Article Preview: Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s important election – in royal political context - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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2015-05-10

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Cyr: Britain's important election – in royal political context By Arthur I. Cyr More Content Now MailTribune.com By Arthur I. Cyr More Content Now Posted May. 8, 2015 @ 7:26 am By Arthur I. Cyr More Content Now Posted May. 8, 2015 @ 7:26 am »  Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> The general election in Britain has confirmed that the nation’s politics are in great flux. The governing Conservative Party, led by Prime Minister David Cameron, has made unpredicted crucial gains. Cameron and company have won a narrow majority in the House of Commons, the half of Parliament which forms governments. The Conservatives’ partner in the coalition government, the Liberal Democrats, has suffered much more significant losses than anticipated. The opposition Labour Party also suffered unexpected losses, with devastating reversals in Scotland. The Scottish National Party (SNP), was the big winner there. This is particularly surprising given Scottish voters’ rejection of independence in a hotly contested referendum last year. Taken collectively, the public opinion polls also have been major losers. They consistently estimated that Conservatives and Labour were tied in public support. The actual voting has turned out much differently. This may be surprising, but is not unprecedented. In 1970 and 1992, the Conservatives secured victory when a loss to Labour was widely predicted. In hindsight, the tough Conservative strategy of raising alarms about the SNP holding a whip hand over the Labour Party was shrewd. As a result, Cameron’s party has done remarkably well in England, contributing to the Liberal Democrat losses as well. Meanwhile, shortly before this election Britain’s Royal Family announced the birth of the newest member. The arrival of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana went smoothly. This also has been big news, though covered separately from the political pages. This masks the fact that the great grandmother of the new princess, Queen Elizabeth II, is the head of state of the United Kingdom, which includes those independent Scots, and plays important if subtle political roles. Over four centuries ago, namesake Queen Elizabeth I was forcefully in charge of the British Isles. Today, royalty and representative government have important complementary functions. In 1867, Walter Bagehot published his important book The English Constitution. He brilliantly described and analyzed the “efficient functions” of Parliament and the “dignified functions” of the monarchy. The former manages the government. The latter performs the ceremonial activities of the nation, by so doing insulating national institutions from the passions of party politics. The United States lacks such a distinction, which helps explain our own durable fascination with the British Royals. Since World War II, the American media and public have paid considerable attention to developments in the British monarchy – the happy, the tragic, and the scandalous. That war helps explain why this is true. Before the United States formally entered the global war, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and government colleagues gave priority to forging close alliance with the Americans. FDR and colleagues reciprocated. Britain’s King and Queen visited the U.S. in June 1939, just before the war began in Europe. Our strategic partnership reinforces joint influence in the extensive areas where interests, commitments and policies overlap. Early this year, British Prime Minister David Cameron while visiting Washington lobbied Congress against further Iran sanctions. There was no significant protest, even from hard-liner Republicans. No other foreign government leader could have done that. Collective British voter movement away from the Conservative and Labour parties is a long-term trend. This was directly reflected in the indecisive result of the previous general election in 2010, which led to the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government. Yet no one doubts the institutions of government will endure. Queen Elizabeth, prudent and responsible head of state, deserves some credit for that – shared credit. Arthur I. Cyr is Clausen Distinguished Professor at Carthage College and author of “After the Cold War.” Contact him at [email protected]. By Arthur I. Cyr More Content Now MailTribune.com By Arthur I. Cyr More Content Now Posted May. 8, 2015 @ 7:26 am » Comment or view comments   /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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