The Constitution.
Both in my book, in this blog and in a separate campaign, most of which through lack of media interest goes on behind the scenes, I have pressed for a clearer understanding of our Constitution and ultimately one which is written down. Some controversey is now breaking out over the coalition proposal to introduce a 55% rule to dissolve parliament.
Parliament has no power to dissolve itself, by whatever method or vote. The plain fact of the matter is this country is presently structured as a monarchy with absolute power. That power is then delegated to the monarch’s government. The government must have the backing of parliament, either because it has a majority, or because the majority allows it to govern. It has become customary for the Queen and her modern predecessors to grant a Prime Minister’s request for dissolution. This is made either if the government loses a vote of confidence or if the government sees potential electoral advantage in going to the country for a new mandate.
The introduction of fixed term parliaments, as opposed to the current arrangement of parliaments with a maximum term, creates a situation where governments can change without a dissolution. This means that a loss of a confidence vote by one party or coalition of parties, would not cause the Queen to summon a new parliament, merely to summon a different member of parliament who could command a majority, to form a new government. This government would serve only until the end of the fixed term.
In present circumstances it is possible to envisage a situation where over the first two years or so with a raft of very unpoular measures arising from the extremity of the economic crisis, ten bye-elections occur in which Labour gains all the seats from the Tories. Labour would be then be able, in coalition with the Lib Dems, the SDLP and the Alliance to have a majority and form a government. This would require the Lib Dems to change sides, unlikely now, but possible in theory. This provides the tension and drives up the standards of government, again in theory, of mixed party government. Willi Brandt’s first Social Democrat government in West Germany came to power when the Free Democrats, in coalition with the Christian Democrats, changed sides.
With a fixed term parliament, the question arises as to whether it should have the power to dissolve itself at all. I am not sure it should. If it did the mechanism has to be some sort of vote that requires the prime minister and the government to resign and go to the Queen for dissolution. The government itself should fall on a simple majority of one vote. If Parliament is to deny itself the right to form another government, there surely has to be a sizable majority of turkeys voting for Christmas. The Coalition proposes 55%. It is a good point. It may not get through. It is doubtful whether it would be Constitutional anyway. Maybe the answer is to have a fixed term parliament without the provision of self dissolution. After all, in law, the Queen has the right and the power to dissolve parliament whenever the fancy takes her.
Hitherto she and her forbears have done this only when her Prime Minister has requested this.The time has perhaps come to end that arrangement altogether. If the power of self dissolution is given to parliament it may be wiser to go with the arrangement for keeping parliament sitting, as in 1940, when the general election was postponed until the end of the war in 1945. For Parliament to extend itself, a clear majority is required in both Houses, Commons and Lords. It would be neat to have the same provision to end itself.
In practice the two party system creates a kind of tribalism which drifts far from the needs of good government and the aspirations of the governed. Once there are more than two parties in play, loyalty is driven much more by objectives and outcomes. This is a more vibrant model of democracy and engages the participation of the governed in a more specific way which is much more judgemental of the politicians themselves. Politicians will not like it, because they will be judged on what they do, more than what they are.
Our Constitution is flexible enough to cope with this, largely because so long as the Queen agrees, it can do almost anything, and she will agree if parliament approves. Missing from this equation are the people. They have no clear protection of their democratic rights nor any clear definition of what they are. All they have is a franchise of who can vote and a maximum length of time between being given those opportunities. This is why we need Constitutional, Political and Electoral reform. The responsibility to oversee this has been given to the Deputy Prime Minister. Nick Clegg has a lot to do.
I just have high hopes this doesn’t seem a mindless question. Nevertheless after reading your content I’m somewhat lost. Just what were you looking to communicate the following with this??
Very good post. I have really enjoyed visiting your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and i also hope you write again soon! Thanks a lot, I’ll try and come back more often. Happy new year!
That’s excellent and very nicely written. Usually I tend not to make comments on the web, However , I have got to congratulate you on this one. Awesome site
Have a excellent day!. Your blog has been the highlight of my day Breast Enhancement pills
Recommendable post. I learn new things on different blogs everyday. It usually is stimulating to enjoy a book content from other writers and learn a little something from them. I’d like to use some in this content on my blog if you can not mind. Natually I’ll construct a link oh no- yuor web blog. Appreciate you sharing.
I didn’t understand the concluding part of your article, could you please explain it more?
Superb posting we have to spread the word about this site.You should have more attention .
There are some interesting points in that clause but I don’t know if I see all of them middle to center . There is some validity but I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good clause, thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner too. colon cleanse
I cant get your rss button, how can i sign up with it?
Interesting blog, keep up the good work mate!
Excellent brief and this article helped me alot. Say thank you I looking for your information….
Hey, I just noticed your RSS feed isn’t loading correctly, Thought I ought to inform you.
I’m amazed of quality your blog has, kepp writing interesting articles
My partner and i have to declare, while searching through loads of websites every week, your style of one’s weblog is distinguishable (for all you correct motives). Unless you mind myself wondering, exactly what is the identify of the design as well as can it be a tailor made affair? It’s a lot better than your styles I take advantage of for a lot of involving my personal sites ;:)
Facebook is suddenly a lot greater at recommending friends–even superior than Twitter
Couldn’t be written any better. Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
Hi! Your article rocks and is really a very good understand!…
Educational post, this is. It is definitely great to find a article that is helpful.
I’d be inclined to make a deal with you one this subject. Which is not something I typically do! I really like reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
I wanted to say thanks to you for this excellent read!! I have you bookmarked to view fresh stuff you post.
That is some inspirational stuff. Never knew that opinions could be this varied. Thanks for all the enthusiasm to offer such helpful information here.
Ti serve scaricare musica gratis in maniera legale su internet?!
Thanks for taking the time to share this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you gain knowledge, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.
I like this web site very much, Its a rattling nice office to read and obtain information.
I’d personally have posted “Great blog! wonderful posts!” then I’d be spamming your web page.
I still good work-bookmark the site.
The time and hard work put into this is very remarkable. This is a very educational blog. Good luck on the upcoming entry you put into it.
Dies ist ein super blog.i Liebe kommenden editieren, Inhalte ist gross.
In many cases, good work.i ‘ Please specify the return value LL. Posts. Awsome I love your resources.
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it.I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
Gracias por la info.You son muy
I just had to take a second to thank you for sharing this with us. As a commonstandard individual I’ve really loved the brilliant insights and information obtained from reading your blog. I hope you can continue to develop a intelligent community here as I will be checking back often!
I’d personally have posted “Great blog! wonderful posts!” then I’d be spamming your web page.
I read some thing comparable to this post via google news… I became interested and then started looking around, and landed at this site… in any case, I think that I mostly agree with what you discuss here. But I am going to go see what else I can lookup too.
I read some thing comparable to this post via google news… I became interested and then started looking around, and landed at this site… in any case, I think that I mostly agree with what you discuss here. But I am going to go see what else I can lookup too.
Thanks for the great post. I’ll be sticking around to hear more from you guys so thanks a lot.
I attempted to submit a comment previously, but it hasn’t shown up. I feel your spam filtering may be damaged
I tried to submit a remark before, but it hasn’t shown up. I think the spam filtering could be broken?
If you have come to this particular factor and think about, Oh Impossible! I bust all those policy and then several, This does not imply the situation becomes hopeless – Thumbs-down! Yopu must have a bit more guide to sort things, although you ve still got a vast gamble to show this example around. In case you are solely a little tentative ways to proceed with here, what is actually one of the best way to receive your ex previously I would really notify you to get among the high quality “become your old flame boyfriend returned” constructions that are available online.
Thanks a lot for a quite clear and beneficial posting. I’m positively a violator of lots of these rules. I sometimes notice personally conflicted when creating a weblog posting because I see by myself creating greater than individuals prefer to read, but I truly feel that I have to do the subject matter justice by thoroughly masking it. I believe that by subsequent a number of these procedures I conclude up reducing out very important aspects on the discussion. I guess you’ve got to obtain a balance.
Hello everybody! 🙂 I am thinking if somebody can support me out! Basically I would like to watch this specific webpage at my brand new iPad, however it doesn’t present up appropriately, So I used to be pondering if an individual can propose me any optimum option? I don’t know but really should I strive and locate out an update for my computer software system or anything else? I know that is some thing kinda off the subject, but please replace me and thank you in advance for the enable! Sophie 🙂
Took me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be Very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here! It’s always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained!
Finding websites with as much information as this one is always a pleasure I wll be sure to come back and visit again real soon, keep up the good work.
Hi! Is it alright that I go a bit off subject? I’m making an effort to look at your blog post on my ipad tablet but it doesn’t display correctly, do you have any advice? Thank you. My best wishes, Caitlin.
My brother and I were debating this particular subject, he is normally looking to prove me wrong. Your view on this is fantastic and exactly how I truly think. I just now sent him this page to demonstrate him your own view. After looking over your website I book marked and will come back to learn your new posts!
This is definitely wonderful. I’m perched here in my own hotel room in Killarney examining some of these responses. Numerous are great and several do not make a lot of real sense by any means. I’m just on vacation yet , I simply was not able to help myself from taking a look around this site although my hotel room here in Killarney bills on-line usage allowance by the hour.cheap hotels in killarney city centre,5 star hotels in killarney
Not long ago, I didn’t give a lot of thought to leaving responses on site page posts and have positioned feedback even less. Reading by way of your enjoyable posting, will help me to do so sometimes.
Its Pleasure to read your blog.The above content articles is rather remarkable, and I actually enjoyed peeing movies reading your blog and points that you expressed. I love to come back over a normal basis,post extra around the topic.Thanks for sharing…keep writing!!!
Things you brought up a lot of. Nonetheless, think about this, let’s suppose you integrated more of content? What i’m saying is, I do not tend to teach the way to write your blog, however what if you added extra content which can certainly grab people’s attention? Just as a video clip or simply a image or perhaps few for getting your readers excited regarding what you are talking about.
I have wanted to post something like this on my blog and this gave me an idea. TY.
Recently, I didn’t give a lot of thought to leaving feedback on site page posts and have positioned responses even less. Reading through by way of your nice article, will help me to do so sometimes.
This blog is very good and informative. It is difficult task but your post and experience serve and teach me how to handle and make it more effective and manageable.Thanks for the tips. Today I am furtunate and I find a lot of nice posts.
I didn’t understand the concluding part of your article, could you please explain it more?
Thank you, nice job! Just what I had to have.
If at first you don’t succeed, find out if the loser gets anything.
I have been here before yet this is just about the best blog posts yet. keep writing!
When I read about this, it usually is exactly the same. At long last somebody has presented a different and significant opinion.
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this post. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to start my own BlogEngine blog now.
Do you understand that this is high time to get the home loans, which can realize your dreams.
Hello! 🙂 Is it Ok if I ask a thing kinda off subject? I’m looking to view this web page on my new iPad nevertheless it won’t indicate up appropriately, do you’ve any remedies? Should I attempt and discover an update for my software package or something? Thanks upfront! Jennine x 🙂
Useful post can i have your permision to translate into Spanish for my blogs visitors? Thanks
In England every man you meet is some man’s son in America, he may be some man’s father.
Hei, admin, I find that your site does not work fine, I use IE 6.0.
Couldn’t be written any better. Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
Hey – nice blog, just looking around some blogs, seems a pretty nice platform you are using. I’m currently using WordPress for a few of my sites but looking to change one of them over to a platform similar to yours as a trial run. Anything in particular you would recommend about it?
You may have not intended to do so, but I think you have managed to express the state of mind that a lot of people are in. The sense of wanting to help, but not knowing how or where, is something a lot of us are going through.
Good job! what a great post!
Interesting and really real true. Bookmarked.
Hi there may possibly I reference some from the insight below in this blog if I reference you having a link back again in your website?…
You post great articles. Bookmarked !
Hey there its just me for a second time basically said I ought to return back again and view the way in which the discussion was basically heading.
With thanks for this suggestions excellent examine; this will be the type of consideration that holds me although out the day.I’ve permanently lengthy been wanting close to for your web-site best suited just after I observed about these from a near companion and was content when I was inside a placement to unearth it precise as a result of trying out for a while. Becoming a skilled blogger, I’m grateful to uncover out other people taking gumption and adding in the direction of the neighborhood. I just desired to look at to show my love on your publish as it is somewhat pushing, and tons of world wide web writers will not get the credit they must have. I’m good I’ll be back and will send out a handful of of my colleagues.
This is exactly what I used to be in search of. Very much appreciated.
Awesome piece we need to spread the word about this website.You need to have extra recognition .
thanks for the post. I am very happy to read this post. . . . .
Hello! 🙂 Is it Okay if I ask some thing kinda off subject? I’m attempting to view this page on my new iPad however it won’t display up correctly, do you have any options? Really should I try and locate an update for my software package or anything? Thanks in advance! Jennine x 🙂
Thanks for carrying this really helpful info; I happened to get to your web log just searching around the net. Please keep up the great work!
wAw, this was a truly amazing post. on theory I’d likes how to write liking this and so – taking time as well as real effort To make a great content… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot as well as Don’t seem how to get something done.sory my english bad i am an cines
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was pretty good. Cheers!
Ain’t the very first commenter speaking the real truth or what??
I would just like to let u know how much I learn from your website Bookmarked it.Hope 2 be back in the near future for some more good stuff
This site appears to recieve a great deal of visitors. How do you get traffic to it? It offers a nice unique spin on things. I guess having something authentic or substantial to talk about is the most important factor.
I have to state, you picked ur words pretty well. The info you presented are well placed.
Dear friend. I seriously like your article as well as your internet site all in all! The write-up is actually extremely plainly written and also very easily understandable. Your Blog theme is awesome as well! Would be great to know exactly where My partner and i are able obtain it. Please hold up the excellent job. We all require a lot more such website owners like you online and much less spammers. Great friend!
Hello, dear sir, fantastic site!. Unfortunately Your Blog Has a RSS feed that seem to work ineffectually. thought i should let you know so you can fix it Thanks
I have read some reviews in your site now. And I like your style of blogging. I added it to one of my bookmarks and will also be coming back shortly. Please visit my site as well and let me know what you think about it.
I’ve seen many web pages and I can certainly say that this one is my favorite.
Hi! I found your blog on Yahoo.It’s really comprehensive and it helped me a lot.
Continue the good work!
nice post! thanks a lot!
Hey – great blog, just looking around some blogs, seems a really nice platform you are using. I’m currently using WordPress for a few of my blogs but looking to change one of them over to a platform similar to yours as a trial run. Anything in particular you would recommend about it?
That was interesting . I love your finesse that you put into your post . Please do continue with more similar to this.
Substantially, the post is really the freshest on this notable topic. I fit in with your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your upcoming updates. I want to say thanks will not just be adequate, for the great clarity in your documentation. I will right away grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. Gratifying work and much success in your business dealings!
Nice one, there is actually some good points on this blog some of my readers may find this useful, I must send a link, many thanks.
have already been visiting ur website around several days. really enjoy what you posted. btw i will be conducting a study concerning this area. do you happen to know any good sites or maybe forums that I can get more information? many thanks.
Aw, this is a really quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this too – taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get anything done
This is the first site I read on my new Droid. I signed up to the rss feed.
Hi friend. I really just like that article and the site all in all! Your post is actually quite clearly created and simply understandable. Your WP theme is amazing as well! Would definitely be awesome to know exactly where My partner and i are able obtain this. Be sure to hold up the excellent work. We need even more this sort of web owners like you on the web and also much fewer spammers. Wonderful man!
Reading these have given me a larger outlook on the matter. I hope there is more to come. Many thanks dear author.
Thanks for a awesome post and interesting comments. I found this post while surfing for some lyrics. Thanks for sharing this article.