But Comparison With Police and Press Faulty
Forty five per cent of Britons believe it “very important” that we keep the monarchy according to a survey by NatCen Social Research.
That might seem not to be such bad news for republicans. However, six years ago only 27 per cent expressed such support for the feudal institution. And over the same period confidence in the police and press has fallen significantly.
It is certain that a free press and honest policing are essential in a democratic society, while monarchy is not. Many thriving democratic nations have no monarchy. None are without police and a free press. Because these institutions are essential it seems likely that citizens examine their behaviour more carefully, and are more concerned when they fall short.
The Windsors take the money without making any useful contribution but they have entertainment value. Because they are inessential their failings are less worrying and are judged by a different standard. It may be that some turn to the fantasy world of monarchy for comfort when more important institutions become more suspect. And while the police and press are exposed to plenty of serious criticism, monarchy as an institution is handled with kid gloves by legislators and most of the news media, the BBC in particular. The Windsors are also well served by a skilled public relations operation financed by the people they play for fools.
The real strength of support for monarchy and the nature of that support will be known only when it is exposed to the same degree of scrutiny and scepticism as the essential institutions. But because it fulfils no essential need that scrutiny and scepticism are hard to achieve.