Comments on: A couple of constitutional questions http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2008/03/06/a-couple-of-constitutional-questions/ Everyone has a right to my opinions Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:01:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Robert http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2008/03/06/a-couple-of-constitutional-questions/#comment-131620 Robert Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:04:40 +0000 http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2008/03/06/a-couple-of-constitutional-questions/#comment-131620 Hold on - voting with your conscience and 'democratic' are two very different things. While the former may be admirable, voting how you see fit with no accountability to the people who you are legislating over is in no way democratic. Hold on - voting with your conscience and ‘democratic’ are two very different things. While the former may be admirable, voting how you see fit with no accountability to the people who you are legislating over is in no way democratic.

]]> By: Political Dissuasion http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2008/03/06/a-couple-of-constitutional-questions/#comment-131617 Political Dissuasion Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:09:09 +0000 http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2008/03/06/a-couple-of-constitutional-questions/#comment-131617 I'm of the same view as you. Europhile, but appreciate there are a few things where if we worked together effectively (pah!), there's some issues we could really 'tackle'. I know this was covered ages ago and keeps coming up on any number of blogs every week, but I love this topic. Yes, they can, in effect block it, and Brown could use the Parliament Act if he wanted (and wanted to rile the public more than ever thought possible). Blair only used it once (to pass the fox-hunting ban becasue that's one that would never get through the Lords) and it would be a big move/mistake in my view. My worry though is if they block it, then the Govt will seek revenge (and future security and leverage) when it comes to reforming the House of Lords. To an extent, the House of Lords, in cases such as this, is more democratic than the Commons becasue they can vote on conscience and not fear party whips or losing their ministerial car. An odd an intriguing situation. I’m of the same view as you. Europhile, but appreciate there are a few things where if we worked together effectively (pah!), there’s some issues we could really ‘tackle’. I know this was covered ages ago and keeps coming up on any number of blogs every week, but I love this topic. Yes, they can, in effect block it, and Brown could use the Parliament Act if he wanted (and wanted to rile the public more than ever thought possible). Blair only used it once (to pass the fox-hunting ban becasue that’s one that would never get through the Lords) and it would be a big move/mistake in my view. My worry though is if they block it, then the Govt will seek revenge (and future security and leverage) when it comes to reforming the House of Lords. To an extent, the House of Lords, in cases such as this, is more democratic than the Commons becasue they can vote on conscience and not fear party whips or losing their ministerial car. An odd an intriguing situation.

]]> By: Robert http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2008/03/06/a-couple-of-constitutional-questions/#comment-131540 Robert Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:32:03 +0000 http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2008/03/06/a-couple-of-constitutional-questions/#comment-131540 Its the Parliament Act. However, as Cleanthes says in the earlier commentary linked above, its unlikely they would invoke it in this case due to the political fallout that would ensue. Its the Parliament Act. However, as Cleanthes says in the earlier commentary linked above, its unlikely they would invoke it in this case due to the political fallout that would ensue.

]]> By: Matt Munro http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2008/03/06/a-couple-of-constitutional-questions/#comment-131539 Matt Munro Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:28:11 +0000 http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2008/03/06/a-couple-of-constitutional-questions/#comment-131539 Not sure it's possible for them to block legislation. There's a special process the commons can invoke (the something act) which effectively steamrollers legislation through the Lords. The most the lords can legally do is delay legislation, thier official function is a "refining" body. Not sure it’s possible for them to block legislation. There’s a special process the commons can invoke (the something act) which effectively steamrollers legislation through the Lords. The most the lords can legally do is delay legislation, thier official function is a “refining” body.

]]> By: Cleanthes http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2008/03/06/a-couple-of-constitutional-questions/#comment-131524 Cleanthes Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:36:27 +0000 http://www.robertsharp.co.uk/2008/03/06/a-couple-of-constitutional-questions/#comment-131524 Pschaw: <a href="http://theselectsociety.com/blog/?p=247" rel="nofollow">we covered this</a> months ago. :-) All well? Pschaw: we covered this months ago.

:-)

All well?

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