Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Labour MP warns against ‘white, privileged male’ as Britain’s head of state for another 100 years

At a fringe event ahead of Labour's annual conference, Richard Burgon says it is ridiculous that MPs swear an oath to the new monarch.

Labour MP warns against ‘white, privileged male’ as Britain’s head of state for another 100 years

A Labour MP has warned against a “white, privileged male” as Britain’s head of state for the next century as dozens of ‘woke’ republicans pitched for the abolition of the monarchy.

At a fringe event organised by the pressure group Labour for a Republic ahead of the opposition party’s annual conference in Liverpool, Richard Burgon said it was “ridiculous” that MPs swore an oath to the new monarch.

“How can we not talk about whether or not a head of state should be elected?” the MP for Leeds East said as he welcomed the discussion on the future of the monarchy.

“We respect all views but it’s a really important discussion,” Burgon, a member of the left-wing Socialist Campaign Group, said and added, “I’m really glad this is taking place.”

Leaflets handed out to the attendees of the event urged Labour to “lead on this issue” of abolishing the Royal family, The Telegraph reported.

“With the late Queen’s reign now ended, Britain faces a future with a white, privileged male as head of state for the remainder of this century — at least,” the flyers said.

“There’s little doubt that this will only accelerate calls for an end to the monarchy,” they said.

According to the flyers, “Under a republican constitution, citizens, collectively, would be sovereign, with a head of state elected on merit and with responsibility for protecting our constitution.”

The Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee, who was among some 60 people present at the event, said she had wanted the Queen to be Elizabeth “the last”.

“There was no nanosecond between [the Queen] drawing her last breath and the crown being placed on her son’s head the next instant,” Toynbee said, referring to Charles III taking over the reign immediately after Elizabeth's death.

“There never is a perfect time” to talk about the monarchy and the country, she said, arguing for a ceremonial president for Britain.

More For You

Fathers over 60 help 'reverse UK birthrate decline'

Photo for representation (Photo: iStock)

Fathers over 60 help 'reverse UK birthrate decline'

THE UK has recorded its first increase in births since 2021, with a notable rise in babies born to fathers over 60 helping to lift the numbers, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

In 2024, there were 594,677 live births in England and Wales, up 0.6 per cent from the previous year. While this is a modest increase, it marks a change after several years of decline.

Keep ReadingShow less
Quad-leaders

The foreign ministers of the Quad — India, the US, Australia and Japan — met in Washington DC on Tuesday to outline priorities for the bloc’s annual summit to be held in India later this year. (Photo credit: X/@DrSJaishankar)

X/@DrSJaishankar

Quad condemns Pahalgam attack, flags China’s actions and Myanmar crisis

THE QUAD grouping has called for the perpetrators, organisers and financiers of the Pahalgam terror attack to be brought to justice without delay. The group also urged all UN member states to cooperate in the process.

The foreign ministers of the Quad — India, the US, Australia and Japan — met in Washington DC on Tuesday to outline priorities for the bloc’s annual summit to be held in India later this year.

Keep ReadingShow less
'Preventable' grid failure caused Heathrow fire, says report

FILE PHOTO: Airplanes remain parked on the tarmac at Heathrow International. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso

'Preventable' grid failure caused Heathrow fire, says report

A FIRE that shut London's Heathrow airport in March, stranding thousands of people, was caused by the UK power grid's failure to maintain an electricity substation, an official report said on Wednesday (2), prompting the energy watchdog to open a probe.

The closure of Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, cost airlines tens of millions of pounds. It also raised questions about the resilience of Britain's infrastructure.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tributes paid to Asian mum who died in Leicester attack

Leicestershire Police

Tributes paid to Asian mum who died in Leicester attack

TRIBUTES have poured in for a 'kind-hearted' mother who tragically lost her life last week after being attacked in Leicester.

Nila Patel, 56, a British Indian woman described as a "beautiful, vibrant soul," died in hospital two days after suffering a head injury during an assault on Aylestone Road.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pakistan IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Sri Lanka to receive USD 350 million as IMF completes fourth review

THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF) has completed the fourth review of Sri Lanka’s USD 2.9 billion bailout programme, allowing the country to access the next tranche of USD 350 million from the four-year facility.

The IMF had approved the nearly USD 3 billion bailout in March 2023 to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to restore macroeconomic stability, including fiscal and debt sustainability, during an unprecedented economic crisis.

Keep ReadingShow less