We are members of the Green Party dedicated to advocating democratic reform.
Our mission is twofold:
Within the Green Party - our goal is to ensure Green Party policy is updated so that the Green Party of England and Wales is explicit about the full and complete abolition of the monarchy.
Outreach - to lay the groundwork for a monarchy-free nation by working together with organisations with aligned aims e.g Republic, Our Republic and Labour For A Republic.
The Green Party explicitly opposes the hereditary principle in government, advocating for its removal from the House of Lords and the cessation of the monarchy as an office of government. Members believe hereditary peers have no place in a modern, democratic system.
HOWEVER, the wording of the 2008 policy would allow for a reduced Royal household to remain.
This would be unacceptable for anybody who wants a fairer, more democratic country.
Compare the original GP policy with our suggested update:
ORIGINAL:
PA600 The Green Party believes that the hereditary principle should have no place in government. Therefore the Green Party advocates that:
No person shall acquire the right to any office of government by inheritance.
A hereditary peerage shall confer no right to sit in Parliament (see Public Administration and Government: PA455).
The monarchy shall cease to be an office of government. The legislative, executive and judicial roles of the monarch shall cease.
Peers and members of the royal family shall have the same civil rights and fiscal obligations as other citizens.
OUR UPDATED VERSION:
PA600 – Abolition of the Monarchy
The Green Party believes that the hereditary principle has no place in a democratic government. Therefore, the Green Party advocates for the complete abolition of the monarchy. Specifically:
No person shall acquire the right to any office of government by inheritance.
A hereditary peerage shall confer no right to sit in Parliament (see Public Administration and Government: PA455).
The institution of the monarchy shall be abolished in its entirety. All legislative, executive, and judicial functions currently performed by or in the name of the monarch shall be permanently ended or reassigned to democratic institutions.
Former peers and members of the royal family shall enjoy the same civil rights and bear the same fiscal responsibilities as all other citizens, with no special privileges.
How can I help?
Internal mission - Join us in the Democracy, Government and Constitution Working Group to work on policy proposals for Policy Fest.
You will volunteer alongside fellow Greens from across the country in order to complete vital behind-the-scenes work.
Contact the Policy Development Committee to sign up for monthly Zoom meetings at policy@greenparty.org.uk
Outreach mission - join our Whatsapp group where we plan and organise campaign work.
Contact us via email for the link!
Our Mission
The Green Case for a Republic: Why It’s Time to End the Monarchy
Every year, the British monarchy costs the public hundreds of millions of pounds.
And despite what government guidance claims, these costs are not “covered” by the Crown Estate — they come directly from taxpayers. For those of us in the Green Party, committed to transparency, equality, and sustainability, the case for a republic has never been clearer.
1. The Sovereign Grant – What It Really Is
The Sovereign Grant funds the monarch’s official duties. Under the Sovereign Grant Act 2011 Its value is set as a percentage of Crown Estate profits. On paper, that sounds tidy. In practice, it’s a political sleight of hand.
The Crown Estate belongs to the state, not the monarch. All profits go into the Treasury’s Consolidated Fund. The Treasury then separately pays the Sovereign Grant to the monarch. There is no “exchange” or “surrender” of funds — just an annual transfer from taxpayers to the Royal Household.
Even the House of Commons Library calls the government’s explanation “not strictly correct.”
2. The True Cost – and What We Could Do Instead
Activist group Republic estimates that the monarchy costs at least £500 million a year, excluding special events like coronations or royal weddings.
That’s enough to:
* Fund thousands of new onshore wind turbines
* Create tens of thousands of green jobs in home insulation
* Restore vast areas of wildlife habitat
In a climate emergency, it is indefensible to prioritise palace refurbishments and royal ceremonies over urgent environmental investment.
3. Accountability and Democracy
Before 2011, MPs could scrutinise royal spending in detail. Now, the Sovereign Grant is reviewed only every five years, with little parliamentary oversight in between. Since 2011, the National Audit Office has published just two reports on royal finances.
Unelected, unaccountable heads of state are fundamentally at odds with Green values. We believe in transparent, participatory democracy — not inherited privilege.
4. Land, Wealth, and Power
The monarchy controls vast tracts of land and property. How these are managed affects biodiversity, public access, and carbon emissions. Public ownership of these estates could mean genuine community stewardship, nature restoration, and renewable energy development — instead of secrecy and private privilege.
5. Time for Change
The next review of the Sovereign Grant takes place in 2026. This is our chance to demand not just tinkering with the formula, but a real conversation about the future of the monarchy.
A Green Republic would mean:
A democratic head of state chosen by the people
A written constitution that includes environmental protections
Public assets — including royal estates — managed for the common good
The monarchy is a relic of inequality, dressed up in ceremony to distract from its cost. If we are serious about building a fair, sustainable, democratic future, it’s time to say it plainly: Britain doesn’t need a king — it needs a Green Republic.