The document provides an overview of Republic's pro-republican media campaign surrounding the 2011 royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, which brought unprecedented media coverage and thousands of new supporters to Republic. The campaign included a "Not the royal wedding" street party that was covered by major news outlets. The exposure significantly grew Republic's online and social media presence. Republic will now focus on converting this new support into practical campaigning efforts as it works towards its goal of abolishing the British monarchy by 2025.
1. TH E V OI C E OF T H E REPUB LI CAN M OV EM ENT
2011 • Issue 2 • FREE
Unprecedented media
coverage wins thousands
of new supporters
Republic’s pro-active media campaign brought the newspaper also published a special feature on Republic.
republican message to an international audience of ‘We were always expecting lots of media interest as we’d
millions over the royal wedding weekend. made that a priority,’ says Republic’s campaign manager
The ‘Not the royal wedding’ street party, Republic’s Graham Smith. ‘But it’s fair to say we didn’t anticipate the
flagship event on the day of the wedding, was attended by huge level of interest that we received. We were doing
over a thousand republicans and featured on all of Britain’s back-to-back interviews for 48 hours!’
major TV channels. Channel 4’s Jon Snow, Sky’s Adam But Graham is eager to point out that media exposure is
Boulton and a crew from BBC’s The One Show visited the not an end in itself. ‘The reason we placed such emphasis
party to speak to Republic activists and supporters, as did on the media is that it is the
journalists from around the world. Republic spokespeople single most effective way
spent all day giving interviews to reporters, with many of recruiting members
volunteers and party-goers also speaking to the press. and reaching new
The unprecedented exposure drove tens of thousands audiences,’ he explains.
of republicans to Republic’s website, Facebook page and ‘Now we must turn all
Twitter feed. Many had never heard of Republic before: ‘At this new support into Page 2
last, a pressure group that campaigns for exactly what I’ve practical action.’ Media round up
been wanting to see for years,’ said one new supporter. ‘We’re looking forward to Page 3
Republic’s media profile had increased steadily since even more intensive campaigning In our lifetime
January, when a steering committee of volunteers first met as we prepare for jubilee year and Page 4
to plan a republican response to the wedding. In the run work towards getting rid of the Republic needs YOU
up to April 29 Republic’s team of staff and volunteers were monarchy altogether by 2025.’
July 9 conference
featured on BBC2’s Newsnight and Daily Politics, Channel
4 News and Radio 4’s You & Yours. The Independent See ‘Media round-up’, page 2. details inside
2. MEDIA ROUND UP
Royal wedding special
Republic’s ‘Not the royal Heseltine on BBC2’s Daily
wedding’ street party was Politics. Graham also took
featured on Sky News, BBC’s part in special editions of
The One Show, CNN, Al BBC Radio 4’s You & Yours
Jazeera and Channel 4 News. and The Moral Maze.
It was also reported by The
Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, The A week before the wedding,
Guardian, The Observer and The Independent magazine
The Daily Telegraph. published a three page
Republic’s campaign also
cover feature on Republic’s
reached an international
In the run up to the wedding, royal wedding campaign
audience through
Republic’s Executive Chair committee.
widespread coverage in
Emily Robinson participated
the Australian, Canadian,
in a live Channel 4 News On the day after the
European and US media,
debate on the future of the wedding, The Daily Express
including the John Stewart
monarchy while Graham warned William and Kate to
Daily Show (pictured).
Smith, Republic’s campaign beware of Republic, which
manager, discussed it described as ‘increasingly
republicanism with Michael vocal’ and ‘growing rapidly’.
CONTACT REPUBLIC Other news
Republic Campaign Graham Smith and Suzanne Republic is conducting
Campbell took part in research into the recent
Suite 14040 debates at a number of AV campaign to see what
145-157 St John Street schools and colleges over lessons can be learnt about
London EC1V 4PY recent months. More talks winning referenda and large
are planned in the coming public campaigns.
T: 020 7608 5742 weeks.
Republic membership will
Supporters in Wales have remain at the new low rate
held the inaugural Republic of just £5 for the foreseeable
Wales meeting. Republic future. Friends and family can
Wales has been set up to join easily online at
support our campaign across www.republic.org.uk/join.
Wales and in the devolved
assembly. More meetings are As this magazine goes to
ned up to
Are you sig
planned for Cardiff and north print we’ll be campaigning
ail list? Wales. on the issue of royal finances,
Re public’s em with a protest planned for
eould b Our new Republic 2025 June 25. Revised estimates
If not you c nt
on importa campaign was announced now put the cost of the
missing out s
vitation at our meeting on April 30 monarchy at around £200m
updates, in
ign actions. and will be formally launched a year.
and campa later in the year.
or
blic.org.uk ss.
www.repu
Sign up at with your email addre
contact us
2
3. In our lifetime Graham Smith
On April 30 we held the 2nd convention of the want to change?
Alliance of European Republican Movements. That masks the large
At the end of the meeting I announced the number of indifferent
soon-to-be-launched Republic 2025 campaign, people who can’t
a new campaign that will encompass all that we see the point in
do over the coming months and years as a way change but aren’t
of making it perfectly clear that we mean to bothered about the
achieve our aims. monarchy either. And
Republic 2025 is about laying down a marker, a lot of that support
stating unequivocally that this is not an intellectual is wrapped up in the
exercise, that it is a real movement for change. Queen herself.
By setting down a date we create a focus for our A poll published by
campaign and for our supporters, we put it into the Guardian a week
a context and into a timeframe which people can before the royal wedding suggested around 25%
relate to. thought we’d be better off without the monarchy.
As well as the palace and the media one of That’s an increase during a time of saturation
the biggest obstacles we face are republicans coverage of the royal family and the wedding.
who say “well I agree, but it won’t happen in my Over the past 10-15 years the British people have
lifetime”. Well I simply ask: “Why not?” It has to become a lot more small-r republican than ever
happen in someone’s lifetime, why not ours? This before, by which I mean we see ourselves much
isn’t something that will one day simply ‘happen’; more as citizens with rights rather than passive
it is something that must be made subjects, literally subject to a higher
to happen by people who believe authority. The expenses scandal,
in the cause of good democratic “It has to happen in freedom of information laws,
government. debates about the House of Lords
Over the past decades countless
someone’s lifetime, and devolution have all heightened
social and political changes have why not ours?” a sense of a need for change and a
happened within the span of a few belief that change is possible.
short years. Major upheavals have In this climate of changing
taken place over a matter of months. Just last attitudes and in the context of the ever-looming
year few would have predicted Mubarak would be succession we have growth of republican
ousted as president of Egypt any time soon. Ten movements in Europe and the Commonwealth.
years ago most Americans would probably have Never before in the modern political era, has there
said they were 20-30 years away from electing a been such an active, moderate and mainstream
black president. In the 1980s gay rights and the republican movement. Here in the UK we’re seeing
environmental movement were minority interests thousands of people sign up to our campaign at
that secured little political support, now they are a time of an avalanche of royal PR, across Europe
accepted by all mainstream parties. Big things republican movements are being established and
happen, and they happen quickly. are growing – and of course are coming together
There is no reason why Britain can’t throw off the to share ideas and tactics. In the Commonwealth
burden of our deeply undemocratic political system this is an issue that simply won’t go away.
and vote to write a new republican constitution in For all these reasons and more we can believe
the next 15 years. The opportunities to make the it is very possible to achieve change in our lifetime,
case have never been better, but we need to work well within our lifetime. But it’s change that won’t
now to make the most of those opportunities. just ‘happen’, it’s change that has to be made to
A lot of the public’s support for the monarchy happen, and that comes down to you and all those
is indicated in polls which only ask one simple in the country who aspire to see Britain become a
question: do you want the monarchy or do you genuinely full-blooded democracy.
For more news from Republic go to www.republic.org.uk 3
4. needs YOU
Dear supporter,
Republic’s royal wedding campaign was a huge
success and our profile has never been higher.
Now we need you – your skills, your enthusiasm,
your commitment – to keep the momentum going
and help us achieve real change.
The Palace is preparing for an all-out PR assault during the Jubilee year, and we must be
ready to fight back. We have to send a very clear message to the monarchy – and the
vested interests behind it – that Britain’s republicans are more organised, motivated and
unified than ever before. There has never been such a great time to make the case for a
fully-functioning democracy.
We’ve already planned a number of events for the coming months, and we’re looking for
your help to organise more talks and debates around the country. There is also lots you can
do to help Republic throughout the year, either as a local activist or a volunteer with the
national campaign team.
We have only got this far thanks to the energy and enthusiasm of ordinary republicans
who want to see real change. And we can only win the fight for real democracy with your
continued support.
There are more than 10 million republicans like you in Britain – can you imagine what we
could achieve if we all worked together?
Emily Robinson
Executive Chair, Republic
Republic Wales and Republic Scotland
Following the success of our royal wedding campaign we have re-launched Republic Scotland and
Republic Wales. These groups have been set up to mobilise republican activists within Scotland and
Wales, help us lobby within devolved politics and build support across the UK.
Both groups have new websites – www.republicscotland.org and www.republic-wales.org – where
you can find out more, get in touch and sign up to their Facebook pages. We are keen to hear from
anyone in Scotland or Wales who would like to be involved in the groups, as a committee member,
media spokesperson or activist.
4
5. Forthcoming events See full details at www.republic.org.uk/whatson
Annual Conference: Challenging the jubilee
July 9, 2-5pm
Directory of Social Change, 24 Stephenson Way,
London NW1 2DP
Our 2011 Annual Conference will focus on our new campaigns that
will lead us into the Jubilee year.
The John Campbell Lecture, with keynote speaker Michael Mansfield QC
October 4, 7pm
Central London venue to be confirmed
In October this year we’ll be hosting the inaugural John Campbell
Lecture, in memory of our former Chair who died last year. We are
delighted to announce that Michael Mansfield QC, campaigning
lawyer and distinguished supporter of Republic, will be the keynote
speaker for the evening.
Annual General Meeting
October 29
Central London venue to be confirmed
Our AGM is an opportunity to hear reports from staff and directors and to discuss campaign strategy.
Members and guests only.
Volunteering
As we prepare for our 2012 jubilee campaign we are looking to take on a team of volunteers who
can help with a wide variety of jobs and projects.
If you would like to help with our activities please read through the list below and get in touch with
the relevant contact person.
See the full list of volunteer opportunities at www.republic.org.uk/volunteer
Photographers
We need professional photographers or skilled amateurs who can work on a number of
photographic projects, including studio work and live event photography. We’re particularly keen
to find someone who has access to a London-based studio. Please contact Graham Smith on
07747 608 770 or email graham@republic.org.uk.
Event organisers
Our volunteer events team always needs more help from people with experience in event-
management. Please email Jen Gingell at jen@republic.org.uk
Graphic designers
We have an increasing need for professional graphic designers who are able to put in the time to
produce a variety of work for online and print formats. If you are interested please contact Graham
on 07747 608 770 or email graham@republic.org.uk.
Web builders and developers
We need experienced web builders and developers with a good knowledge of PHP and MySQL
or who are experienced with setting up and developing systems such as Drupal and civiCRM.
Please get in touch with Graham on 07747 608 770 or at graham@republic.org.uk
Join the debate at www.facebook.com/republiccampaign 5
6. Police under pressure to answer
questions of republican arrests
Republic is seeking an urgent meeting with Republic campaign manager Graham Smith. ‘The
senior Metropolitan police officers after reports police are there to serve and protect the people,
of peaceful republican protesters being pre- not to serve and protect the interests of the royal
emptively arrested and released without charge family and their supporters.’
over the royal wedding weekend. Meanwhile, Republic supporter Julian Huppert
Republic has previously raised serious concerns MP is seeking answers from the Metropolitan police
over statements from Commander Christine Jones, over the arrest of Charlie Veitch, a constituent who
who oversaw the wedding security operation. Her planned to protest at the wedding. ‘I am anxious
comments suggested police officers had sought to to find out more about the circumstances behind
silence republican protests. Mr Veitch’s arrest and the intelligence on which the
‘We must receive assurances from the police police acted,’ Huppert told his local newspaper.
that the rights of republicans are equal to those of ‘We cannot allow free speech and peaceful protest
monarchists and everyone else in this country,’ said to be criminalised.’
Republican MP defies ban on
discussing royals in Parliament
Paul Flynn MP, a distinguished supporter of the convention, which dates back more than 800
Republic, is planning to use a ‘nuclear option’ to years, by tabling a substantive motion criticising
get round the ban on discussing members of the Andrew.
royal family in Parliament. ‘I hope MPs of all parties will fall in behind me.
Flynn was stopped from raising questions about It is ridiculous that MPs are prevented from doing
Prince Andrew’s conduct by Commons Speaker their job,’ Flynn told his local newspaper. ‘This is a
John Bercow, as the Parliamentary rulebook key issue, involving vital trade contracts, which we
forbids such debate. Now Flynn plans to sidestep should be examining.’
Can you help us find an office?
Many Republic supporters don’t realise that all our staff and volunteers currently work from home. But
Republic is growing – and we’re soon going to need permanent London headquarters.
We not only require office and meeting space for staff, but also a base for volunteers and somewhere to
hold media interviews. This will become absolutely vital as we prepare for our jubilee campaigns.
If you think you might be able to help with the provision of free or budget office space or would like to
contribute to the cost of a commercial premises please contact Graham Smith on 07747 608 770 or
email graham@republic.org.uk
6
7. Republic takes royal bias fight
to BBC Trust
Republic has submitted a formal complaint to
the BBC Trust Editorial Standards Committee
over the corporation’s coverage of the royal
wedding.
The complaint accuses the BBC of breaching
its agreement with Parliament to ensure that
controversial subjects are treated with due
accuracy and impartiality and that a wide range of
perspectives are given due weight.
‘By breaching the agreement in this way, the BBC
has implied that monarchism – in reality a highly
contested political viewpoint – is uncontroversial
and universal,’ the letter says.
Representatives of Republic met with BBC
bosses in March to discuss their concerns and, The complaint quotes BBC journalist Raymond
as a result, republican views were featured more Snoddy who admitted on his blog that ‘much of the
prominently on Radio 4 in the run up to the wedding. coverage was fawning and irredeemably trivial …
But Republic has told committee members that the It was an event that was ring-fenced with normally
vast majority of the coverage was ‘characterised by tough journalists asking no questions, certainly not
a complete absence of journalistic scrutiny’. tough questions.’
European republicans gather to
plan ‘monarchy-free continent’
Republicans from across Europe met in London Graham Smith. ‘We’re confident that over the next
on the day after the royal wedding for the decade or so we’ll see public opinion move more
second Convention of the Alliance of European and more in our direction. With our European
Republican Movements (AERM). friends also campaigning for democratic change
The Convention was hosted by Republic and our movement will be that much stronger.’
attended by republicans from the Netherlands, The Swedish royal wedding, like Britain’s, led to
Belgium, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Delegates a surge in support for Republikanska Föreningen,
explored opportunities for sharing expertise and the republican campaign in Sweden. ‘A royal event
resources, pursuing joint campaigns and offering makes people reflect on the institution of monarchy,
mutual support. and in Sweden many arrived at the conclusion that
The AERM was launched in Stockholm last year, this is an outdated and rather bizarre phenomenon,’
at the time of Swedish Crown Princess Victoria’s said Helena Tolvhed, a director of the campaign.
wedding, to create a network of republican You can find out more about the AERM at
movements in all the European countries that www.aerm.org.
continue to have monarchs as their heads of state.
‘Since the AERM was launched we’ve been
busy sharing experiences and swapping ideas with
our European counterparts,’ explained Republic’s
Help us create a democratic Britain by making a donation at www.republic.org.uk/donate 7
