Leaked report moots stripping UK monarchy of political power

The report, “Modernizing the Monarchy”, by the Demos think-tank which was to have been published in September, also recommends scrapping the tradition of elected deputies swearing allegiance to the crown.

As well the monarch should no longer have the right to appoint a prime minister in the event of a hung Parliament, where no party has a clear majority, Demos suggested.

The royal honours list, through which the monarch bestows titles on favoured subjects, should also be done away with.

However, the pamphlet has provoked a fierce attack from the Opposition Conservative Partywhich have linked the report to British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Demos’s chief, Geoff Mulgan, is a member of Blair’s inner circle of advisors.

Mark Leonard, one of the pamphlet’s authors, insisted it was “certainly not” an attack on the monarchy.

“The key thrust is that the vast majority of people in Britain are monarchists. They want to keep the monarchy. But they want a modernised monarchy,” he said.

“The key principle is that people don’t any longer feel they want to be ruled or reigned by the monarchy. `’They want a figure that symbolises our hopes and fears as a nation, that stands for us, represents us abroad and at home. That’s what they’re really attached to.”

The Conservative’s constitutional affairs spokesman Dr Liam Fox denounced the pamphlet. “What we are witnessing under the Blair premiership is the `de-Britishing’ of Britain,” he said.

LONDON: Britain’s prestigious Buckingham University has decided to honour Lord Swraj Paul with an honorary degree of doctor of sciencein recognition of his “significant contribution to enterprise and initiative” early next year.

Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher is the chancellor of the university with students from about 80 countries.

This is yet another honour for Lord Paul who was recently appointed the first ever pro-chancellor of London’s Thames Valley University.

Lord Paul, chairman of 650 million pound sterling Caparo group of companies, is also the roving business ambassador of Britain, the country he made his home 30 years ago when he left India for medical treatment of his daughter.