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Silent Hunter
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« on: April 05, 2005, 08:55:53 AM »

Since there's one for Australia...

Al, can you field some of these too?
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Filuwaúrdjan
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« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2005, 10:45:44 AM »


Indeedy
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Richard
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« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2005, 10:47:29 AM »

Tell me why is it that Wales and Scotland don't have seats in the European Union or United Nations.  I've often wondered about that.  They have their own soccer teams for say, the World Cup.  Are they separate countries?  Or not?
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opebo
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« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2005, 11:53:19 AM »

What if anything is actually gained by Britain for participating in the 'Special Relationship'?  Seems like folly to me, since the Continent is so much better than the US.
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Filuwaúrdjan
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« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2005, 12:03:54 PM »

Tell me why is it that Wales and Scotland don't have seats in the European Union or United Nations.  I've often wondered about that.  They have their own soccer teams for say, the World Cup.  Are they separate countries?  Or not?

They are seperate countries in one way (the U.K is official made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) but they aren't independent countries. A bit like Canadian provinces or U.S states (although England doesn't have it's own elected body).
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Filuwaúrdjan
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« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2005, 12:11:55 PM »

What if anything is actually gained by Britain for participating in the 'Special Relationship'?  Seems like folly to me, since the Continent is so much better than the US.

We have a lot of historic links with the U.S (not just the colonial period; a lot of people emigrated to the U.S in the 19th Century) and importent economic and strategic links with the U.S. There's also emotional links due to WW2. We speak the same language as you and there are a lot of cultural and political similarities.

At the same time, most people here hate the rest of Europe. France and Germany especially. We've hated France since 1066 and Germany since WW1 and (especially WW2).
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David S
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« Reply #6 on: April 05, 2005, 12:45:01 PM »

Dear Ask a Brit'
My wife won't let me have a girlfriend. What should I do?Smiley
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Democratic Hawk
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« Reply #7 on: April 05, 2005, 01:03:39 PM »

Dear Ask a Brit'
My wife won't let me have a girlfriend. What should I do?Smiley

Adhere to the wife if you value your bollocks!

Dave
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Hitchabrut
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« Reply #8 on: April 05, 2005, 02:45:36 PM »

How do Jews vote in Britain. My guess is Lib Dem.
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Jake
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« Reply #9 on: April 05, 2005, 03:25:20 PM »

Why doesn't religion play such a large role in politics?
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Colin
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« Reply #10 on: April 05, 2005, 03:27:59 PM »

What are the main political views of the Liberal Democrats? Also this is a general question to all the Brits on this board: Will you vote for or against the EU Constitution?
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Peter
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« Reply #11 on: April 05, 2005, 03:53:20 PM »

Why doesn't religion play such a large role in politics?

There is a distinct lake of a religious right, this undoubtedly contributes to it.

Britain has also had a lot of blood spilt over religion through out history and recently in Northern Ireland - this will have caused many politicians to avoid mixing the two. There's also little tolerance for it from the electorate and the media - just look at the way they went after Ruth Kelly for that Catholic organisation connection.

What are the main political views of the Liberal Democrats?

Not an easy question to answer because the Lib Dems is really the merger of two parties: the Liberals and the Social Democrats.

They maintain a generally socially liberal outlook - pro gay marriage, pro choice, ardently anti-death penalty, i think theyv'e come out for legalising certain drugs, they're for 16 yr olds getting porn.

Economically its very much a mixed bag - the Liberals always maintained a centre-right wing economic stance whilst the SDP were a Labour offshoot and therefore had a centre-left economic stance, and this continues to be shown in party policy. Some are very big on expanding the role of the state, though no re-nationalisation; Some stand for privatisation, notably their Treasury Spokesman (Vincent Cable). This is a debate that really needs to be had within the party before I will consider voting for them because I'm so unsure as to what I would be getting.

Foreign policy is very anti-Iraq war and very pro-UN. Note that they do still favour interventionist missions for humanitarian reasons and missions sanctioned by the UN, such as Afghanistan. They are very pro-EU and would likely sign on to the Federal Superstate idea.

They've also been the biggest party in favour of electoral and constitutional reform: They have hinted at possible dissolution of the monarchy and I think have come out for disestablishment of the Church. They favour devolution and reforming the Lords to being elected via Proportional representation.

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I will likely vote yes, but I haven't made my mind up totally at this point.
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AuH2O
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« Reply #12 on: April 05, 2005, 04:17:57 PM »

Why is your food so bad?
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opebo
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« Reply #13 on: April 05, 2005, 04:50:25 PM »

What if anything is actually gained by Britain for participating in the 'Special Relationship'?  Seems like folly to me, since the Continent is so much better than the US.

We have a lot of historic links with the U.S (not just the colonial period; a lot of people emigrated to the U.S in the 19th Century) and importent economic and strategic links with the U.S. There's also emotional links due to WW2. We speak the same language as you and there are a lot of cultural and political similarities.

At the same time, most people here hate the rest of Europe. France and Germany especially. We've hated France since 1066 and Germany since WW1 and (especially WW2).

That is interesting and makes a lot of sense!  I have to admit the Brits and the Continentals here are breeds apart.  Mostly the Brits are frightening baldy tattooed yobs or snide and unpleasant middle class types.  All are terrible drunks and of course the yobs are prone to bar fights.  The Continentals - mostly German, Scandianavian, Dutch, Belgian, are all so pleasant, calm, peaceful.  You can always tell them a mile away because they have a little hair on their heads.  And never a bar fight from them. 
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Filuwaúrdjan
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« Reply #14 on: April 05, 2005, 04:59:17 PM »

Why doesn't religion play such a large role in politics?

It does and it doesn't. There's no high profile religious right so issues like abortion don't feature much if at all... but there's been a strong (but low profile) religious element within the Labour movement from it's beginning and the welfare state largely get's it's inspiration from it (interestingly some of Labour's most loyal supporters are from the older Evangelical/Non Conformist denominations).
Religion has more influence over actual policy, but is much, much lower profile.

As a historical note, Sectarianism used to play a MASSIVE role in Liverpool and Glasgow. Those days are, happily, gone for good.
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David S
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« Reply #15 on: April 05, 2005, 04:59:58 PM »
« Edited: April 05, 2005, 05:01:34 PM by David S »

Dear Ask a Brit'
My wife won't let me have a girlfriend. What should I do?Smiley

LOL Thats good advice I think. Sorry about the silly question but "Ask a Brit" sounds so much like an advice column I couldn't resist.
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« Reply #16 on: April 05, 2005, 06:26:33 PM »

How likely is it that a strong showing by the Liberal Demorats will deny Labour an outright majority, and there'll be a Liberal/Labour coalition?
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Jake
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« Reply #17 on: April 05, 2005, 06:27:37 PM »

I think Kennedy said something to the point of "no alliances".
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jfern
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« Reply #18 on: April 05, 2005, 06:39:26 PM »

I think Kennedy said something to the point of "no alliances".

Then what happens then? A new election?
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Jake
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« Reply #19 on: April 05, 2005, 06:43:13 PM »

I think Kennedy said something to the point of "no alliances".

Then what happens then? A new election?

I assume the same thing that is happening in Canada, a minority government.
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Peter
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« Reply #20 on: April 05, 2005, 07:05:06 PM »

How likely is it that a strong showing by the Liberal Demorats will deny Labour an outright majority, and there'll be a Liberal/Labour coalition?

Its highly unlikely that a strong Lib Dem showing on its own could erode the Labour majority because the swing would have to be massive. More likely is a strong Tory showing that sweeps the Tory-Labour marginals leaving no party with a majority.

Even if all this happens as stated, Kennedy won't sit in coalition and then we have a minority government, probably for only a matter of months before another election gets called.
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J. J.
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« Reply #21 on: April 05, 2005, 07:08:11 PM »

Just how little social importance are Lordships of Manors?
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DanielX
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« Reply #22 on: April 05, 2005, 07:26:46 PM »

Why is it that you can get jailed for shooting a burglar while he/she is robbing your house in Britain?
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Peter
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« Reply #23 on: April 05, 2005, 10:40:37 PM »

Why is it that you can get jailed for shooting a burglar while he/she is robbing your house in Britain?

Shooting people running away from your house is against the Law, presuming that you are referring to the wrongly canonised Tony Martin. That man really was very strange, in fact he was pyschologically disturbed according to shrinks IIRC. He had a history of gun-misuse, including threatening young children with a shotgun.

He got robbed, which to be fair was very sad and obviously not his fault. He then laid in wait, and then as they were running out of the house, he shot both of the burglars, one of them fatally. He then left them for dead and stayed the night at a friends would you believe.

His actions got him a murder conviction which wasn't for defending his property, it was for shoting and klling somebody who presented no present threat and then leaving the burglars for dead without so much as a call to the police or other emergency services.

The Law does routinely protect those who use reasonable force to protect their lives, the lives of their family and their property - It doesn't protect what is best viewed as a retaliation attack and then downright cold heartedness that resulted in the death of somebody, probably unnecessarily had he received swift medical care.
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StatesRights
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« Reply #24 on: April 05, 2005, 11:59:18 PM »

Where are some decently priced and nice places to stay in England? I want to take my family there within the next 2 years.
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