Quote:
Originally Posted by chris9991
I notice this text in the Conservative/ Lib Dem Deal, from the Political Reform section (number 6)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politi...10/8677933.stm
Does this mean that if 46% do not vote for dissolution, that the said dissolution will not go ahead i.e. that only 46% support is needed to survive a vote of confidence? |
What a sad day for democracy. Since when is a majority fifty-five per cent, surely it is fifty per cent plus one.
This is what the Times has to say, rather remarkable insight, for them:
Quote:
The British constitution is very simple: he who commands the confidence of the House is PM, he who loses that confidence must resign. I simply do not see how such a rule is credible or can be enforced: a majority is a majority is 51%, not 55% or 60% or 80%. But once one concedes the concept on anything other than a simple majority for a confidence vote, then the way is open to Governments to protect their position by passing legislation demanding ever higher majorities before they are forced to resign.
"Indeed why not go the whole hog and pass legislation saying that nothing less than a 100% majority will be sufficient to force the government of the day to resign! As well as being politically dangerous, there is also the fundamental paradox that this legislation need only be passed by a simple majority.
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Plans for fixed-term Parliaments "not credible" and "dangerous" - says law expert