Separation of power, British Style The Prime Minister is an active member of the legislative, yet he is also the leading member of the executive Also the lord chancellor is a member of the cabinet and therefore of the executive as well as being head of the judiciary The House of lords also has a right to vote on bills so they are part of the legislative but the Lords also contains the Law lords who are an important part of the judiciary As with the pm. the members of the cabinet are also members of the legislative who have the right as a Member of parliament to vote on issues
Separation of Power, British Style • The Prime Minister is an active member of the legislative, yet he is also the leading member of the executive. • Also the Lord Chancellor is a member of the cabinet and therefore of the executive as well as being head of the judiciary • The House of Lords also has a right to vote on bills so they are part of the legislative but the Lords also contains the Law Lords who are an important part of the judiciary • As with the PM, the members of the Cabinet are also members of the legislative who have the right, as a Member of Parliament, to vote on issues
Power vs Corruption Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely Great men are almost always bad men Lord Acton, British historian, 1834-1902) Politicians are almost always liars hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be. (Thomas Jefferson
Power vs Corruption • Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men. (Lord Acton, British historian, 1834-1902) • Politicians are almost always liars • I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be. (Thomas Jefferson)
Freedom duties the limits to freedom Civil Liberties under Parliamentary Democracy: the freedom to organise politically the freedom of speech the freedom of the press the equality of all people under the law These rights are not absolute but have to be established and limited by the law. For example freedom of speech is limited by the law of libel and contempt. Such laws are decided by Parliament
Freedom & Duties the Limits to Freedom • Civil Liberties under Parliamentary Democracy: • the freedom to organise politically • the freedom of speech • the freedom of the press • the equality of all people under the law • These rights are not absolute but have to be established and limited by the law. For example freedom of speech is limited by the law of libel and contempt. Such laws are decided by Parliament
Libel? Contempt? Prime Minister, do you have blood on your hands? Are you going to resign? Those were the shocking questions posed by a British journalist to Tony Blair at his press conference in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on July 19, 2003 The questions left Blair shaken and literally speechless for the first time in his premiership His Japanese counterpart rescued him by grabbing his arm and leading him out of the press room
Libel? Contempt? • "Prime Minister, do you have blood on your hands? Are you going to resign?“ • Those were the shocking questions posed by a British journalist to Tony Blair at his press conference in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on July 19, 2003 • The questions left Blair shaken and literally speechless for the first time in his premiership. His Japanese counterpart rescued him by grabbing his arm and leading him out of the press room
Constitutional reform Constitutional reform Devolution House of lords reform Partial independence for Bank of england Freedom of information Parliamentary select committees Electoral reform - a written constitution;a“bi‖ I of rights
Constitutional Reform • Constitutional Reform – Devolution – House of Lords reform – Partial independence for Bank of England – Freedom of Information – Parliamentary select committees – Electoral reform – A written constitution; a “bill of rights