Thread: United States of Britain???

The United States of Britain?

BRITAIN'S NEW prime minister, Gordon Brown, was a day early with his Independence Day celebrations. On July 3, he made one of the most startling statements ever made by a newly installed premier before the House of Commons. Unless my ears mistook me, Brown pledged to transform the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland into the United States of Britain.

Opinion polls like the Pew Global Attitudes survey continue to testify to widespread anti-American feeling among British voters. Brown himself has hinted that he will pursue a less slavishly pro-American foreign policy than his predecessor, Tony Blair. Yet the "new British constitutional settlement" Brown promised last week owes an unmistakable debt to the American system. To be precise, his speech contained no fewer than seven American-inspired initiatives:

The United States of Britain? - Los Angeles Times

Ok so from what I understand he wants to -

1. Turn the UK and Northern Ireland into the United States of Britain...

2. Wants to remove some of the monarchy's power and entrust that power to Parliament and the British people. He intends to balance the power between government, Parliament and the people...

3. Wants to delegate the power to declare war to the House of Commons.

4. Empower the House of Commons to hold pre-appointment hearings for officials

5. Publish on a regular bases a national security strategy

6. Establish a British National Security Council

7. Turn the House of Lords into an elected body...

So from the sounds of things Brown wants to turn Britain into a mini-US? What's the catch? Will Americanizing the UK system really return power to the people, or only hand over power to Parliament? Your thoughts...

Originally Posted by Kanabi

The United States of Britain?

BRITAIN'S NEW prime minister, Gordon Brown, was a day early with his Independence Day celebrations. On July 3, he made one of the most startling statements ever made by a newly installed premier before the House of Commons. Unless my ears mistook me, Brown pledged to transform the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland into the United States of Britain.

Opinion polls like the Pew Global Attitudes survey continue to testify to widespread anti-American feeling among British voters. Brown himself has hinted that he will pursue a less slavishly pro-American foreign policy than his predecessor, Tony Blair. Yet the "new British constitutional settlement" Brown promised last week owes an unmistakable debt to the American system. To be precise, his speech contained no fewer than seven American-inspired initiatives:

The United States of Britain? - Los Angeles Times

Ok so from what I understand he wants to -

1. Turn the UK and Northern Ireland into the United States of Britain...

2. Wants to remove some of the monarchy's power and entrust that power to Parliament and the British people. He intends to balance the power between government, Parliament and the people...

3. Wants to delegate the power to declare war to the House of Commons.

4. Empower the House of Commons to hold pre-appointment hearings for officials

5. Publish on a regular bases a national security strategy

6. Establish a British National Security Council

7. Turn the House of Lords into an elected body...

So from the sounds of things Brown wants to turn Britain into a mini-US? What's the catch? Will Americanizing the UK system really return power to the people, or only hand over power to Parliament? Your thoughts...

He certainly does not. He has some good ideas, well wait to see how they pan out.I kindof like the way the Monarchy and the lords had a say, meant they didnt need to lie to get power so you know where you stand.