"inky blots, and rotten parchment bonds"

posted by k

How is Britain ruled and by whom?

And how are laws really made?

John Reid, announcing that his resignation would coincide with Tony Blair's - said that he would complete major and controversial changes to the Home Office before then. That gives him merely a few weeks. Presumably he does not plan to seek parliamentary approval.

Meanwhile, other changes are being arranged by treaty and without public consultation. I have heard no public debate on the new United States/European Union single market, which will change our daily lives. Phrases like "harmonising regulations" and "widening choice" are usually code for taking protection from workers and customers - and pushing up private profits.

There's some further detail and opinion here. It's convinced me that, at the very least, this should have been a matter of further debate. It still should be. But I fear there's little chance for more detailed discussion while Europe is dominated by Blair/Brown, Merkel and Sarkozy in close alliance with Bush.

It's curious to see how the government of countries can be changed without voting, debate or much public knowledge.