|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:00 am
In yesterday's paper (The Press-Enterprise out of Riverside, California), sandwiched in between Japan's denial that women were used as sex slaves during WWII and a bit about a local man who'd been tied up behind a car and dragged to death was a story that surprised the hell out of me -- Britain's House of Lords is to become an elected body.
Naturally, the article did not answer the questions that immediately came, but it did say that they have to draw up and debate on measures and such, and that it could take months. Until now, the House of Lords has been comprised of men who (if I understand it correctly) have been granted a title by the monarch at some point in history... a lord or earl or what have you. What I'm wondering is what this means for the future of England's nobility; is this a step toward abolishing it completely? And will it still be called the House of Lords if members are not necessarily lords? Or will the elected men all be from among the nobility?
Unfortunately I'm not that well-versed in the workings of Britain's government, though I do know that the House of Lords cannot actually overrule any decisions made by the House of Commons, so they're rather more of an ornament, or at least it seems that way. And for the love of dog, what is the legislative role, if any, of the ruling monarch???
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:21 pm
Luckily for me, my mother just got back recently from a three-week visit to the British Isles, and I'm visiting with her this weekend. She's taking a politics class (about which we argue incessantly, of course), so she should be able to help me where I falter. Look for another reply tomorrow.
Wikipedia lists the United Kingdom's system of government as a constitutional monarchy. This is essentially false, as the monarch has little, if any, power. As far as I am aware, HM Queen Elizabeth II has the power to allow Parliament to convene, and to sign Acts of Parliament, and no more, which is actually less power than the President of the United States has. (Theoretically, all Acts of Parliament are carried out in the monarch's name, but let's attempt to be serious about this.)
Wikipedia also confirms that the House of Lords will be replaced by a body that will be at least 80% elected, and possibly 100%.
From what I'm reading, initially, the House of Lords was entirely from the nobility, and from its inception until the 19th century was the more powerful of the two houses. However, since 1911, the House has had no real power.
So you pretty much nailed it spot-on. The House of Lords is nothing more than a nod to the nobility, Her Majesty has about zip in terms of power, and this vote just leads me to believe that the UK is moving towards the oligarchic state that exists here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
