Author Topic: Gordon Brown, for all my fellow brits.  (Read 1003 times)

Offline FastFwd

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Gordon Brown, for all my fellow brits.
« Reply #30 on: April 23, 2007, 05:05:16 PM »
Yes, it's unusual in British politics, but it does happen from time to time.

Offline Maverick

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Gordon Brown, for all my fellow brits.
« Reply #31 on: April 24, 2007, 10:30:09 AM »
Does this guy have a position comparable to the US Veep where he was elected to be the #1 person in line of succession? In other words, should Blair suddenly be incapable of performing his duties, (auto accident, heart attack anything of non sinister nature)  would this guy be the new PM automatically?

If not, how is that kind of situation handled?
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Offline Nashwan

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Gordon Brown, for all my fellow brits.
« Reply #32 on: April 24, 2007, 11:59:48 AM »
Comparison with presidents is misleading because the prime minister does not have the same powers as a president.

It's more like Pelosi and the senate majority leader deciding to stand down in a couple of years, and the Democrats choosing someone to replace them.

In Britain we don't, technically, vote for our government. We vote for representatives, who form a government and opposition amongst themselves.

As I understand it, US congressional voters vote for a representative, who is free to switch sides, support a different candidate for speaker, etc, in a similar way.

Quote
Yes, it's unusual in British politics, but it does happen from time to time.


It's not actually that unusual. Since WW2, Eden handed over to MacMillan mid term, MacMillan to Douglas-Home, Wilson to Callaghan as you noted, and Thatcher to Major. That's at least 4 mid term handovers in 50 years, and there may be more I've missed.

Offline FastFwd

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« Reply #33 on: April 24, 2007, 03:33:27 PM »
Nashwan - as always, you are right! :aok

I'd forgotten the Thatcher/Major transition.

As for Macmillan/Eden/Home, I hadn't really thought about those, which must all have happened in the 1959-1963 time frame.

Offline Laurie

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« Reply #34 on: April 24, 2007, 03:46:39 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Maverick
Does this guy have a position comparable to the US Veep where he was elected to be the #1 person in line of succession? In other words, should Blair suddenly be incapable of performing his duties, (auto accident, heart attack anything of non sinister nature)  would this guy be the new PM automatically?

If not, how is that kind of situation handled?


no that is the deputy prime minister, (john prescott's) job, gordon brown is just the minister for the economy,

Offline Laurie

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« Reply #35 on: April 24, 2007, 03:48:56 PM »
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Originally posted by Maverick
So if I ask about your politics which one of your country's folks brought up and posted on a bbs I'm arrogant. Check.

I guess it's simply too much trouble for you to really discuss the issues then. I was hoping for some real information instead of the lack of coverage for your side of the Atlantic.


maverick wasnt saying to other nationalities to not discuss but to not claim ownership of the BB's.

Offline FastFwd

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« Reply #36 on: April 24, 2007, 04:14:38 PM »
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Originally posted by Laurie
maverick wasnt saying to other nationalities to not discuss but to not claim ownership of the BB's.



Maverick - what he's trying to say is that the rest of the world gets pissed off with all this "Planet America" crap after a while.

Offline Maverick

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« Reply #37 on: April 24, 2007, 05:34:45 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Laurie
no that is the deputy prime minister, (john prescott's) job, gordon brown is just the minister for the economy,


Ok since there is a deputy PM why isn't he going to take over when Blair steps down? This is confusing to me.
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Offline Maverick

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Gordon Brown, for all my fellow brits.
« Reply #38 on: April 24, 2007, 05:46:15 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by FastFwd
Maverick - what he's trying to say is that the rest of the world gets pissed off with all this "Planet America" crap after a while.


That's his problem, not mine. I did not state this was planet America nor imply it. I also don't understand why he has such a problem in making a simple post that is comprehensible and needs an interpreter. It seems it's not just a one way street in comprehension as he totally misinterpreted my interest in the thread.
DEFINITION OF A VETERAN
A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."
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