The Politics Society entertained Graham Smith (left) the Campaign Director of “Republic: The campaign for a democratically elected head of state”. Graham spoke about how the monarchy is an outdated institution, presenting at times a convincing argument against our irrational, emotional attachment to the monarchy. The argument hinges on three main tenants; that the monarchy is undemocratic, unaccountable and is a symbol of a bygone age, an age of deference and privilege, thus embodying the old class system of the past. He then endeavoured to debunk the many pro-monarchy arguments, such as the monarchy is the sole reason for the high numbers of international tourists to Britain, citing the fact that of the twenty most visited tourist attractions in Britain only one is a Royal residence. Whilst a vote showed that support for a republic had increased the majority remained ambivalent, with many not yet ready to relinquish their emotional attachment to the monarchy, or at least to the present monarch.
Political interests more recently turned from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster when four eager Politics students jumped at the chance to be taken around the Houses of Parliament by Jim Knight, Minister of State for Schools, Labour MP for South-Dorset and of course former pupil of Eltham College.