An end to Primogeniture ?

One interesting topic that will be discussed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government ( CHOGM ) meeting in Perth this month will be the proposal for Britain to end Primogeniture when it comes to succession to the British throne.

Under Primogeniture, if the first born of the Monarch is a girl, she will be replaced as first in line for the throne should a later male be born.  In this era of equal rights and women's liberation, such a law change is probably long overdue.

But - it also raises the matter of titled folk.   In this day and age, do we really need Barons, Earls, Dukes - and a whole raft of gentry whose titles just go rolling on from one generation to the next - forever ?

Australia's forefathers made a wise decision way back in 1788 when they resolved not to follow English custom and bestow hereditary honours here.   The best any Australian could hope for after a lifetime of public service was a knighthood - and that only lasted until the death of the person so honoured.

These English titles tend to have some very dodgy backgrounds.  Many date back to the constant civil wars that erupted centuries ago when pretenders tried to unseat the current king and ascend to the throne.   The wealthy landowners who took their retainers into battle to support the winner were rewarded with a title - and often with the lands and retainers of those who supported the losing side.

This seems to be a burr under the saddlecloth of most socialists.    The immensely wealthy titled elite of Britain got that way by picking the right side to support in a civil war,  and that wealth and title rolls on in this modern day and age.

The Queen supports the end of Primogeniture in deciding who ascends to the throne and it will most likely get the nod at CHOGM, but divesting titles and all that goes with them would be a complicated can of worms.
Very few new titles have been awarded in recent years - excepting the elevation of a commoner who recently married the heir apparent.   Britain has instead embraced honours that only remain in force during the lifetime of the recipient.

Presumably, if Primogeniture is abolished in regard to the throne, it will also be applied to all aspects of heraldry - and daughters will rank in equality with sons ?

Just imagine the consternation amongst the progeny of an ageing titled parent - now that the winds of change are blowing away a carefully orchestrated line of succession !