Here's to 60 inglorious years of the Queen

Sunday, 03 June 2012 

Republicans across Britain are gearing up for what has been described as the "biggest anti-monarchy protest in living memory."

Events will take place across the country over the next four days in protest against the vainglorious jubilee celebrations with one of the largest demonstrations scheduled for Tower Bridge on Sunday.

Protesters will assemble near City Hall for what campaign group Republic has said will be a "loud, bold and provocative" demonstration in full view of the royal barge as the Queen and other royals disembark to watch the jubilee flotilla pass through Tower Bridge.

Earlier this month Republic published a new pamphlet 60 Inglorious Years which made the argument that the Queen's reign had been characterised by "personal enrichment, feeble leadership and an obstinate refusal to allow real scrutiny of her role."

Republic chief executive Graham Smith said: "The royals spend most of their lives shielded from criticism. This protest will give them a rare glimpse of the strength of republican sentiment in Britain today.

"The hereditary system is offensive to all the democratic values this country has fought for in the past. The jubilee represents a celebration of everything we, as republicans, oppose - it is our right and duty to challenge it and promote the alternative."

Peter Tatchell, who will be speaking at the protest, added: "Monarchy is incompatible with democracy.

"It's a relic from a bygone feudal, aristocratic age. In the 21st century, the British people should have the right to elect their head of state. It should not be imposed upon us."

Meanwhile health workers have reacted with anger over employers' refusal to pay them their full entitlement for working the two-day bank holiday.

Unite said that NHS employees at 113 trusts and boards were being denied full bank holiday pay or time off in lieu for working the government-imposed holiday.

It points out that many of these workers will be doubly out of pocket as childcare costs will increase over the period.

The union has published a list of the offending employers in a bid to name and shame them into honouring the nationally agreed Agenda for Change pay rates.

The Unite union head of health Rachael Maskell said: "This going to hit thousands of NHS staff who will be maintaining the smooth-running of the health service without any acknowledgement from their employers of this special day when millions of others will be enjoying the occasion.

"Those working on Tuesday will have to pay increased childcare costs - so this additional payment over the bank holiday is neither a recruitment-and-retention 'sweetener,' nor compensation for not being able to wave your union jack, but to compensate for the real additional costs for working that day."