Ask a Brit thread

[Peter]

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.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I will likely vote yes, but I haven't made my mind up totally at this point.

[Peter]

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.

[Peter]

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.

[Peter]

Canadians sit around nibbling on carrots a little too much for my taste, but other than that, they're fine.

[Peter]

Is it true that New Labour is to the right of the pre-Thatcher Tories?

On economic issues, absolutely. Most social issues, its to the left however, though that may have more to do with 30 years passing.

[Peter]

As a citizen of the commonwealth, would I be allowed to partake in your elections? (providing that I would have to live in the UK)

I think you can, yes.