A PLANNED protest against King Charles has been announced for the day of his coronation in Cardiff. The group behind the demonstration is Cymru Republic, who previously protested the King’s visit to Cardiff. They plan to gather at the Aneurin Bevan statue at 12:30 pm on Saturday, May 6, before marching along Queen Street and continuing towards Bute Park’s stone circle. Once they reach their destination, they will host a “republican lunch” and encourage everyone to bring a picnic. The organisers intend to have music playing throughout the march, and they may even have a samba band.
One of the event’s organisers, Ben Gwalchmai, 38, from Montgomeryshire, cited his motivation for opposing the monarchy as his perception of the current system’s unfairness. Gwalchmai, who has worked as a teacher, factory worker, and farmer, is currently an unpaid carer. He expressed his belief that those who perform some of the most challenging tasks, such as caring for others, receive next to nothing from the government. For instance, the carer’s allowance has recently increased to £76 per week, but to qualify, one must provide 35 hours of care per week. If one has a full-time job, nearly every other waking hour is dedicated to providing care.
Gwalchmai believes that there are people out there who are struggling, while members of the royal family, who are billionaires in worth, if not necessarily in cash, receive £80 million from UK taxpayers each year. He noted that the Irish president’s total cost is approximately one-tenth of that amount, which is considerably less than the cost of maintaining the monarchy. Gwalchmai also argued that it is not just about money but also the fact that having a monarchy, even if it is a constitutional monarchy, perpetuates inequality. He stated that the monarchy is a feudal and medieval institution that is at the top of the UK’s political and social hierarchy in the 21st century.
The Cymru Republic is not the only group advocating for the abolition of the monarchy. Republic, a UK-based organisation, has long campaigned for the country to become a democratic republic. The group’s CEO, Graham Smith, remarked that the monarchy is a “symbol of inequality” and is incompatible with modern democracy. He claims that the Queen’s role is a symbolic representation of the UK’s unequal social and political structures, and that this undermines the country’s democratic principles.
However, not everyone shares this perspective. A recent YouGov poll revealed that 60% of Britons wish to retain the monarchy, with only 19% favouring a republic. It is unclear whether the protest will influence public opinion, but it is clear that it will be an important event for those who believe in the cause. With the coronation just a few weeks away, it remains to be seen how the event will unfold and whether it will impact the debate over the monarchy’s future.
