[mike777]

helene_t, on Mar 10 2007, 11:31 AM, said:

As I understand it, the new second chamber will be elected through multiple-delegates districts as opposed to the single-delegate districts used for the House of Commons. This is a move towards real democracy.

It would have been better, IMHO, to get rid of the Lords altogether and introduce proportional representation for the Commons. But you can't have it all.

I fail to understand how anybody can defend the existing system. I hope they are joking. Yes, democracy sucks, but all alternatives that have been tried out so far suck more.

IMHO if you are going to have Kings, Queens, Emperors, Lords, Khans or Caliphs they should have real power. Why let the commoners run things and give these gals or guys nothing to do all day?

[the hog]

Oh for Heaven's sake Mike, there are times when you really do come out with some silly comments. The Queen is the Head of State. She represents GB abroad. Her schedule is actually extremely full. Also most members of the royal family do a lot of work - charity etc. Yes there are some bludgers, but in general they work hard. And btw I am NOT a supporter of royalty.

[mike777]

Heck Hog all I said was give them real power, I did not take a swipe at your Queen. Read what I wrote please not what you think I wrote.

[the hog]

Mike, they are not MY Royals, far from it. A lot of Aussies would much rather have a Republic. Sorry if you took umbrage. But you did say they have "nothing to do all day". That isn't correct for the vast majority of them.

The do have "real" power. Being head of state and representing your country abroad is real power to say the least. Giving them political power is fraught with danger.

In Australia the Governor general is the Queen's representative. You would no doubt not be aware of Aust's constitutional crisis in 1975. Suffice to say an elected Govt was dismissed by the Gov. General on political grounds and a caretaker Prime minister was installed, (from the opposite party). This event changed Australia's history and the ramifications are still felt today. No one wants a repeat of this.

[mycroft]

Hog:

You'd think they'd learn from their compatriots (although to be fair, your GG seems to have done the opposite of ours).

Look for "King-Byng Wing-Ding" (if necessary, the "King-Byng Affair") for Canada's 1926 equivalent.

Michael.

[GeeGee]

Just heard that a junior minister, Lord somebody-or-other, has proposed moving the House of Lords to Manchester.

State opening of Parliament could be fun. Queen's coach uses the toll road part of the M6? Black Rod has a pretty long walk before he bangs on the door of the Commons.

Geoff