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@scotsboyuk vs @bobafett - where brave knights meet politic, cultures and traditions |
scotsboyuk
Joined: Jun 02, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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@Patrick-in-CA
The House of Lords acts in a similar manner to the U.S. Supreme Court in that it can arbitrate on matters of law, which have public importance, thus a matter of law, which has been decided upon by a judge can be taken to the Law Lords who will have the ultimate say in it, of course this does not apply to European legislation; in such cases the European Court of Justice decides on the matter. In such ways the government can be made to back down if certain actions are declared illegal.
The Privy Council, like the House of Lords, has jurisdiction over the entire U.K. and is used a a final means of appeal in certain cases. The Privy Council also acts as a final court of appeal for some foriegn nations e.g. Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, St. Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Tuvalu, The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Kiribati and Mauritius.
Checks and balances are all very well, but the U.K. has functioned on tradition and what essentially amounts to trust for a very long time, I'm not too sure that people would want any other system here.
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"I may be drunk my dear woman, but in the morning I will be sober, and you will still be ugly." WSC
[ This Message was edited by: scotsboyuk on 2004-08-10 15:54 ] | |
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Patrick-in-CA
Joined: Jul 21, 2004
Posts: 0
From: Sourhern Oregon, USA
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Well - I know lots of people would like a change here ... LOL
But it is good to hear there is a system set up to over-rule the actions of Parliament if it oversteps its bounds. History and tradition are not to be taken lightly - they are observed here as well. Many of the written laws we follow do not cover every eventuality nor set every step of procedure - hence we have traditions on how things are run as well.
What serves you well is best ultimately I suppose. Us "Yanks" just seem to have a lot less trust in the "Fair Play" rule of the government and make assumptions that government is an institution of men - and men are not angles - so we keep checks on the power any one group can have.
Thanks for taking the time to read my post. |
scotsboyuk
Joined: Jun 02, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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The system we have here was founded on the basis that certain people were born to rule, although this has given way to a more democratic system the basic premise still remains in so far as the power invested in politicians is absolute; the ruling government can do whatever it wishes as long as it can get the Bill through parliament.
Incidentally a recent poll found that 10% of Americans think the U.S. would benefit from having a monarchy; it isn't too late to rejoin the fold! 
_________________
"I may be drunk my dear woman, but in the morning I will be sober, and you will still be ugly." WSC
[ This Message was edited by: scotsboyuk on 2004-08-10 15:55 ] |
Patrick-in-CA
Joined: Jul 21, 2004
Posts: 0
From: Sourhern Oregon, USA
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I'd love to ... just so long as I get to be the monarch.
Just kidding people!
Thanks for taking the time to read my post. |
batesie
Joined: Feb 13, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: London, UK
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god i remember this thread! patrick was being such an aR$e!
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vanquish
Joined: Mar 20, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Wor Newcastle Phone: V600i
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haha!
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Sammy_boy
Joined: Mar 31, 2004
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From: Staffordshire, United Kingdom
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Ahhh, the good old days! I remember this one too, think I contributed the odd bit too!
Any more old threads we can dig up?
"All it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke
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vanquish
Joined: Mar 20, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Wor Newcastle Phone: V600i
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a mixin and vlamm one 
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Posted: 2004-08-06 02:19
