Month: September 2003
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LibDems Say No to People’s Choice
The Liberal Democratic Party at its annual conference has voted down a motion calling for a referendum on the right of the people to choose their own head of state. Party leader Charles Kennedy had opposed the motion on the grounds that other issues were more urgent. Some speakers at the conference said that opposition…
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Hereditary Legislators To Be Removed
The constitutional affairs secretary has announced that the government will propose legislation to remove the remaining 92 hereditary legislators from Parliament. New legislators-for-life will continue to be appointed however, under the supervision of a statutory commission. The conservative party leader in the House of Lords threatened a “major fight” against the reform. Legislators-for-life from other…
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Jamaican PM Calls for Republic
Jamaican prime minister P J Patterson has called for his country to become a republic within the next few years. Currently Jamaica recognises` British queen Elizabeth Windsor as its head of state. Mr. Patterson was speaking at a conference of his People’s National Party. The opposition Labour Party also supports the reform of Jamaica’s constitution…
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Legislator-For-Life To Lead BBC Enquiry
Terrence Burns, a legislator-for-life, has been appointed by culture and sports minister Tessa Jowell as an adviser on the future of the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC). According to the Financial Times he will set up a panel of experts to make recommendations about the renewal of the charter that allows the broadcasting giant to function…
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Oppostion to Swaziland Monarchy Grows
Opposition to the absolute monarchy in Swaziland has shown a marked increase this year, according to the New York Times. In August a three-day trade union protest blocked a border crossing with South Africa. And the Swaziland Youth Congress has called for armed conflict. Observers attribute the increased opposition to king Mswati to the economic…