I’ve never considered myself a monarchist.  I buy into those arguments about unelected privilege and unearned wealth.

But I was making these points to someone the other day and they said to me, “So who would you have instead?”

“An elected President” I said.

“Like who?”

And there my certainty faded a bit.

I realised that if we’d have abolished the monarchy 40 years ago we’d have had as Head of State representing all of us

Margaret Thatcher – certainly

Tony Blair too

David Cameron – very likely, or Boris Johnson maybe.

“Ah, but it doesn’t have to be a divisive politician” I hear you thinking.

So, David Beckham perhaps, or Cilla Black?

It’s a good question, isn’t it?