Scottish republicanism (Scottish Gaelic:Poblachdas na h-Alba) orrepublicanism in Scotland is an ideology based on the belief that Scotland should be arepublic; the nation is currently amonarchy as part of theUnited Kingdom. Republicanism is associated withScottish nationalism and theScottish independence movement, but also withBritish republicanism and the movement forfederalism in the United Kingdom.
Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun is one of the most prominent pre-Union advocates of a Scottish republic, based on agrarian and patriarchal principles.[1] He was a major inspiration toScottish Enlightenment philosopherAdam Ferguson, whose republican ideals were penned down inAn Essay on the History of Civil Society (1767).[1]
One of the foremost documentations of modern Scottish republicanism is theDeclaration of Calton Hill, proclaimed on 9 October 2004, the same day that QueenElizabeth II opened the newScottish Parliament Building atHolyrood.[2]
In the run-up to the2014 independence referendum, theRadical Independence Campaign advocated an independent Scottish republic with an elected head of state,[3] instead of the continued union of crowns established with theEnglish monarchy, predating the Acts of Union.
Ahead of the Accession declaration ofCharles III atMercat Cross in Edinburgh on 11 September 2022, the campaign groupOur Republic stated: "We encourage those with objections to these proclamations to make those clear".[4] The members voiced their opposition to the new King through booing, turning their backs and shouting "no consent", and holding up anti-Monarchy slogans during the Lord Lyon King of Arms's declaration. They were briefly detained byPolice Scotland before being released. One protester was later again arrested and charged under "Breach of the Peace".[5]
Many people who advocate Scotland becoming a republic do so through their support forScottish independence. This would entail Scotland becoming independent from theUnited Kingdom and instead of continuing theUnion of the Crowns that predate the political union, a republic would be formed, with an elected Head of State assuming the role of the deposed monarch.
Scotland's largest pro-independence party, theScottish National Party (SNP), favours retaining the monarchy as aCommonwealth realm similar to the situation in other crown countries like Canada, Australia and New Zealand.[6] However, the party has a number of prominent republican members, includingRoseanna Cunningham,Tommy Sheppard[7][8] andHumza Yousaf,[9] who served as First Minister from 2023 to 2024.[10]
The republicanScottish Green Party have held two ministerial positions in the Scottish Government since 2021, under theBute House Agreement. Green co-leader andMinister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' RightsPatrick Harvie has been highly critical of theBritish monarchy, calling for the monarch to be replaced with a "democratically accountable head of state", as well as describing theRoyal Family an "outdated, discredited and totally undemocratic institution".[11] Harvie boycotted a service of thanksgiving for theCoronation of Charles III and Camilla inSt Giles' Cathedral along with fellow Green co-leader andMinister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and BiodiversityLorna Slater. Slater had previously spoken at a republican rally in May 2023 on Calton Hill withMaggie Chapman.
The SNP proposes that in the event ofindependence, thepresiding officer's post be replaced with that ofchancellor of Scotland. In addition to presiding over the Scottish Parliament, the chancellor would possess additional constitutional powers during the absence of the monarch from Scotland; chiefly, the chancellor should act in a role similar to agovernor-general in the otherCommonwealth realms.[12]
Most of the other political parties and organisations which advocate Scottish independence also advocate Scotland becoming an independent republic. These include:
Another concept for Scotland becoming a republic is through reform of the United Kingdom's constitutional status from a constitutional monarchy to a republican constitution. There is not an explicit link with British unionism, as this tends to advocate the Union of Crowns. This is a form ofBritish republicanism, which is the majority position among English republicans; politicians likeDennis Skinner andJeremy Corbyn and the advocacy groupRepublic have all expressed preference for this. There is no mainstream support for this concept in any Scottish political parties, and it remains a personal position, unlike support for an independent Scottish republic which does have party support.
Adam Tomkins was a republican who supported a reformed Britain without monarchy,[18] but his opinion shifted after being elected for the firmly monarchistScottish Conservative & Unionist Party.[19] Additionally,Scottish Labour MSPsKaty Clark andMercedes Villalba advocate for abolishing the Monarchy across the UK as well as radical constitutional reform.[20][21] The Scottish campaign groupOur Republic also contains several members who support Scotland remaining in a reformed Union.
| Table of public opinion in Scotland on the "British Monarchy" as part of UK. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date conducted | Pollster | Sample size | Support monarchy | Support elected head of state | Undecided/ Ambivalent | Lead | Notes |
| 2024 | Survation[22] | - | 34% | 45% | 21% | 11% | First poll to prefer elected head of state. |
| King Charles III has a coronation on 6 May 2023 | |||||||
| 17–20 April 2023 | YouGov[23] | 1,032 | 46% | 40% | 14% | 6% | (Reference to future) Question: Do you think Britain should continue to have a monarchy in the future, or should it be replaced with an elected head of state? |
| 3–15 March 2023 | Lord Ashcroft[24] | 1,470 | 46% | 32% | 22% | 14% | Question: "If there were a referendum tomorrow, how would you vote?" |
| 7–11 October 2022 | Panelbase[25] | 1,018 | 50% | 37% | 14% | 13% | Question: "Should the monarchy be retained or should we be a republic with an elected head of state?" |
| 30 September – 4 October 2022 | YouGov[26] | 1,067 | 50% | 34% | 17% | 16% | (Reference to future) Question: "Do you think Britain should continue to have a monarchy in the future, or should it be replaced with an elected head of state?" |
| Queen Elizabeth II dies on 8 September 2022 and King Charles III ascends to the throne | |||||||
| 11–15 March 2021 | Opinium[27][28] | 1,096 | 45% | 36% | 19% | 9% | (Reference to future) Question: "Do you think Britain should continue to have a monarchy in the future, or become a republic?" |
| 2018 | DeltaPoll[29][30] | 511 | 41% | 28% | 31% | 13% | Question: "Are you in favour or against the institution of the Monarchy?" |
| 9 January 2015 – 14 January 2015 | Panelbase[31] | 1,007 | 65% | 25% | 10% | 40% | Question: "Should Britain keep the monarchy?" |
| 17 October 2013 – 24 October 2013 | Panelbase[32] | 866 | 48% | 32% | 20% | 16% | Question: "What are your views on the monarchy?" |
| 24 April 2007 – 26 April 2007 | YouGov[33] | 1,012 | 62% | 46% | 12% | 16% | Question: "If Scotland remains within the UK, should the Queen remain Scotland’s head of state?" |
| Table of public opinion in Scotland on the "British Monarchy" If Scotland becomes independent. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date conducted | Pollster | Sample size | Support monarchy | Support elected head of state | Undecided/ Ambivalent/would not vote | Lead | Notes |
| 4–6 December 2024 | Norstat[34][35] | 1,013 | 36% | 51% | 12% | 15% | (Vote on Scotland becoming both independent and a republic) "If Scottish independence meant that Scotland would be a republic - meaning the King would no longer be the head of state, so Scotland’s governance would be fully democratic and not a monarchy - how would you vote if there were an independence referendum tomorrow?" |
| King Charles III has a coronation on 6 May 2023 | |||||||
| 3–15 March 2023 | Lord Ashcroft[24] | 1,470 | 38% | 44% | 18% | 6% | "If Scotland voted to become independent, would you want the King to remain as Scotland's head of state, or not?" |
| 12–16 December 2022 | Panelbase[36] | 1,004 | 35% | 43% | 21% | 8% | Question: “If Scotland votes to become an independent country should Scotland be a republic with an elected head of state or should Scotland keep King Charles as head of state?” |
| 30 September – 4 October 2022 | YouGov[26] | 1,067 | 41% | 40% | 19% | 1% | Question: "And, if Scotland became an independent country, do you think it should continue to have a monarchy in the future, or should it be replaced with an elected head of state?" |
| 29 September – 5 October 2022 | Ipsos[37] | 1,000 | 42% | 29% | 23% | 13% | Question: "If Scotland were to become an independent country in the future, would you support or oppose Scotland keeping the reigning UK monarch as its head of state?" |
| Queen Elizabeth II dies on 8 September 2022 and King Charles III ascends to the throne | |||||||
| 16–24 June 2021 | Panelbase[38] | 1,287 | 47% | 35% | 18% | 12% | Question: "If Scotland becomes independent would you prefer the monarch to remain head of state in Scotland or would you rather Scotland had an elected head of state?" |
| 11–16 March 2021 | Opinium[39] | 1,096 | 39% | 39% | 22% | even | Question: "If Scotland became an independent country do you think Scotland should continue as a monarchy or become a republic?" |
| 24–26 April 2007 | YouGov[40] | 1,012 | 38% | 47% | 15% | 9% | Question: "Should the Queen remain Head of State in an independent Scotland?" |
| 18–20 April 2007 | YouGov[41] | 1,027 | 40% | 41% | 19% | 1% | Question: "What is your preference as to an independent Scotland’s head of state?" |
| Date conducted | Pollster | Sample size | Support monarchy | Support elected head of state or other | Undecided/ Ambivalent | Lead | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9–11 January 2012 | YouGov[42] | 1,002 | 46% (4% for a replacement Scottish monarch) | 41% | 8% | 5% (excluding a Scottish monarch) | Question: "If Scotland were to become independent, what would be your prefered [sic] head of state?" |
| 8–10 July 2008 | YouGov[43] | 1,131 | 55% | Someone else: 10%, no head of state: 29% | 6% | 16% | Question: "What is your preference as to an independent Scotland’s head of state?" (3 options for answer + don't know) |
