Scottish Greens Challenge Monarchy's Relevance as Prince Andrew Faces Public Outrage

The Scottish Greens have voiced strong criticism of the monarchy, labeling it an "outdated system" that is becoming increasingly "shamed and discredited." This statement follows the release of a recent YouGov poll commissioned by The Times, which revealed that Prince Andrew is now viewed unfavorably by a staggering 85% of respondents, marking him as the most unpopular member of the royal family. Only 7% of those surveyed expressed a favorable opinion of the Duke of York, a figure that underscores a significant decline in public support. Lorna Slater, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, highlighted the impact of numerous scandals and controversies that have plagued the royal family in recent years, arguing that these issues have prompted many to reassess their support for the monarchy as an institution. However, she emphasized that the problems associated with the monarchy extend beyond the actions of any single individual. "The monarchy is an outdated, broken and fundamentally antidemocratic system that is becoming increasingly shamed and discredited," Slater asserted. "How can we be a modern democracy while we still have unaccountable hereditary rulers that we can't remove and a system that treats power and privilege like a family heirloom to be passed down?" Her remarks resonate with a growing sentiment among the public that questions the relevance and legitimacy of the monarchy in contemporary society. Recent polling data from Survation, commissioned by the anti-monarchy campaign group Our Republic, reinforces Slater’s concerns. It found that only 34% of Scots support the continuation of a hereditary monarchy, while 45% expressed a preference for an elected head of state. When excluding undecided voters, the results revealed a stark contrast, with support for an elected head of state at 57% compared to 43% for the monarchy. Slater's comments also reflect a broader dialogue taking place across the Commonwealth, where various nations are actively reconsidering their ties to monarchy. "Throughout the Commonwealth there are people and countries discussing and debating their relationship with monarchy," she noted, urging Scotland to engage in similar discussions. "It is time for us to do the same and to build a fairer, greener and better future as an independent Scottish republic." As the monarchy continues to face criticism and declining support, the Scottish Greens are calling for a serious examination of the institution's role in a modern democracy. The question of whether Scotland should maintain a hereditary monarchy or move towards an elected head of state is likely to remain a contentious issue as public opinion evolves.