why funny?
It's part of our procedures
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:52, 2 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

I know, I know
I just find difficult to understand that, if Gordon Brownd decides to stay as PM, even if LibDem and Tories agree to work together, he could do it.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 16:54, Reply)

Uh not quite
he was in charge until a decision could be reached. If LibDems and Conservatives formed a coalition, he would not be PM
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:55, Reply)

I was explained
That as nobody got absolute mayority (?) he could stay as PM, even if his party is not in power.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 16:58, Reply)

no it doesn't work like that
if Labour is not part of the government formed then he couldn't remain as PM
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:06, Reply)

Are you sure about that?
I was explained that, until now, that has been just good manners, but not a law. That's one of the first things they want to change about your election system and put it in writing.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:07, Reply)

See the video link Psychochomp posted below
It's a nice, clear (and most importantly, concise!) explanation of the situation.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:13, Reply)

I can't do it at work
But I'll do it when I get home (I have a long lonely evening in front of me)

If you are right, I'll be more than happy to correct my colleages at work :)
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:15, Reply)

In practise you are right,
but in fact Labour could remain as government until defeated by a vote of no confidence. This would almost certainly be at the Queen's speech.
So, in effect they are out.
Unless a Lib Lab pact can protect them from a VoNC.
( Larry Vest One day at a time, sweet Jesus, FFS., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:17, Reply)

That's what I understood
They were laughing at the situation, as it'd mean that Brown would be PM, but with no power at all.

That's as well why they want to put in writing that he has to step down, rather than leaving it as good manners only.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:20, Reply)

Funny to non-British People
Even though it is a parliamentary government, there is still *one* person who must give permission.
(JohntheDane, Tue 11 May 2010, 16:56, Reply)

Be careful
You might upset some people here.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 16:59, Reply)

It's ok.
I also think it's farcical.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:10, Reply)

You be careful too
Or do you want people to get upset with you?
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:12, Reply)

Well, as a British citizen
my post probably counts as treason. If that were still a punishable offence, I think I could live with the additional consequence of the pro-royal /offtopicers being upset with me.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:15, Reply)

It's quite clear - this is a democracy, unless the Queen says otherwise.

( Larry Vest One day at a time, sweet Jesus, FFS., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:19, Reply)

My father supports the King in Spain
However, he keept asking me, when I started voting at 18, "If this is a real democracy, and you choose who is in the goverment, why cannot you choose if you want a king or not?"
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:22, Reply)

I wouldn't count myself as pro-royal
as such. But I certainly wouldn't want to abolish the monarchy. Make of that what you will
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:22, Reply)

Pro-royal
Clearly.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:22, Reply)

if you read what I had written
-not pro-royal. Just not anti them
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:29, Reply)

Similarly, I'm not necessarily abolitionist
(At least, I've mellowed over the years)
If they still turn a profit as the world's biggest hereditary tourist attraction, then they can carry on as figureheads, I just think it's time we did away with these dreadfully dated parts of the constitution (e.g., as Larry describes it "a democracy, unless the Queen says otherwise"). I know she doesn't wield any real power, it just strikes me as immensely hypocritical that we blunder round the world preaching the benefits and virtues of democracy when our own official head of state is appointed autocratically.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:26, Reply)

That'd be awesome.

( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:10, Reply)

And unheard of

(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:12, Reply)

People just don't flounce like they used to around here.

( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:15, Reply)

Be patient, Wormulus did reappear a few days ago...

(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:15, Reply)

There's hope yet.

( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:16, Reply)

I'm counting the seconds
Do you think he'll go with the royals or against them?
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:23, Reply)

Oh, he won't flounce over this.
It's /talkers he gets upset with. Not sure who would have a monarchy flounce...
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:28, Reply)

I don't do /talk
Everything goes too fast to follow.

Going home now, have a good evening!
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 17:30, Reply)

Bonsoir!
(Sorry, I don't speak Spanish so French will have to suffice)
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 11 May 2010, 17:31, Reply)

Oh, don´t worry
It´s the same language - not
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Tue 11 May 2010, 18:42, Reply)