Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Vince and the queen
So what century are we living in exactly? OK, so Vince Cable should have known that he could not discuss the monarch but really, what sort of democracy prevents its elected representatives from mentioning the head of state in Parliament without 'prior permission'?
The BBC tell us that 'according to Erskine May, the guide to parliamentary practice, "the irregular use of the Queen's name to influence a decision of the House is unconstitutional in principle and inconsistent with the independence of Parliament".
It adds: "Any attempt to use her name in debate to influence the judgement of Parliament is immediately checked and censured."
It says MPs have been reprimanded "or even sent to the Tower" for treasonable or seditious language "or disrespectful use of Her Majesty's name".
Are we living in the reign of Elizabeth II or Elizabeth I? Vince is absolutely right when he describes these procedures as 'ridiculous'. Still it is just as well that Leanne Wood is not a member of the House of Commons. If she had referred to 'Mrs Windsor' in the Palace of Westminster she would still be incarcerated in the Tower in leg irons.
The BBC tell us that 'according to Erskine May, the guide to parliamentary practice, "the irregular use of the Queen's name to influence a decision of the House is unconstitutional in principle and inconsistent with the independence of Parliament".
It adds: "Any attempt to use her name in debate to influence the judgement of Parliament is immediately checked and censured."
It says MPs have been reprimanded "or even sent to the Tower" for treasonable or seditious language "or disrespectful use of Her Majesty's name".
Are we living in the reign of Elizabeth II or Elizabeth I? Vince is absolutely right when he describes these procedures as 'ridiculous'. Still it is just as well that Leanne Wood is not a member of the House of Commons. If she had referred to 'Mrs Windsor' in the Palace of Westminster she would still be incarcerated in the Tower in leg irons.
Comments:
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The phrase "straining at gnats" comes to mind. Because of this Speaker's nit-picking, we were denied Vince's follow-up question.
"If she [Leanne Wood] had referred to 'Mrs Windsor' in the Palace of Westminster she would still be incarcerated in the Tower in leg irons"
Some members may even pay for this spectacle.
Some members may even pay for this spectacle.
It is a perfectly reasonable rule and one of the few remaining that protect the dignity and personal life of the Sovereign. Mr. Cable's question was irrelevant and pertained to a personal decision made by the Queen. The Speaker was absolutely right to stop Mr. Cable from invoking Her Majesty's name for political means.
# posted by 
: 2:04 AM
: 2:04 AM
Surely, shouldn't it be Mrs Mountbatten, or perhaps Mrs Saxe Coburg Gothe. The surname Windsor only came about after cousin Kaizer Bill kicked off the first World War, and George V didn't want the public to realise he was a Kraut so he changed his name to Windsor
Unfortunately, Mr Mountbatten-Saxe-Coburg-Gothe has developed a lung infection after sniffing around Mrs Nicolas Sarkozy the other week.
Unfortunately, Mr Mountbatten-Saxe-Coburg-Gothe has developed a lung infection after sniffing around Mrs Nicolas Sarkozy the other week.
# posted by : 11:34 PM
: 11:34 PM
The Queen's family name, inherited from her grandfather, George V, is actually von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha. This was changed to Windsor in 1917. If, however, she was to take her husband's name, as is traditional in many circumstances then her surname would be von Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg.
For more see this earlier post.
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For more see this earlier post.
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