Amidst the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, D:BATE’s Event 02 will be on the topic of the Monarchy. Venue and speakers are all now confirmed and the ticketing is open (limited to 200 spaces).

The two teams of speakers will debate on the following motion:

‘Great party but the Monarchy is expensive, unaccountable and irrelevant. Britain needs a  democratic alternative’

Royalist or Republican, this promises to be a lively exchange of viewpoints and a stimulating evening all round. Confirmed speakers are as follows:

FOR the motion:

• Graham Smith; CEO of Republic
• Beatrix Campbell; Broadcaster, Author, Campaigner
• Councillor Sarah Bevan; BANES Liberal Democrat Councillor

AGAINST the motion:

• Jacques Arnold; Member of the Council of the Constitutional Monarchy Association, and former Member of Parliament.
• Peter Whittle; Broadcaster, Writer
• Ian Roberts, Vice Chairman British Monarchist League

This D:BATE event will be held at the Hilton Bath City Hotel. Doors open at 7pm for a prompt start at 7.30pm (event finishes at 9.30pm).

Dear Members 

We are fortunate that the benefits of a Constitutional Monarch are apparent and that Monarchism is undoubtedly the majority position in the United Kingdom today. Independent research clearly shows a preference for the retention of the Monarch as the head of state and the membership of the British Monarchist League can thus be seen to represent the voice of what is otherwise a silent majority in the UK. 

Despite our strong position, there remains an extremely vocal minority in the UK who oppose vehemently our constitution and way of life. It is our responsibility to meet this thread of republicanism where we find it, and to expose their potentially seductive arguments as being rooted in flawed ideology and based on dishonest distortions of the truth.  

As the incoming chairman of the British Monarchist League it is both a pleasure and an honour to have the opportunity to continue this important campaign to give the British people the information they need to make an informed choice about their support of monarchism and to stand strongly and proudly against republicanism. This is a monarchy which benefits us all and enriches the nation and the Commonwealth. It does not exist to serve a minority. 

The Next Twelve Months 

I salute our outgoing chairman James Edgecombe for his initiative in setting up the BML in 2010 and thank him for all his hard work since, providing a solid platform for Monarchism and Monarchists alike. While I thoroughly intend to continue this work, there remains much to be done, and I hope to lead the vanguard in this respect. I believe the League has a great deal of potential to move forwards in both recruiting more members, and engaging differently with them too. By introducing a new category of contributing membership, we can generate the resources we need to advocate Monarchy in the public arena. 

As the league takes on an increasingly active role, it will be important for our membership to become more visible and ‘in the public eye’. To this end over the coming months the BML shop will open its digital doors and a range of merchandise, from the more formal staples such as lapel badges and brooches to informal classics like rugby shirts and hoodies will be available for purchase.  

Finally, another area in which I think the league has considerable room for expansion is the social side. I am glad that there are already plans afoot for a BML gathering on the Jubilee weekend – watch this space! In addition, to help engage members throughout the country in what is essentially quite a London-Centric organisation, I will be looking to recruit a number of Regional Vice-Chairmen over the next couple of months, who will be responsible for membership drives and social events in their geographical areas.  If you feel you have the energy and drive to help Monarchy in your area, I hope you’ll want to volunteer your time. 

While you are for now my fellow members, I sincerely look forwards to greeting you as friends.  

Floreat Windsor and God Save the Queen. 

Oliver Lane 
Chairman 
British Monarchist League

Dear members,

I sincerely want to thank you for the opportunity and chance you have given me over the last two years.  It was a pleasure and honour to build the British Monarchist League into what it has become...so far. I feel it is important to mention that I have learned a lot during my time as Chairman. I founded the BML because I passionately believe in our greatest institution: The Monarchy.

I hope the BML will continue to grow, with strength and honour, in this Diamond Jubilee year. I feel I have gone as far as I possibly can in my role; therefore, I am writing this letter to formally announce that I will be stepping down as Chairman. However, I will continue to work for the BML in the capacity of Managing Director.

It has been a pleasure and honour to work as Chairman.  I have found it a positive, challenging experience that I will never forget. I would also like to personally thank everyone who has contributed to the BML through their hard work and dedication. I will be replaced in my role as Chairman by Oliver Lane, who I have chosen for this role because of his clear vision to take the BML forward in a new direction. I invite you all to welcome him warmly in to his new role. He will address the league tomorrow.

God Save The Queen!

Regards,

James Edgecombe Esq
Managing Director & Founder
British Monarchist League

We are delighted to announce our newest Honorary Member, Hugo Vickers. 

Hugo is a respected writer and broadcaster, who has written biographies of many twentieth century figures, including the Queen Mother, Gladys, Duchess of Marlborough, Cecil Beaton, Vivien Leigh, a study of Greta Garbo, Alice, Princess Andrew of Greece, and his book, The Private World of The Duke and Duchess of Windsor was illustrated with pictures from their own collection. Mr Vickers's book, The Kiss - The Story of an Obsession won the 1996 Stern Silver Pen Award for Non-Fiction. 

http://www.hugovickers.co.uk/