Royalty

Shit, I am actually a fan of Elizabeth II

Arise Sir James of Dancing.

My main issue is with the insane amount of power held by the PM, who as Gordon Brown has shown doesn't even need to be elected.

That there is pretty much the only power that she theoretically still has.

If a chain of events occur in which a sitting government or prime minister has been subjected to a vote of no confidence, then the Queen is able by royal proclamation to dissolve parliament outside of the 5 year term in the Septennial Act. http://www.parliament.uk/about/how/elections-and-voting/general/dissolution/

Which makes it sound like there is a safety catch, someone watching the watchers. But it can only be triggered by the government or PM (obviously holding some majority to be in that position) being subjected to a Parliamentary vote of no confidence and then requesting that the Queen issue the proclamation. A government with no confidence is unlikely to ever admit that, they would just not vote itself out or make other choices (blame individuals and re-shuffle) to avoid the dissolution of parliament being called upon. Who the hell voluntarily gives up power?

In that respect the Queen is not someone watching the watchers, a last protector of the populace.... the PM and sitting government really do have absolute power. In effect, her limited power is nullified by the fact that those who would be subjected to it are also the ones who choose whether to trigger it.

I used to believe that this justified the presence of the Queen. In that I did want someone independent of the government to exist with the ability to hold them to account even via a nuclear option such as the dissolution of parliament. But if that wasn't exercised during the poll tax riots or the Iraq war demonstrations, then I don't see that it would be exercised at all.

I feel that most of the disenfranchisement of the populace can be traced back to the Iraq war demonstrations. When the voice of the people was basically ignored... we finally had proof that a government doesn't represent the people at all, and that what checks existed they wouldn't use on themselves... so why bother engaging in a system that will consciously ignore you when it matters (to them).

BTW, whatever your link was supposed to go to, the link is broken.

So, anyone going to watch the boats today?

Yeah we are heading down there despite this weather :(

I agree emphatically with that last paragraph by V.

More Liz memes please, just tucking into my third slice of special aldi tri-colour sponge cake for breakfast, coronary coronation full English next up,
Enjoy the holidays everyone!

Arise Sir James of Dancing.

Shit alias.

I am still going down. In my sandal heels and straw hat. And a waterproof jacket under my smart coat.

Lord I hope there is going to be shelter on the bridge.

Seems like mother nature is not a Royalist.

This thread is really boring. I'm gonna go and make a cup of tea.

Yeah we are heading down there despite this weather :(
which bridge are you heading for?

Just enjoying my Marmite on Toast with a cup of English Breakfast Teaa

I am still going down. In my sandal heels and straw hat. And a waterproof jacket under my smart coat.

Lord I hope there is going to be shelter on the bridge.

Seems like mother nature is not a Royalist.
Yay! Go Scoot. Have fun!

Sunny by lunchtime..........the weather forecast says.

which bridge are you heading for?

I think we will likely be somewhere near the National Theatre or one of those public buildings for nappie changing purposes etc. Just hoping the rain means there will be slightly less people.
Just putting the champagne in the fridge now :)
Sorry I missed your birthday drinks Alex, I did intend to come but I just had to get home. If you are around the area, look out for us

Just enjoying my Marmite on Toast with a cup of English Breakfast Teaa

This.

I KNEW I forgot to buy something yesterday! I shall go out and get some Marmite.

You should opt for Vegemite, Aussies after all had a referendum on the monarchy and choose to stay loyal to her maj.

So you're saying that's its a considered political choice NOT to turn their country into a republic? Well, I never... :-)

I wouldn't worry, as soon as Charles has the throne the Aussies will do the vote again and it will become a republic.

I don't think Charles is going to get much of a look-in. His reign may be the shortest ever, if he is given the job at all. I don't think the Queen trusts him to do a good job, whereas Wills might be better. I think Chuck just misses the point.

I think you're missing the point if you think the Queen has a say once she's dead.

Next in line gets the throne.

That's how the hereditary stuff works. Charles gets it, and what I said about government applies to royalty too... who gives power and position up voluntarily?

The only historical context for that, is that people do give it up only if they feel they are in mortal danger if they didn't. Self interest trumps everything. The only exceptions still follow the rule that self interest trumps all else.

Charles is next in line, and so will be King. Once Charles is King, he will be so until death.

That's how it works.

And whatever PR work has been done up util now Camilla will be Queen.

Yup.

Charles will be King (aged 80 or thereabouts if the Queen lasts as long as her mother).

And Camilla will be Queen. There is no legal or constitutional basis for her not being so, regardless of everything that has been said to date.

His reign may be the shortest ever,

Less than a few days? Wow, what's gonna happen?

He'll choke on a Duchy original oatcake.

so we get and king and a queen.

And he'll be called King George because King Charles is a type of mental dog.

I'd always assumed that his current wife was the dog.

Although I find it hard to be anything other than indifferent about the queen I do think it would be nice if she lasted long enough to break Victoria's record.

Charles won't reign for more than 20 or so years. But it will hardly be the shortest ever.