Posted on 07/03/2007 3:47:49 PM PDT by bnelson44
With British confidence in their leaders at a low ebb, new Prime Minister Gordon Brown assumed office last week pledging to undertake measures designed to restore public trust in the government. Following through on his promise, Brown presented a new plan Tuesday that would dramatically revise the Constitutional powers of the British government, with an eye to strengthening the checks and balances.
In his first statement to the House of Commons since assuming power last week, Brown said he would surrender to Parliament 12 powers traditionally reserved for the prime minister under the "Royal prerogative," including the power to declare war, along with the power to dissolve the House, and the right to appoint judges and bishops.
"I now propose to surrender or limit these powers to make for a more open 21st century British democracy which better serves the British people," he told MPs, to loud Labour cheers.
(Excerpt) Read more at iraqslogger.com ...
Gordon Brown outlines plans for U.K
Tuesday 3rd July, 2007
British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has proposed many changes in the way the U.K is governed.
The sweeping reforms include a written constitution and more checks and balances on going to war.
In the British parliament, Mr Brown, who succeeded Tony Blair last week, vowed a new government with new priorities, and made his recommendations for improving the democratic process.
It is his proposal for a British bill of rights that is likely to generate the most debate in the next weeks.
Britain’s constitution as it stands, consists of written legal precedents, international treaties, parliamentary conventions and royal prerogatives.
Mr Brown spoke of laws to make those in power more accountable, with a recommendation to renounce prime ministerial power to declare war without parliamentary consent. He said, such authority has no place in a modern democracy.
He also proposed the creation of a new National Security Council bringing together domestic and overseas security with development and community relations. It would help, he said, to co-ordinate military, policing, intelligence and diplomatic action and also to win hearts and minds.
He also outlined proposals to lower the voting age from 18 to 16.
http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/261828/cs/1/
Lol!
LOL
Translation: “Here, you fellows do the heavy lifting...I’m going to a tea party.”
IMHO making the QUEEN the absolute ruler is a better idea than giving Parliament that much power!!
Now they got a PM that Islam's bitch
Well he some kind of "head"
This is a very dangerous situation for UK to find itself.
Why was Tony Blair so loyal to President Bush???
I believe that he has learned some terrible secrets about the terrorists that GWB told us we would never learn about because of not compromising the nature of our national security. I believe Gordon Brown soon will learn that too and make a 180 turn when he gets settled at Downing 10!!!
He’s institutionalizing a state of perpetual impotence wherein the British government and its leaders will be unable to effectively defend their country or their people.
Want the simple answer?
An end.
They should go to the tomb of Edward I, “Longshanks”, dig up his corpse, put it in the Prime Minister’s seat and kick out Brown. Even dead and mouldering, he is still more of a man than any of the current crop of British leaders, and more than a great many modern Britons.
Mr. Brown appears to be incredibly stupid and unprepared to lead, not to mention he doesn’t want to have to do too much for his paycheck. He doesn’t seem to understand what “Prime” means in Prime Minister.
So, he has essentially dissolved the office of the Prime Minister. Odd for someone who wanted this job his whole life. (Maybe that was his plan.)
It all makes you choke. My God what are these people doing???????
“The Congress shall have power
To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;
To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years;
To provide and maintain a navy;
To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces;
To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions”
Interesting that Gordon Brown is effectively borrowing an American idea with these proposals and yet so many people here think it will be a disastrous move. Are you all similarly opposed to the above clauses in your own Constitution?
Are you calling brownie a cowering dog? If so... well done!
LLS
I think some us are questioning the wisdom of such a “borrowing”(as you put it) in a time of unprecedented terror threat when a strong hand may be needed. The war making powers enumerated in our constitution have been an organic part of our government since its birth and we have a better sense of the check and balances governing our selves.
To suddenly thrust that kind of power onto a legislative body (Lords and Commons) which is not known for nimble response to complex social issues, is to invite socio-political paralysis at a time when flexible police/military responses may be needed.
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