Taking to the podium: Do you support the Royal Family?

If you had asked me as a teenager I would have said ‘Abolish them all!’, but my views on the royal family have changed completely.

Why? Well, because Britain’s constitutional system with the monarch as head of state by and large works, and because members of the royal family perform a public service that would be hard to replace and could not be bought in any other way.

The Queen has been a magnificent head of state over her 67 years on the throne. But it is not just Her Majesty. I have witnessed on many occasions the visible boost brought to important parts in our community when they receive a royal visit from other family members. Take the joy and pride brought by Princess Anne’s visit to Project John in Barrow last year - it was wonderful to see. Similarly, Prince William’s attendance at the Westminster Abbey service to recognise the dedication of submariners made the event even more special.

The royals also give the British state unparalleled soft power on the international stage. There can be few better ways to strengthen the ties with another country than a visit by the head of state or royal tour.

I am increasingly proud of the constitutional monarchy that was created over many at times turbulent years in the English, then British states. Our peculiarly British compromise is part of our nation’s strength: a monarchy beholden to the people, relying on public consent to reign and allowing power to reside in them via our parliamentary democracy.

I understand the argument that a hereditary head of state is an anachronism. Indeed, I used to espouse that view myself. But why would adding another layer of government with an elected politician as head of state be any better?

President Corbyn? No thank you. Let’s stick with the Crown.

Tim Farron MP

As a proud democrat, having an unelected head of state is something that I should be hugely opposed to – but I’m not.

Our constitutional monarchy means that we have the best of both worlds – those with the most power given a mandate by the people, but with the checks and balances in place to prevent those in Downing Street from having too much power.

At a time when the ineptitude of our political leaders is turning Britain into an international laughing stock, we should all be really grateful that we have a Queen who is a fantastic global ambassador for our country.

The values that the Queen has embodied over the past 60 odd years are about decency, about service, about civilisation, about stability, and about family.

They are things that underpin our civilisation.

It is all the more important that we recognise that Her Majesty occupies the most senior position in our society—indeed, the most privileged position in our society—but her conduct is marked by humility and service, not claiming the grandeur of office.

But it’s not just the Queen that we can be proud of.

The work that Prince Charles has done on climate change and the way that Prince William and Prince Harry have spoken about their own experiences with mental health problems are extremely admirable.

Meanwhile the importance of the Royal Family both to tourism and to our cultural identity should not be understated.

As well our things like our armed forces, our music and – for once - our football team, the Royal Family plays a big part making people feel proud to be British and long may they continue.

Trudy Harrison MP

Our Royal Family brings a lot of benefit in many ways, not least by creating a feel-good factor.

We’ve followed the story of Meghan and Harry who married and now have a baby boy to join a new generation.

Our Royal Family brings a real human side and yet is also a long way from the reality of how our own children grow up and face the pressures of life.

But there is also much our Queen and her family bring to our communities in the shape of official visits and charity work.

A lot of good causes are supported by our Royal Family and in doing so hugely raise their profile.

This work, and the much-anticipated visits, does a lot to help put our areas, our people, businesses, services and tourism in the national spotlight.

In doing so it brings a huge boost and publicity, while also helping local concerns and good news stories to reach the highest platform.

The Queen is our head of the Commonwealth and we look forward to the honour of Birmingham hosting the prestigious Commonwealth Games in 2022, together with the associated benefits that will bring.

Each year our Royal Family attracts millions of visitors to the UK who then put millions into our economy.

Youth work through The Prince’s Trust and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, provides tremendous support to our young people.

And, of course, our Royal Family heavily supports the work of our Armed Forces.

A part of British life for many centuries, our Royal Family may not always have been loved, but it has endured.

And it is this rich, regal history which has provided our nations with traditions that continue to fascinate and captivate a new 21st century generation.