Who is Guy Fawkes

[denishc]

 A few observations......

 First, about the movie, I haven't seen it yet but everytime I see that smiling mask it makes me think that there's some kind of inside joke going on that the views aren't being let  on to.  Not quite sure what the Greeks would have called it, but with all the other characters acting so serious and the main character always with a smirk on his face makes me feel as if there's some kind of trick or pun being played on us.

 Second, at the time of the "Gunpowder Plot" were there really politicians as we know them today?  Certainly there were those people who wanted to seize power, for whatever reason, so I can see killing the King, but not the members of Parliament.

 Now for a question, and correct me at anytime if I''m wrong, today Parliment is made up of two bodies, The House of Lords (rements of English nobility) and the House of Commons (elected officals choosen to represent the people).  At the time of the "Gunpowder Plot" did the House of Commons exist?

[C]

The House of Lords (rements of English nobility)

...alongside ex polititians, business people and those "chosen" as a reward for their success in their profession, or, more recently lending a political party some cash...

[Fozzer]

English Parliament is represented by two opposing types of society...
(1) Those for whom common sense prevails at all times....The unelected House Of Lords.
..and
(2) The riff-raff, like the majority of us who don't know what time of friggin' day it is*..
The elected House of Commons,... ...!

I think that just about covers it all......!

Paul...I eat Politicians for breakfast every morning... ...!

......!

* rather like all you blokes "Over There" who voted for George "Doublya" Bush...
...and we blokes "Over Here" who voted for Tony "I love you George" Blair......!

[denishc]

* rather like all you blokes "Over There" who voted for George "Doublya" Bush...
...and we blokes "Over Here" who voted for Tony "I love you George" Blair......!

 Another couple of questions.....  
 
 How often are the elections held for British P.M.?  I'm sure that many of you out there know that elections for a U.S. President is held every four years and that no one President can serve more than two terms, after which he must retire to private lift and can no longer hold an elected office.

 What's all this about forming a "goverment"?  Must the P.M. put together some sort of "coalition" to administer to the state?  And what about a "vote of no confidence"?  If this occures must the P.M. disolve his current goverment and form a new one?  

[C]

[quote]

[denishc]

Unfortunately no such rule exists in the UK. However, Gordon Brown is apparently going to be the next Prime Minister according to our Tone, so it appears we are now being told that (New) Labour will win the next election...

 So, how often are elections held for P.M.?  Are elections set on a regular schedule or can a P.M. be voted out of office at any time?  I suppose I'm asking how long is the P.M.s term in office?  Or does the P.M. have a set number of years to their term?

P.S.:  Thanks for the feedback. Charlie......

[Hagar]

At the time of the "Gunpowder Plot" did the House of Commons exist?

Yes. Two distinct Houses of Parliament were emerging for the first time, with the 'Commons' sitting apart from the 'Upper House' from 1341. http://www.parliament.uk/works/parliament.cfm#fourteenth

[quote]How often are the elections held for British P.M.?

[denishc]

[quote]Britain is a constitutional monarchy with the Queen (or King) as head of state. The PM is head of Her Majesty's government.

[Hagar]

[quote]O.K., I get it now.

[denishc]

Officially three major parties in the UK......

 I always felt that the U.S. could stand to have a third major party, something in the middle, between the liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans.  Actually I believe that many U.S. citizens, like me, fall into this category.

 Thanks to all of you for the civics lession, it was very informative.

[Hagar]

I always felt that the U.S. could stand to have a third major party, something in the middle,

That's how it used to be here. Now they're all fighting over the middle ground so there's not a lot to choose between them. They're all as bad as one another.

[denishc]

That's how it used to be here. Now they're all fighting over the middle ground so there's not a lot to choose between them. They're all as bad as one another.

 So true.  The sad truth is that many politicians sway in the wind like reeds, leaning in the direction the polls point.  Here in the States, with November elections coming up, many Republicans are trying to distance themselves from the President, who's popularity is slipping.  Its hard finding a politician that has any core beliefs and is willing to stick to them.