How will Adams stand down?
So Gerry Adams plans to stand down as a Westminster MP so that he can stand for the constituency of Louth in the Irish Parliament.
I am curious as to how Mr Adams plans to do this, as it is quite tricky to resign as an MP.
The traditional route is a procedural device whereby the resigning MP applies either to be Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds of Buckinghamshire, or of the Manor of Northstead.
Both are deemed to be "offices of profit under the Crown" and holding either post then disqualifies somebody from being an MP.
The jobs are given out alternately, and Northstead is next in line. The appointment has to be conferred by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which is just a formality.
All very silly, but that's how it works.
But hang on.
How could a staunch Irish republican like Adams, who has steadfastly refused even to take his seat at Westminster, possibly apply for a job under the British Crown?
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Comment number 1.
At 15th Nov 2010, hrolfk wrote:Does he have to send in his CV?
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Comment number 2.
At 15th Nov 2010, Whelan29 wrote:Is Adams even technically an MP when he has never taken the oath of allegiance?
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Comment number 3.
At 15th Nov 2010, jauntycyclist wrote:norman monarchy is hardly british? the next in line to the throne is half greek?
people locked into tradition worship are people locked into failure.
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Comment number 4.
At 15th Nov 2010, fredbarboo wrote:Not quite true:
"Adams will retain his West Belfast Westminster seat even though he does not attend the House of Commons. He will, however, step down from his seat in the Northern Ireland assembly."
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Comment number 5.
At 15th Nov 2010, stanilic wrote:Do you honestly think that Gerry is going to be all that bothered about the constitutional niceties?
Anyway isn't Louth in Lincolnshire? How come they have a seat in the Dail when Kilburn doesn't?
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Comment number 6.
At 15th Nov 2010, David Boothroyd wrote:There is an interesting alternative if Gerry Adams doesn't want to be a Crown Steward. He could go to Parliament and (without taking the oath) vote in a Division - that would vacate his seat immediately, although he would also be fined £500.
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Comment number 7.
At 15th Nov 2010, jauntycyclist wrote:the 'national' oath is a personal oath to the keeping the privileges of the role gaming monarch [like the ss had a personal oath to hitler]. Nothing about defending the rights and laws of the british people.
we need a new [or to introduce a] national oath that is a national oath not some monarchy role gamers twaddle. Same with the 'national' anthem. Apparently to even suggest different national oaths and anthems is treason. So we also need to scrap the gagging anti free speech treason laws and replace them with laws that deal with crimes against the british people.
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Comment number 8.
At 16th Nov 2010, stanilic wrote:So jaunty you wish to return to the Bill of Attainder? Not a bad idea at all.
Does this also mean you support the death penalty for members of the political class who betray the interests of the other rulers?
I use several oaths many times of the day: quite foul-mouthed really but I have no public image to appease.
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Comment number 9.
At 16th Nov 2010, stevie wrote:he could also appeal to the Chiltern Hundreds...
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