UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to step down

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

It just seems to correlate more. And I don't really like that which party is involved having much to do with it. That's what totalitarianists do. Combine offices and such.

Speaker is only in charge of one house, not of the government as a whole. President is nominally at least head of government but if he does not have a majority in the house/senate then he's not necessarily making policy either. Unlike the PM who is only the PM as long as his party is in the majority. So yes in some ways it works and some it doesn't. I just don't think it'd be as interesting to have Congress talking amongst themselves.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

It just seems to correlate more. And I don't really like that which party is involved having much to do with it. That's what totalitarianists do. Combine offices and such.

Well the Westminster system is a pretty unique one. It evolved from an absolute monarchy, which would be a totalitarian regime, but with a democracy taking place over the centuries. Strictly speaking it is still an absolute monarchy in fact. Acts of Parliament can't pass without the approval of all three parts, including the Crown. And the cabinet are strictly speaking advisers to the Crown.

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Speaker is only in charge of one house, not of the government as a whole. President is nominally at least head of government but if he does not have a majority in the house/senate then he's not necessarily making policy either. Unlike the PM who is only the PM as long as his party is in the majority. So yes in some ways it works and some it doesn't. I just don't think it'd be as interesting to have Congress talking amongst themselves.

Yeah Official Questions just would not work here. However maybe it would work if during the State of the Union address or another joint session questions were asked of the big 3. And to pick a nit, the PM is PM as long as he supports a majority, doesn't have to be just his party as the current situation shows. Also there is no legal requirement for that, as the Queen still has the right to appoint whoever she wishes.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I caught MysticCat in a typo!

Friday was definitely the day I didn't get enough caffeine.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Well the Westminster system is a pretty unique one. It evolved from an absolute monarchy, which would be a totalitarian regime, but with a democracy taking place over the centuries. Strictly speaking it is still an absolute monarchy in fact. Acts of Parliament can't pass without the approval of all three parts, including the Crown. And the cabinet are strictly speaking advisers to the Crown.

Yeah Official Questions just would not work here. However maybe it would work if during the State of the Union address or another joint session questions were asked of the big 3. And to pick a nit, the PM is PM as long as he supports a majority, doesn't have to be just his party as the current situation shows. Also there is no legal requirement for that, as the Queen still has the right to appoint whoever she wishes.

Ah yes that makes sense, it's just 'what is done' so to speak. I suspect that will continue until/if the Queen/King says "screw you I like Joe" (Though I'm sure it would be said very regally) and then they'll change things

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Friday was definitely the day I didn't get enough caffeine.

Hee.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

Ah yes that makes sense, it's just 'what is done' so to speak. I suspect that will continue until/if the Queen/King says "screw you I like Joe" (Though I'm sure it would be said very regally) and then they'll change things

Well while she does have the right, doing so would violate decades if not centuries of tradition. So while legally she does have the ability, in reality she can't exercise it.