Monthly Archives: August 2011

Open Primaries in The Westminster System

Posted on 2011/08/31 by J.W.J. Bowden

In 2008, British Conservative MP Douglas Carswell and British Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan co-authored a veritable manifesto for direct democracy and wholescale renewal of the Conservative Party, called The Plan: Twelve Months to Renew Britain.  They represent what I would … Continue reading →

Posted in Direct Democracy | 6 Comments

Prorogation As Prime Ministerial Delay Tactic: A Legitimate Parliamentary Tool, Not “Abuse” of Prerogative

Posted on 2011/08/29 by J.W.J. Bowden

UPDATE, July 2019: Please see this post on “Sir John Major’s Hypocrisy on Prorogation” for an in-depth explanation of how Major obtained a prorogation in 1997 in order to prevent Sir Gordon Downey from tabling his report into the Cash-for-Questions … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Governor's Discretion, Prime Minister's Powers, Prorogation | 14 Comments

Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition

Posted on 2011/08/27 by J.W.J. Bowden

I contend that the Bloc Quebecois should never have taken on the role or title of “Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition” in the 35th Parliament simply because it became the second largest party with 54 seats, compared to the Reform Party’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Loyal Opposition | 28 Comments

Fixed Elections in the Provinces, Part III: Analyses and Conclusions

Posted on 2011/08/22 by J.W.J. Bowden

Characteristics and Purposes of the Fixed-Election Laws Section 56.1 of the Canada Elections Act established fixed elections for the Parliament of Canada every four years on the third Monday in October, but necessarily preserves the constitutional powers of the governor … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Prime Minister's Powers | 20 Comments

Fareed Zakaria Is Right About Parliamentarism’s Efficiency, but Wrong on How It Works

Posted on 2011/08/21 by J.W.J. Bowden

Earlier I explained why the American form of presidentialism is inherently “irresponsible” (as opposed to responsible government in Westminster parliamentarism) because of its famous separation of powers, which is ultimately the source of all these fractious financial debates over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Parliamentarism v Presidentialism | 8 Comments