Imagine,
during the 1940's the then Royal Family were very different and during the War
years and immediately after had clearly failed in their duties and the need to
be at one with the people and the troubles of the times.
Also,
let us imagine, a Labour Government more left wing that that elected in 1945
and very determined for far more extensive and radical change, a revolution
rather than reform.
What
might have happened in the later years of the Attlee government? Could it have disestablished the Monarchy in
favour of a Presidential system, only with the President nominated and elected
by Parliament alone and for say a seven year term?
So
in 1950, someone would be elected as a President Head of State with limited
powers, a much reduced version of the Royal Prerogative, to take office on 1st
January 1951 for one term only and the successors at seven year intervals.
Here
below is a guess list of who we might well have had as Presidents. You may be able to think of many others, but
this will do for starters. One side
effect may have been that the UK could have developed a Monarchist Party.
1951
Kingsley Martin
1958
Lord Boothby
1965
T. Dan Smith
1972
Reginald Maudling
1979
Michael Foot
1986
Jimmy Savile
1993
Edwina Currie
2000
Peter Mandelson
2007
John Prescott
2014
Out sourced to the highest bidder?
Honest,
I'm not joking.
Dont forget that post war there was a lot of guns and a lot of people who knew how to use them.
ReplyDeleteA lot of need and / or demand and not much money.
People were too busy procreating for any fancy politics.