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The Omen

Time for a Republic | 29.11.2008 14:59

The potentially sinister developments concerning the arrest of MP Damian Green have highlighted the precarious nature of the democracy to which we are subject. Now might be the best time to move forward.

*For a republic. Whatever benefits the botched settlements of the 1600 s onwards, its time to look afresh at the brief decade when a republic was established, to lrean from its mistakes and build on its successes.

*For Citizenry. To continue in the status of subjects is simply not a practical or desirable option in the present age (or any other for that matter)

*Sovereignty of Parliament. The House of Commons has proved itself inadequate to defend itself against the sea of state illegality which has imposed itself.

No longer is the matter of a Republic the preserve of Hyde Park orators. Over the past few days, the specific enormity of the arrest of Minister Damian Green MP has finally begun to dawn on the public. More than once the era of the previous attempt to establish a republic has been referred to.
The cornerstone of the new republic would entail a decalration by the parliament of its own soveriegnty in all matters. specifically, immunity from state arrest would be one principle, and any wrongdoing by a member would require the removal of said immuinty by way of impeachment. to keep things as orderly as possible during the transition, the monarch would be asked not to impede the creation of the new mode of government. The people of britain, hitherto subjects, would be fully empowered as true citizens. All this would merely bring the nation into line with other countries such as France.
Discuss!

Time for a Republic

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Devil in the details

29.11.2008 16:29

But in general, the right idea.

It's an important provision that elected representatives be immune while the legislature is in sesion. I'm not quite sure that "impeachment" is the correct bar to set as that usually refers to removal for offenses related to misuuse of posiiton only (the original meaning, 17-18th Century of 'High* Crimes and Misdemeanors" that found it's way into the US Constitution). It is quite common for the powers of legislatures to include "to rule on the fitness of memebers to serve in the body" and this more general provision should work better. Thus a reperesentative who shot a lover in a fit of jealous rage should be removable for that even though not a proper gorund for "impeachment" (unless somehow his or position had been used in the commission of the act, and that's unlikely in the example given).

The reason that this is important is to prevent a possible abuse. Otherwise political opponents might attempt to tie up a legislator with criminal action after criminal action. Even though none succeeded, would remove that legislator from the scene. The burden of proof to bring charges is much much lower than those required for conviction.




* The term "high" here meaning "against the crown" that appointed them.

MDN
mail e-mail: stepbyspefarm mtdata.com


well at least someone bothered to reply!

30.11.2008 15:10

for some reason the title and nom de plume got mixed up but i was hoping for a bit more feedback. as i see it, the situation now facing parliament is quite grave, and my brief suggestions above are a kind of 'emergency' motion. no need to mince words - i used the term impeachment while trying to describe a transitional period where parliament must be soveriegn.
we may argue that the entire political arrangement which has survived for about 350 years began to dissolve in the last 30 or so. whilst it has been affecting everyone else for a while, the rot has finally eaten through the floorboards and the House itself may collapse unless it acts in its own defence, and enlist the support of the people to so do.
the details of the vaunted republic can wait a bit until the debate is underway. please let it be soon, before the surveillance state makes its next move, having now tested the waters. however,i would like to make clear that (unlike 1642-60) a modern republic would best be secular, thus removing the crisis of religion which is now causing immense confusion in society .

Omen