Great Britain has been stirring with political discussion about the euro, Cabinet reshuffles and parliamentary inquiry over the decision to go to war in recent weeks.  My close watch of British politics culminated with a tour of the Palace of Westminster, home to the House of Commons and House of Lords.  Even though I wanted to see Prime Minister’s Questions, live debate in the House of Commons was not disappointing.

Outside politics, the British are seriously mourning that Manchester United soccer star David Beckham is leaving for Real Madrid, but celebrated the 50^th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation on June 2.  The Queen’s “official birthday” celebration on June 14 included the “Trooping of Colour”, a military march in full ceremonial dress and announcement of “The Queen’s Birthday Honours List” of knighthoods and various awards from the Orders of the Empire.  Prince William also turned 21 in June, although a costumed man interrupted his party after scaling Windsor Castle walls.  The Metropolitan police are still investigating.

Since the UK’s euro “opt out” at the 1992 Treaty on European Union, politicians, the media and the public have wrestled with the euro.  Prime Minister Blair is a fan of the European single currency and the euro’s climb to its highest mark against the dollar occurred this spring.  However, Blair’s political ally/rival, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, is more of a euro-sceptic.  In 1997, Brown outlined five economic tests used to determine if Britain should join the euro.  Brown’s final June report to the Commons said the UK was “not ready” and announced the Government was considering a euro referendum sometime in the future.

Euro supporters continue to grump that businesses pay transaction costs and the anti-euro camp maintains that Blair cannot get a Labour majority to (again) abandon the public’s will.  Some companies have threatened to leave the UK if the British do not switch to the euro by a certain time, but economic factors can be used to support either side.  I think it’s important to remember that the pound has historical and cultural properties.  After talking with many people and listening to the debate, I believe the UK will join the euro in the next three years.

Summer time usually includes British Cabinet changes.  Three weeks ago, Downing Street announced sweeping alterations to personnel and administrative organization.  News includes the retirement of both Lord Irvine and his role as Lord Chancellor—a position dating almost 1,400 years.  Sir Thomas More and Cardinal Wolsey previously served in this powerful position that currently serves as speaker of the House of Lords, oversees English and Welsh courts and judges, and is a Cabinet minister.  Americans call this “powers in three branches of government”.  But, American ideals of “separation of powers” are very different from the UK parliamentary system—one of the most unitary in Europe.

Blair’s proposals create a “Department of Constitutional Affairs” encompassing some of the Lord Chancellor’s powers, Attorney General, and Scottish and Welsh Offices.  Previously, Cabinet-level Scottish and Welsh Secretaries managed their departments inside the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.  Therefore, three Cabinet positions will be eliminated and replaced by a new department head, Lord Falconer.  MPs have complained about lack of administrative explanations, even while embracing more separation of powers.  To an American, the most hysterical thing is the new department’s name when you remember that Great Britain has no written constitution!

Blair also announced that an independent commission will oversee judge appointments and a supreme court would replace the Law Lords as the top appellate body.  The major difference with the US Supreme Court is that a UK Supreme Court cannot reject a bill passed by the House of Commons.

Dr. John Reid’s appointment as Health Secretary angered many English MPs that a Scot would oversee the National Health Service in England.  Scottish and Welsh MPs were irritated that their ministers become junior-level positions and Scottish and Welsh affairs would be addressed by the new Transport Secretary (a Scot) and Leader of the Commons (a Welshman).

Some political analysis says no one is happy—including Downing Street.  It is believed that Prime Minister Blair wanted a Ministry of Justice, but failed to convince the Home Secretary and wanted a Cabinet-level Minister for Europe, but was opposed by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.  And don’t forget that Gordon Brown and the euro.  Perhaps everyone is unhappy.

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Lucas McMillan is a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar studying for a master's degree in international relations at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England. He represents the Rotary Club of Mullins and Rotary District 7770 of South Carolina.

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