I did not realise that parliament could appoint bishops, surely in a republican system, secularism is the goal and parliament, or politics, should play no role in the appointment of clergy. I am aware that the UK is not a republic, and that the Queen is the head of the church as well as state, but surely it could just be gotten rid of and the church told to deal with it themselves.
Anyway, thanks for this diary. And, as you say, very interesting.
The next thing Brown will surprise us with is the introduction of proportional representation so that making the dissolution of parliament depend on the parliament itself is a meaningful reform (under the westminster system hung parliaments are the exception, whereas under PR goverments tend to be based on coalitions). Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?
whereas under PR governments tend to be based on coalitions
Which is what makes life up here in Scotland so much more interesting now that the SNP are in a "minority" government.
I suspect that I may have underestimated Brown just as much as I have underestimated Salmond.
If even half this stuff comes off, it will be an improvement IMO. That speech is a pretty wide ranging statement for constitutional advancement.
cam Freedom, Liberty, Equity and an Australian Republic
