Republic campaigners call for an end to Britain’s constitutional monarchy

As royal wedding fever takes over, writer Alastair Stewart asks whether the best thing to do would be to keep the constitutional monarchy but make it open to election rather than by bloodline – a very British fudge.

I RECENTLY had a conversation with a friend about the Royal Family. Fatigued by the constant coverage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's impending wedding, I grumbled: "Why don't we just elect the position of monarch and keep the constitutional monarchy?"

Catalan President Carles Puigdemont cancels planned address as protest grow

CARLES PUIGDEMONT has cancelled a planned public address, in which he was widely expected to dissolve the Catalan parliament and call for fresh elections in December.

According to the Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia, the decision to dissolve parliament was made following a seven-hour meeting of the Catalan Government, following the Spanish Government’s activation of Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, under which it would impose direct rule on the embattled region.

Dr Mark McNaught, Assistant Professor of Law, Philosophy, and US Civilization at the University of Rennes, argues that the prospect of new nation-states emerging out of post-Brexit UK means that we should re-start the debate about constitutions. He outlines a number of “basic principles” for going forward. Let us know what you agree and disagree with in the comments section below.

EU comes out strong for Irish interest in speech by Brexit negotiator as UK Government ponder border problem

MICHEL BARNIER, the European Commission’s chief Brexit negotiator, will today (Thursday 11 May) back the Irish in their concerns over a hard Brexit pursued by the Tory UK Government.

In an honour usually reserved for figures such as Nelson Mandela, Barnier will address the Dáil and Seanad (Irish Parliament) to offer assurances that the EU would back Ireland’s status in negotiations with the UK “100 per cent”.

None of Scotland's 59 MPs support official launch in Palace of Westminster

A UK GOVERNMENT campaign to pick up litter in honour of the Queen is rubbish, judging by the lack of support from Scotland's MPs.

The draft Lobbying (Scotland) Bill exempts the Queen and her staff from political transparency

THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT should remove royal exemptions from its bill on political lobbying, according to campaigners for an elected head of state.

The draft Lobbying Bill, published last week, included a clause that would create a veil of secrecy over any lobbying by the Queen or political influence exerted by staff on her behalf.

We take a look at the royals

QUEEN ELIZABETH II has become Britain's longest reigning monarch.

Having served for more than 63 years, she has exceeded the duration of Queen Victoria, her great-great-grandmother.

The media is positively rammed with coverage, but it's mostly a kinder portrait of the monarch and her family.

CommonSpace remembers five things the royal correspondents would rather not.

They're sort of on benefits

Reuters suggests the royals are rolling in cash - but Republic says the money is ours

TODAY ROYALISTS are celebrating the longest reign of any British monarch in history, but for republicans the pomp and wealth of the royal circus can feel jarring in an age of austerity.

News group Reuters, after compiling research on the royal household, claimed this week that the Queen is richer than ever - and among the 20 richest individuals in the world.

Charles Windsor, heir to the throne, compiled a vast lobbying list in just 6 months

THE RELEASE of lobbying letters by Charles Windsor, Prince of Wales, to government ministers makes the case for a Scottish or British Republic stronger, according to Republic Scotland campaigner Gary McLelland.

Last week, after a ten year legal tussle with the Guardian newspaper, the UK Government finally released a series of letters from Charles and replies by senior ministers including the prime minister at the time, Tony Blair.