Tabling an amendment allows MP's to vote on a specific text- so if (theoretically) 51% of the House supported the amendment, then there'd be no mandate for war. Which wouldn't stop a declaration, as the PM's power to declare war flows direct from the Queen, not from Parliament, shockingly enough. Cookie's resignation is huge, though - he's probably the third most powerful person in the Labour Party, and has been a hardcore Blairite from day one. He's the equivalent of (say) the Majority Leader in the Senate - so imagine the effect HIS resignation would have on Bush.
Actually not needing validation right now, but thank you.
Buffy ,'Lies My Parents Told Me'
All Ogle, No Cash -- It's Not Just Annoying, It's Un-American
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Jim - Mar 18, 2003 3:37:04 am PST #2410 of 9843
Ficht nicht mit Der Raketemensch!
Jim - Mar 18, 2003 3:37:40 am PST #2411 of 9843
Ficht nicht mit Der Raketemensch!
. Of course, it would be pathetic and sad if they meant it in the US way, but still an interesting example.
What is the US meaning of the word?
Cindy - Mar 18, 2003 3:44:50 am PST #2412 of 9843
Nobody
Here (U.S.), we use table to take something off of the table (put a hold on discussion), as opposed to bringing something to the table.
Am-Chau Yarkona - Mar 18, 2003 3:46:20 am PST #2413 of 9843
I bop to Wittgenstein. -- Nutty
Here (U.S.), we use table to take something off of the table (put a hold on discussion), as opposed to bringing something to the table.
Where we'd use shelve in the UK?
Cindy - Mar 18, 2003 3:53:15 am PST #2414 of 9843
Nobody
We also use shelve, but yes. It's actually probably better explained as leaving something on the table, rather than bringing it up or taking it off. You're putting it aside for later.
Am-Chau Yarkona - Mar 18, 2003 3:58:50 am PST #2415 of 9843
I bop to Wittgenstein. -- Nutty
Right. As I think Jim said, it's an interesting difference in usage.
Jim - Mar 18, 2003 4:19:36 am PST #2416 of 9843
Ficht nicht mit Der Raketemensch!
I didn't say it was interesting - not that it isn't, of course. Anyway, the debate this afternoon should be a doozy.
Zoe Finch - Mar 18, 2003 4:25:56 am PST #2417 of 9843
Gradh tu fhein
the PM's power to declare war flows direct from the Queen, not from Parliament,
So does that mean Her Germaness (house of Hanover yada yada yada...) is pro-war?
Jim - Mar 18, 2003 5:01:39 am PST #2418 of 9843
Ficht nicht mit Der Raketemensch!
No (she might be, but she's politically "neutral") - the Crown reserved certain rights to itself following the Restoration - declaring War, appointing ministers, appointing Archbishops, calling elections, naming Lords.... However, by pretty much unbreakable convention those Royal Prerogatives are wielded by the Prime Minister. It's why the British PM, with a strong majority, is about the most powerful leader of a democratic country - he has all the powers of the US president and the US Congress combined.
Jim - Mar 18, 2003 5:02:41 am PST #2419 of 9843
Ficht nicht mit Der Raketemensch!
Hence why the Hanoverian regime ((c) Ken MacLeod) should be replaced by an elected Head of State.