US and UK are interesting reflections of each other right now. Government malfunctioning, gridlock, growing public resentment. But Bercow's actions today have set in motion importing something awful from the States: that is, breaking with rules and procedure for short-term gain.
The US has been dealing with the ramifications of the extension of executive power for years. The George W Bush era massively expanded executive power to justify war-time activity - including torture and mass surveillance, sans warrants.
Or take Obama's famous: "I’ve got a pen and I’ve got a phone… And I can use that pen to sign executive orders” – gloating about bypassing a Republican-controlled Congress to advance his economic and immigration agenda.
Now Trump, threatening to use exec powers to spend military money on his border wall.
Dangerous precedents have been set, to avoid a system of checks and balances, leaving Americans vulnerable to the whims of politicians, when they should be protected by structures in place.
Dangerous precedents have been set, to avoid a system of checks and balances, leaving Americans vulnerable to the whims of politicians, when they should be protected by structures in place.
Up till this point, parliamentary procedure seemed like a protected path in the UK, something not to be messed with.
What Bercow did today threatens to import the worst kind of decision-making from America. It erodes faith in vital institutions. Trust me, it's not worth it.
What Bercow did today threatens to import the worst kind of decision-making from America. It erodes faith in vital institutions. Trust me, it's not worth it.
