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Fact check: Have any UK political parties or leaders formally endorsed abolishing the monarchy recently?
Executive Summary
Two recent public statements and opinion pieces show rising debate over the UK monarchy, but there is no evidence that a major UK political party has formally endorsed abolishing the monarchy as official policy. A clear party-level endorsement exists from the Green Party leader on abolition, while mainstream parties such as Labour and Reform UK have not added abolition to their manifestos or official platforms [1] [2] [3].
1. A Green Party leader has openly backed abolition — what that means and where it came from
The Green Party’s new leader, Zack Polanski, publicly endorsed abolition of the monarchy, framing it as a symbol of inequality and linking it to the party’s broader platform for constitutional change as the party marks membership growth and electoral milestones [1]. That statement was reported in mid-October 2025 and is tied to immediate political developments within the Green Party, including expectations of gaining a seat in the Senedd. The Green Party operates as a national political organisation with devolved branches and has historically supported republican positions in various forms, so a leader-level endorsement aligns with existing party currents. However, a leader’s position does not automatically translate into an immediate, formal change to a party manifesto or indisputable party policy across all branches, particularly given internal governance and manifesto processes.
2. Major parties — Labour’s position remains unchanged in practice and in manifestos
The Labour Party’s recent official documents and its 2024 manifesto make no call to abolish the monarchy, focusing instead on domestic policy priorities such as economic stability and public services [2]. Historical analyses show Labour has contained a spectrum of republican sentiment among members, but as an institution it has generally been cautious and conservative on abolishing the monarchy, prioritising electoral strategy over constitutional rupture [4]. Post-2024 coverage of Labour’s victory and plans for governance did not list republican reforms as a priority, reinforcing that Labour leadership and formal party platforms have not recently moved to endorse abolition in any official capacity [5]. This indicates continuity in Labour’s practical approach: reform-minded individuals exist within the party, but there is no formal party-level abolition endorsement.
3. Other parties — Reform UK and the wider party landscape show no formal push for abolition
Reform UK’s recent policy documents and public plans do not mention abolishing the monarchy, concentrating on immigration, economy, healthcare, and public services instead [3] [6]. The party’s priorities are institutional reform in the broad sense but stop short of proposing replacement of the constitutional monarchy. Similarly, surveys and commentary indicate a decline in public enthusiasm for the monarchy to historically low recorded levels, and only a minority explicitly support abolition — 15% in one major survey — which may explain why mainstream parties have avoided making abolition central to their platforms [7]. The absence of abolitionist policy across several party manifestos suggests that, outside of smaller green and republican groups and individual leaders, there is no coordinated party-level drive to abolish the monarchy.
4. Media and opinion pieces are intensifying debate but do not equal formal party endorsement
Recent opinion journalism has sharpened critiques of the monarchy, with authors calling for abolition on grounds ranging from scandal-driven accountability to structural inequality [8]. Other opinion writers argue abolition is a distraction from redistributive policy priorities [9]. These pieces — published across October 2025 and earlier — influence public debate and can pressure parties, but they are not formal party endorsements. The distinction matters: opinion columns and leader statements represent advocacy and persuasion, while a formal party endorsement requires a change in official party policy, manifestos, or conference decisions. At present the documentary record shows leader-level advocacy from the Green Party and broader public discussion, but not widespread, formal party adoption of abolitionism.
5. Big picture: public sentiment, party strategy, and what to watch next
Public surveys show support for the monarchy at historic lows, but outright support for abolition remains a minority position, limiting political incentives for mainstream parties to endorse abolition [7]. Smaller parties and outspoken figures can shift discourse and potentially influence future manifestos, especially if public sentiment continues to trend downward, but as of the latest reporting the only clear party-leader endorsement of abolition comes from the Green Party’s leader, Zack Polanski [1]. Observers should watch party conference votes, official manifesto updates, and further public-opinion polling for any shift from individual or media advocacy to formal party policy adoption; until then, the record shows rhetoric and media pressure rather than broad, formal party commitments [8] [9] [2].