Tony Blair, Steward and Bailiff
While Gordon Brown is in the mood for constitutional change, he might consider removing the bizarre historical anomaly which prohibits MPs from resigning their seats. Instead, they are required to make an application to serve as stewards and bailiffs of the . Thus, of that esteemed troop of former MPs. Surely if even the monarch is permitted in law to abdicate, MPs should be allowed to step down without the need for a Monty-Pythonesque office of the Crown?
Incidentally, perhaps you saw Will Hutton's excellent documentary "The Last Days of Tony Blair" last night on Channel 4. Hutton and his camera crew followed the current Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds during his last weeks in office. In one scene, the PM, on a visit to an IT unit, is heard reading out a website address. Seconds later, he is heard asking an aide, "What does WWW mean?" He was obviously very busy for the past decade.
Comments
What then happened in 1985 when all 15 Unionist politicians resigned their seats in protest against the Anglo Irish Agreement to force by-elections? Did they serve as stewards and Bailiffs the C.H.
hey bill,
will's right.MPs can't resign their seats. They apply for the chiltern hundreds (which is a PAID post!). Then a by election is held.
If you click on the 'Chiltern Hundreds' link that Will has provided you shall see a list of all MPs that have signed the Chiltern Hundreds between 1970 and 2000. All 15 Unionist are listed.
Some significant figures in British politics are on that list. The likes of Brian Walden and Robert Kilroy Silk resigned and pursued television careers, whilst Roy Jenkins, Leon Brittan, Neil Kinnock and Peter Mandleson all left parliament to become European Commissioners.