A row broke out among Renfrewshire councillors as they debated the merits of the monarchy on the eve of King Charles III's Coronation.
A motion brought forward by Labour's Jamie McGuire sought to congratulate the 74-year-old ahead of the ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday at this week's full council meeting.
However, an amendment from the SNP's Jim Paterson – which said a referendum should be held on having an elected head of state "at the earliest opportunity" – received majority backing instead.
The outcome of a vote effectively reiterated a view which was reached last June as the subject was discussed following the late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee weekend earlier that month.
Councillor McGuire said on Thursday that he wished to extend "sincerest congratulations" to the King on the occasion of his Coronation.
He added: "We wish to express his admiration for his lifelong commitment to charitable causes and environmental conservation and his unwavering dedication to public service.
"We are confident his reign will be marked by wisdom, compassion and leadership."
The elected member for Renfrew North and Braehead was seconded by Labour group leader Iain McMillan.
Councillor McMillan, who represents Johnstone South and Elderslie, said: "I'm not naïve.
"I know this is a divisive subject, not just in this particular meeting but throughout the whole of Scotland and indeed part of the UK as well. I get it – not everybody's going to be universally supporting the Coronation.
"I know people will be avoiding it, people won't be watching it, people will be doing other things but I think it's right and proper that we, as a council, recognise the historical importance."
Councillor Paterson, who represents Renfrew South and Gallowhill, said: "For me it's a simple matter of democracy and I think it's about time the public had their say in whether they want to continue with an unelected head of state.
"I know how much the opposition are enjoying polls at the moment...but polls also show a long term decline in support for the monarchy, particularly among our young people who for good reason can see no connection or hold no affection to what is really an archaic and outdated institution."
SNP councillor Kenny MacLaren, who represents Paisley Northwest, seconded the amendment.
"I'm a democrat," he said. "I believe in democracy, as I would hope everyone else elected to this chamber believes. I cannot believe we are here in 2023 and this medieval throwback of a monarchy is still going on.
"There is nothing democratic about appointing your head of state due to an accident of birth. It's the very opposite of democracy and should have been abolished a long time ago."
Conservative group leader Neill Graham, who represents Paisley Northeast and Ralston, said he was "disappointed" by the amendment.
He added: "I realise not everyone is a monarchist or royalist in this chamber and across the UK, but this motion is simply congratulating King Charles III on his Coronation...I think it's pretty poor that we can't just congratulate the monarch."
A total of 22 members voted for Councillor Paterson's amendment, with 15 opting for Councillor McGuire's motion. Five councillors abstained – a group which included three Labour members.
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