Re: Why This Napoleon Should Be Cut Down To Size!
Originally Posted by
Solasch
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Perhaps you have a similar construction the UK as we have in the netherlands. We have a prime minister, head of a cabinet. We have only common people, so we have a house of commons of 150 (with legislative powers), but not a house of lords.
However, our 11 counties each have a council, and members of the councils chose a house of supervision of 75 wise and experienced (= old) politicians. New laws must first pass the house of commons, and then the house of supervision.
In the EU the accountability could be similar. New laws written in the european parliament, should pass a legislative supervisionative institute in every member state before coming into force.
Has the UK a similar arrangement, and could the above described be applicable in your country?
The Dutch system as you have outlined sounds a superior system to ours.
Our House of Lords, like the European Parliament, is an advisory body but with no real power. In fact, the House of Commons could, in my opinion, function perfectly well without them. In practical terms, I feel, it is like an exclusive old people's home for ex-Prime Ministers and others who have supported their favourite political party financially!
To put it simply, then, you have:
- a house of commons of 150
- 11 county councils of 75
(presumably, no other local authorities)
In comparison, we have:
- an elected House of Commons of about 650
- an unelected House of Lords of over 800(!)*
- an elected Scottish parliament*
- an elected Northern Irish parliament*
- an elected Welsh parliament*
- dozens of local (county, borough, city, etc.) councils
(these*, in my opinion, are of absolutely no use at all!)
I think it's quite obvious which of our two systems seems to be the more efficient. But then, of course, our country has always been a heavily bureaucratic administration!