Can we be a truly democratic and egalitarian country with an unelected head of state? The CEO of campaigning group Republic is here to make a provocative case for abolition.

They weren’t elected but they live off the public purse. They aren’t accountable to anyone, and yet between them they are privy to more government secrets than many cabinet ministers. Divinely appointed, the head of the family is our superior, we are his subjects. Apparently, he is guardian of our constitution – but we’re also told he wouldn’t dream of interfering in politics.

Arrested and detained for protesting against the coronation of the King, Republic CEO Graham Smith is unwilling to accept the moral compromise that comes with monarchy, from the erosion of the principle of equality to the secret interference in our laws. He believes that true democracy is within our reach; and in this livestream event, he will show us how we can achieve it.

Praise for Graham Smith’s Abolish the Monarchy:

‘A crucial, riveting polemic in support of one of the most precious things humanity has built – democracy itself’ – Owen Jones

‘Graham Smith shows what fools our rotten constitution makes of us, with a monarch as emblem of a country beset by nepotism, backhanders, chumocracy and inherited privilege. Read and rebel!’ – Polly Toynbee