h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In the immortal words of Monty Python, "this is a partly political broadcast"

We do pay for the Royals and they do generate their own income. Why do we also pay the salaries of 659 MP's? Have you thought how much money could be saved by getting rid of ALL MP's and just having Ministers (Civil Servants) in charge and advising the Queen as to what was best.

The Civil Servants run things anyway so why do we pay MP's?

And a novel concept how about having people who know the subject matter, e.g. defence, education etc etc in charge of THAT department. Why not put a soldier, sailor etc in charge of defence, a financier/entrepreneur in charge of the treasury. Too logical I suppose.

Please resurrect Guy Fawkes and point out where he went wrong!!!!

Hi Krisdrum.

Now this IS an idea we could run with...... nut who would you put in charge of advising the monarch on judicial mattters?

Novo

PS It was once said ( I don't Know who by ) that "the best formof government is a benevolent dictatorship !

Sorry about the spelling !

Metternich perhaps?

Monarcy

Democracy

Beurocracy

It's the next logical progression.

---------
What is that funny humming noise?

Oliver Cromwell spinning in his grave.

Oh.

NAaaa thats a silly silly idea. A better idea would be for me to announce myself supreme commander of the United Kingdom, take the houses of parliment by force, abolish the monachie and kill them in a bluddy revolution, then I could live in buck palace (renamed the people palace) and govern the country till I die, or get knocked off by a radical revolutionary inside wing of the armed forces I'd use to rule the country with an iron fist, and I'd rule like a dictator or something, and ban MPs etc

Novo,
Judicial matters? perhaps the Judges could elect a "top man" (Lord Chancellor) from within their ranks. Just as the armed forces, educators, medics, financiers etc etc etc could?

Royal regimes have existed and do exist well in Europe, I'm not sure how they operate but its got to be better than the farce, shambles and financial disaster we call the Houses of Parliament!!!

And IF ours wasn't so benign, they would have what happened in Russia to act act as a moderator

Clive,
Cromwell no matter how well intentioned (at that time) is the one responsible for the mess we now have! Let him spin if I had my way it would be over a large fire!

If I had a dog I'd name him Cromwell.

Imagine if the Monarch still had absolute power as divine ruler!

Blimey - No thanks.

My real question - which was sort of implied in my first post - I presume we are dispensing with democracy then (however imperfect)?

"Imagine if the Monarch still had absolute power as divine ruler! "

an just how do you think the country is being run now that parliament has been dissolved

(for those that do not know... by HM Queen issuing "Orders in Council" on the advice of the Ministers of State she appointed, who it should be noted are no longer elected MP's since Parliament was dissolved).

Clive,
I have a dog. Luckily for him his name isn't Cromwell or I'd have to kick him up the backside at least once a day! Just kidding!

Democracy? Removal of the House of Lords, Inprisonment without charge, trial without jury, ID cards etc etc etc, yes it sure is great!

How about dispensing with government completely ~
Anyone for anarchy?

Pixel/Clive,
Sorry but you're missing the point. Just how much "government" do you want to pay for? The Civil Servants NOT the Politicians run the country. We already pay the CS' so why pay the MP' as well??? Local government (Councillors, who used to be Aldermen) could easily represent us at Ministerial level. Central government MP's etc is a VERY VERY expensive self-perpetuating monster that needs decapitating.

Democracy? Isn't that were the people that are elected do what those that elected them want? Got an example or two please, coz I can't think of ANY offhand?

HappyDude,
Spot on!!! Will we notice any difference? I don't think so!

Pixel/Clive, on the subject of democracy. Scotland and Wales have their own assemblies with MP's elected by the Scots and Welsh (naturally), These Scotttish and Welsh MP's vote in Westminster on ALL matters affecting us, but we have NO say on what they vote in their respective assemblies. So where is the democracy in that situation for us?

Who gave the Welsh and Scots these powers? Doh! Our elected representatives!!! Doh! Doh! my brain hurts! Who pays for these seperatist assemblies? Doh! have a guess!

It should be pointed out that just about the only power of government HM Queen does not have during this interregnum of parliament is to raise new taxes

It would be good but relies on a fair leader. THe problem is:
"Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutly"

Q: does the actual form of National governance in the UK matter when so much of the decision making is now vested in the European Union (I personally think the European elections are getting to be more important than the national ones)

Democracy?... What kind of democracy is it when 85% of the population do not have a dedicated voice in parliament?

England doesn't exist politically or constitutionally.

No increase in taxes!!! Yippee, she gets my vote!!!!

But seriously folks, it isn't such a silly idea is it?

Ultimate power? Is ours, like I said the Tzars found that out in Russia. Do you relly think any modern day (21st century)monarch wouldn't be naturally reasonable, but especially so with that example to reflect upon?

Everything is ALREADY in place, we just just need to lose the politicians