The Future Of The Monarchy

Public Sector

If the Queen retires, less than half (47%) of British adults would want to keep the monarchy as it is, according to a survey conducted by MORI. The survey — for The Marylebone Charitable Trust (the campaign for an elected head of state for Britain) — shows a third (35%) favour a scaled down monarchy, and 17% an elected head of state. One per cent say no to all these options.

 

If the Queen retires, less than half (47%) of British adults would want to keep the monarchy as it is, according to a survey conducted by MORI. The survey -- for The Marylebone Charitable Trust (the campaign for an elected head of state for Britain) -- shows a third (35%) favour a scaled down monarchy, and 17% an elected head of state. One per cent say no to all these options.

If given a choice between Charles becoming King or an elected head of state, just over half of British adults (55%) say they would prefer Charles crowned king while nearly a third (31%) would want an elected head of state.

Technical details

Questions were placed on two waves of the MORI Telephone Omnibus (23-25 April and 21-23 May 2004), the regular MORI telephone survey among British adults. On each wave a nationally representative sample of c. 1,000 adults (aged 16 and over) was interviewed throughout Great Britain. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population.

Topline Results

Fieldwork dates: 23-25 April 2004

Q1 Do you favour Britain electing its Head of State or do you favour Britain retaining the monarchy? Base: All (1002 respondents)

  %
Elect Head of State 20
Retain the monarchy 71
Would not vote 2
Neither of these 4
Don't know 4

Q2 At what age, if at all, should the Queen retire? Should she retire when she reaches 80, when she reaches 85, when she reaches 90, or should she remain Queen as long as she is able? Base: All (1002 respondents)

  %
80 years old 25
85 years old 1
90 years old *
She should remain Queen as long as she is able 69
Don't know 4
Refused 1

Q3 If the Queen retires which one of the following options would you prefer? Base: All (1002 respondents)

  %
Keeping the Monarchy as it is 47
A scaled down monarchy with a smaller role and fewer members 35
An elected Head of State in place of the Monarchy 17
None of these 2

Q4 If Britain elects its next Head of State, would you prefer an executive Head of State (like the French or American Presidents) or would you prefer a ceremonial Head of State with few powers (like the Irish President) Base: All (1002 respondents)

  %
Executive Head of State 30
Ceremonial Head of State 45
Don't want either 14
Don't know 11
Refused *

Q5 If Britain was to elect its Head of State, should the Head of State be elected by Parliament or by the general public? Base: All (1002 respondents)

  %
Elected by Parliament 7
Elected by the public 88
Neither 3
Don't know 2

Fieldwork dates: 21-23 May 2004

Q1 When the Queen leaves the throne would you like Charles to become King or would you prefer to elect your next head of state? Base: All (1,000 respondents)

  %
Charles to become King 55
Elect head of state 31
Don't know 12
Refused 2

Q2 At what age, if at all, should the Queen retire? Should she retire when she reaches 80, when she reaches 85, when she reaches 90, or should she never retire? Base: All (1,000 respondents)

  %
80 years old 31
85 years old 4
90 years old 2
Never retire 50
Don't know 11
Refused 1

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