...or at least have missed the point if so.

My issue is that it doesn't really matter whether we have an elected flunkie or a genetic flunkie as "head of state" when the power lies elsewhere and is far from democratic. Republicans, at least such as espoused in Tatchell's article, seem to think it will all be glorious if we just change the way we appoint a head of state. There are far more fundamental democratic defecits in the UK system to address first.

I'd be quite happy with the Swiss system where the nominal "head of state" rotates annually amongst the members of the Federal Council rather like ceremonial mayors are chosen in municipalities here.