. The Head of State will be equal before the law (as any other citizen), and will take an oath to serve the people, uphold the law and protect the constitution.
4. The term of office will be fixed, perhaps at five years, with a possible maximum of two terms to be served by an individual.
5. The Head of State will be the nominal commander-in-chief of the armed forces which will remain under the control of the government. Any deployment of the armed forces by the government of the day would have to be approved by the Parliament.
6. The Head of State shall assume no military rank or title or appear in public as other than a civilian when discharging his or her official duties whether or not he or she has an entitlement to display a military rank.
7. The Head of State will be required not to involve his or her extended family in the performance of their duties.
8. The Head of State will not be a member of, and will be constitutionally independent from, the legislature.
9. The office of the Head of State will have no constitutional link with any religious faith.
10. Officials or persons who are at present required to take oaths of allegiance to the Crown, will publicly swear an oath or make an affirmation to serve the people, uphold the law and protect the Constitution.

Republic believes that the ultimate choice must be with the people, those who will be sovereign in our future republic, and not with a convention or with parliament. And it is for this reason that Republic welcomes the support and membership of all those who aspire for Britain to have a democratic alternative to the monarchy.

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