#tynwald explained

[thetynwald-blog]

How do you propose the government would carry out banning all guns as you support?

With legislation. In both Australia and the UK the government passed laws that restricted the possession, use and sale of firearms and gun crime dropped massively.  

[thetynwald-blog]

What is impeachment?

The dictionary definition of impeachment is to call into question the integrity or validity of something. 

However, in the political world, impeachment refers to the act of forcibly removing a politician from office and is most commonly used in relation to the President.

To be forced out of office the (US) President must be impeached, unlike in the UK where the Prime Minister can be removed by their own MPs in a vote of no confidence. 

According to the constitution, to be impeached the President must have committed ‘treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors’. Nixon was impeached after he spied on the Democrats and his own staffers. 

[thetynwald-blog]

What do you think of the notion that 'the left' have become immune to hearing the views of 'the right' because they are blocked out as being "racist" and "sexist" (among other descriptives). Many say that this is especially prevalent in the US and was one of the reasons that led to the rise of Trump - as Democrats (as a whole) refused to entertain the Republicans' views.

Firstly, one point of information. Many confuse the left of the political spectrum with liberalism. Many on the far left are just as nationalistic, and often as racist, as those on the far right. In fact, Jeremy Corbyn (one of the most left wing UK MPs) is a widely-known Brexit supporter despite remain being a position affiliated with the Labour party. In fact, remain was a policy mainly supported by centre-left, liberal and centre-right politicians. This misconception was likely caused by the rise of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), a far-right group that were a large factor in triggering the referendum who associated right wing politics to supporting leave.

It is true, however, that many moderate-left and liberal individuals reject right wing policies as being racist, as many did with the Brexit result.  

Looking at the reaction to right wing policies, Trump is called racist for wanting to build a border wall with Mexico. Is it ridiculous to want to control immigration into the US? His attempted wall is to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the US, where many don’t contribute to the government through taxation, but often enjoy federal provisions such as education for their children.

On the other side of the spectrum, the proposal of a national healthcare system by left wing politicians, such as Bernie Sanders, is often labeled as communist. There is, however, the NHS in the UK to which funding has been protected and increased by a Conservative government proving that it is in no way a communist idea.

To conclude, I believe that whatever political identification, people will seek to find a way to decisively reject views they don’t agree with. Who wants to entertain the idea that something they are opposed to could be a legitimate solution to a problem? It’s easier to be confident in what you believe in if you have the moral high ground.

[thetynwald-blog]

how are the politics in the US affecting the politics of the UK?

Often in current politics it is hard to understand the way institutions and individuals interact both domestically and internationally. The way a national leader (President or PM etc.) interacts with their cabinet, the legislature and foreign powers is only truly understood after they have left office. This is because events are no longer developing and a lot of information becomes declassified. 

However, having been president for only a short amount of time, Trump is already having a clear effect on international politics, most of which concerns the United Kingdom. He has instantly adopted a hawkish foreign policy, recently stating that if need be he would ‘totally destroy North Korea’ and demanding that Iran undergo a regime change.

This strong US presence in international politics affects the whole globe, including the United Kingdom, with many claiming we are living in ‘the cold war part 2′.

However, domestic events in the US have little impact in the UK due to stark differences between the political climate of the two nations. For example, the GOP are close to securing an Obamacare repeal while the NHS (an even more extensive healthcare service) is supported by all major parties in Britain.        

[thetynwald-blog]

If conservatives have more seats why aren't they the majority?

Because they have less then half the seats. There are 650 seats in the UK House of Commons meaning one party needs 326 seats to have a working majority, the conservatives have only 316. This means they can form a minority government (as they have more seats then any other party), but must rely on the support of other parties to pass laws, hence their alliance with the DUP.    

[thetynwald-blog]

Why is Downing Street the location of our government? Why did they choose it, and who was the first prime minister to live at Number Ten.

Firstly, Downing Street is not the centre of the government, largely due to the significance of the Houses of Parliament. It’s purpose is first and foremost the residence and offices of the Prime Minister. It is also where cabinet meetings are held and where the Prime Minister hosts a range of significant political figures. Downing Street also holds the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer at number 11.

Downing Street has been the home of the PM since 1735 but had a long history of political significance prior to this time. King George II presented 10 Downing Street and another abode to Sir Robert Walpole, the Lord of the Treasury (effectively the PM at the time). Walpole refused the gift but instead requested the King make downing street available as his, and future Lords of the Treasury, official residence. Walpole then moved in on the 22nd of September, 1735, and started the tradition that continues today.

For more information about the history of Downing Street check out THIS website. 

[thetynwald-blog]

So parliament has broken up for summer, what if something important happens that they need to discuss. ipk

Parliament’s so called ‘summer holiday’ largely still exists due to tradition, much like many other government proceedings. However, this break is anything but a vacation period for MPs. Constituencies remain open all year round which make up the bulk of most MPs work, especially backbenchers. Moreover, the speaker of the House of Commons can call both houses back if necessary. The last time this happened was following the death of Joanne Cox in 2016.

[thetynwald-blog]

I don't understand how the conservatives can pay the DUP for their votes. Can you please explain ?

In the event of a hung-parliament the leading party, in this case the Conservatives, has 2 options if they wish to hold onto power. 

Form a minority government and rely on/negotiate with other parties to pass legislation (as you need a majority of votes in Parliament to pass laws).

Go into coalition with another party whereby you negotiate a new manifesto and support one anothers policies.

Currently the Conservatives are just shy of a majority but have one when supported by the Democratic Unionist Party. Thus, the 2 parties have negotiated and rather then going into coalition with one another, May has allocated £1 billion extra to the Northern Irish Assembly, where the DUP hold power, in return the DUP will likely support the Conservatives in Parliament.

Therefore, the Conservatives have not directly paid the DUP for their votes, but they have offered Northern Ireland extra funding in return for the support of the 10 DUP MPs.