Monarchs have no place in a democracy

I CERTAINLY welcome the head of state of our nearest and one of our dearest neighbours.

I hope she enjoys her time here and no one does anything to threaten her security and I hope it is of benefit to our two countries. I think it is a very important in our developing relationship with Northern Ireland and the unionist population. I hope it sends the right message of reconciliation to many.

However, I am absolutely sick to my stomach listening to those who are dressing it up as something, which I certainly don’t want it to be and which it is not. It is not a “royal visit” comparable to one that took place 100 years ago. The queen is not coming here to bless us with her presence. It is not an opportunity for some to fawn and brown nose people to elevate themselves in the eyes of others and re-enforce a privilege system. My mother and her family are from Lancashire, so I am half-English and I acknowledge the heritage and I am proud of the many achievements within that heritage. However, hereditary titles, monarchs as heads of state and the privilege system they maintain in Britain is anathema to me as someone who believes in a republic and democracy. Be under no elusion, there are many in Britain who feel the same way. No one in Britain chooses their head of state and they will probably never be given that opportunity.