The whips are just there to keep Members of Parliament to follow their party line, and make sure they vote of key issues.
And besides, Haggis (as well as Deep-Fried Mars bars) is a Scottish dish, not English
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| AO Forum :: > General Discussion > England's whip system |
| Posted by: Latao Dec 11 2005, 09:14 AM |
| I am reading a bit about England’s history and politics these days. I wonder why the have the so-called “whip system”. I think a member of the parliament should be free just as any other citizen of the country. This means, I wouldn’t want parties to dictate their (MP) members how to vote on specific bills and proposals. I have greatest respect for the century-old traditions of the UK and her institutions. Their parliament and their democracy probably is one of the oldest in the world. As far I know, the only countries in Europe with constitutions and laws older than 60 years are England, Norway and Switzerland – but some things are just weird in England – Haggis looks like a car accident and the Scots fry mars sticks ;-) However, I was surprised that England does not have a constitution in the continental sense of the word, like Norway (I believe) and Israel. |
| Posted by: Starblaydia Dec 11 2005, 11:34 AM |
| England (or rather, Great Britain) doesn't have a specific written constitution, like the USA does. It's there, of course, but is always developing as laws are made. The whips are just there to keep Members of Parliament to follow their party line, and make sure they vote of key issues. And besides, Haggis (as well as Deep-Fried Mars bars) is a Scottish dish, not English |
| Posted by: Latao Dec 11 2005, 12:42 PM |
| Well, after 10 beers I could imagine to try one of these fried mars bars, but Haggis is too much for me ;-) And I can't believe Churchill ever ate a Schnitzel, Man that was so funny! :D |
| Posted by: Falcania Jan 14 2006, 06:21 PM |
| Yeah, we English people rawk. Think about it: How many civilised western countries have a monarch? Us. |
| Posted by: Hypocria Jan 15 2006, 05:23 AM |
| And Andorra, Belgium, Denmark, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Spain . . . |
| Posted by: Sarzonia Jan 15 2006, 03:11 PM |
| The same sort of system happens in the US. There's a huge game that both parties play with partisan voting. That doesn't completely stop mavericks from voting their consciences, but they pick and choose now. |
| Posted by: Falcania Jan 15 2006, 04:02 PM | ||
... Touché. |