Whatever your opinion on the sorry state that MPs have got themselves into recently, whether you think MPs should be paid more or should be locked up for stealing the taxpayers money to clean moats and change light bulbs, I think it is pretty clear that Parliament, Government and politicians across the board are not very popular people at the moment. On the tube this morning, a thought occurred to me, and I just know there will be plenty of people out there on the blawgosphere that will be able to explain to me that this particular thought is unrealistic and ill-informed and generally a stupid idea, but I've been mulling it over in my head, and out loud in the office it has to be said, and if nothing else, I think it would be an awesome thing to see happen, even if the consequences might be a bit drastic....
As loathe as I am to admit it, I can't help thinking that David Cameron is right, and that without calling a general election asap public confidence in the political classes will never be restored. But its also pretty clear that Gordon Brown would be an absolute idiot to call an election right now. Even if he has any illusions about a return to favour for Labour in the next 12 months, he can't possibly believe he has a chance right now. So, this morning's dilemma was whether it was right that "we the people" are unable to throw our dummies out of the pram, sack the lot of them and try and start again with a fresh election. Surely, IF public opinion was so low that we did not want to be led by this group of people, the fact that we are led by them and can't do anything about it until they say so is totally against the spirit of democracy?
This led me onto my exciting train of thought which Lovely Boy told me to share with the world. So if you object to it, you can verbally abuse him rather than me ok?!........
What if the Queen, fed up with the lot of them and in recognition of the will of her people to not be led by this parliament, were to pop over to Westminster Palace, knock on the door so she isn't breaking any rules, glide into the House of Commons and just pick up the Mace, walk out again and announce a General Election at the earliest opportunity? In public law, our lecturer constantly stressed to us that the Queen does still have Sovereign status, and that basically this was because everybody is far too polite and non-confrontational to take it away from her. But in my mind, I've always chosen to see her role as an insurance policy against corruption and fascism, and Parliament are an insurance policy against absolutism and guardians of democracy because if she did anything untoward, they have the status of elected representatives of the people, and she shouldn't mess with that if she wants to keep her pretty crowns, dresses and face on our money. However, if the situation were so bad that it was clear the public did not want to be led by this parliament, wouldn't that therefore mean it is her right, if not her duty, to dissolve them and call for a fresh election?
Hundreds of arguments for and against, I know, but still, is this even technically possible? I can't help thinking that if it isn't, what system do we have in place that would force an election, if the majority party leader wont call one? I'm not suggesting that the current situation is anywhere near this serious, but I do very much like the idea of Her Majesty, tiny old lady that she is, giving them all a good telling off and sacking them for the good of the country. Monarchy doesn't really suit my personal left wing view of the world, but if you're going to have a Monarch, then you may as well do it properly, and see them flex their political muscles once in a while. Something to tell the Grand kids about at least, and considering her Great Great Grandmother was an Empress, surely she must have a bit of a yearning to do something impressive before she's done?
As loathe as I am to admit it, I can't help thinking that David Cameron is right, and that without calling a general election asap public confidence in the political classes will never be restored. But its also pretty clear that Gordon Brown would be an absolute idiot to call an election right now. Even if he has any illusions about a return to favour for Labour in the next 12 months, he can't possibly believe he has a chance right now. So, this morning's dilemma was whether it was right that "we the people" are unable to throw our dummies out of the pram, sack the lot of them and try and start again with a fresh election. Surely, IF public opinion was so low that we did not want to be led by this group of people, the fact that we are led by them and can't do anything about it until they say so is totally against the spirit of democracy?
This led me onto my exciting train of thought which Lovely Boy told me to share with the world. So if you object to it, you can verbally abuse him rather than me ok?!........
What if the Queen, fed up with the lot of them and in recognition of the will of her people to not be led by this parliament, were to pop over to Westminster Palace, knock on the door so she isn't breaking any rules, glide into the House of Commons and just pick up the Mace, walk out again and announce a General Election at the earliest opportunity? In public law, our lecturer constantly stressed to us that the Queen does still have Sovereign status, and that basically this was because everybody is far too polite and non-confrontational to take it away from her. But in my mind, I've always chosen to see her role as an insurance policy against corruption and fascism, and Parliament are an insurance policy against absolutism and guardians of democracy because if she did anything untoward, they have the status of elected representatives of the people, and she shouldn't mess with that if she wants to keep her pretty crowns, dresses and face on our money. However, if the situation were so bad that it was clear the public did not want to be led by this parliament, wouldn't that therefore mean it is her right, if not her duty, to dissolve them and call for a fresh election?
Hundreds of arguments for and against, I know, but still, is this even technically possible? I can't help thinking that if it isn't, what system do we have in place that would force an election, if the majority party leader wont call one? I'm not suggesting that the current situation is anywhere near this serious, but I do very much like the idea of Her Majesty, tiny old lady that she is, giving them all a good telling off and sacking them for the good of the country. Monarchy doesn't really suit my personal left wing view of the world, but if you're going to have a Monarch, then you may as well do it properly, and see them flex their political muscles once in a while. Something to tell the Grand kids about at least, and considering her Great Great Grandmother was an Empress, surely she must have a bit of a yearning to do something impressive before she's done?
OOO, The Queen doing a Tarzan with the Mace!!! What Jolly Fun! Lord Laws ( who thinks that practically EVERYTHING is a Constitutional Crisis of EPIC proportions) would probably turn PURPLE, and then faint!!!!!
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