Back in 2020, Lisa Nandy was pretty clear about where she stood on the Royal Family – if there were ever a vote to abolish the monarchy, she said she’d back it. But fast forward to today, and she’s completely changed her mind. Appearing on Good Morning Britain, the Culture Secretary admitted she’s done a full U-turn. When asked if her stance had shifted, she replied: “I have, actually, yeah.” And she didn’t shy away from explaining why.
Since stepping into government, Nandy said she’s had the chance to work closely with members of the Royal Family on issues that really matter – from knife crime to promoting British influence through the UK Soft Power Council. That real-world experience, it seems, has had a big impact on her, reported the Express.
“Yes, I have changed my mind about that,” she said. “I think, in principle, I believe that people should have the power to decide who rules them. But I think the monarchy under the Queen and under this current King commands strong public support.”
She went on to say that in today’s turbulent world, the Royals actually offer something valuable. “I think right now, if you look at the turmoil going on in the world, then we do need a royal family who are able to help us to deliver the benefits to Britain.”
It’s a pretty big turnaround from her comments during the 2020 Labour leadership race. Back then, in a live TV debate on Channel 4, Nandy declared: “I’m a democrat, so I would vote to scrap it, but actually this is not the priority as a country.”
Her latest comments show a more pragmatic tone – and she’s not pretending otherwise. “I’m not afraid to say when I change my mind and I have changed my mind about that,” she said, making it clear this wasn’t just a convenient shift, but one that’s come from seeing the impact of the Royal Family up close.
Her new stance is likely to spark debate, especially among Labour supporters who’ve long questioned the role of the monarchy in modern Britain. But Nandy’s not trying to dodge the controversy. She’s owning the change, and for now at least, she’s backing the Royals.
