General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSay what you want about the British Political System
If Alito were a British Supreme Court Justice, his resignation would have been submitted yesterday.
That is all.
surfered
(2,462 posts)The majority party elects the Prime Minister, so legislative and executive power are combined.
There is little chance for obstruction for solely political purposes, like the GOP preventing improving the economy, hoping voter dissatisfaction will bring them back to power.
One party is in control and does what it thinks is best for the country and voters judge them on the merits.
If the public doesnt like what they do, they can throw that party out and give power to the other side.
There is accountability with this system.
The Wizard
(12,811 posts)perverts democracy. The reason for representative democracy as envisioned by Aristotle was to protect the 49% from the unmitigated will of the 51%.
We now have a Court and House of Representatives that reflects the will of the minority.
Between gerrymandering, voter suppression, and a highly politicized Mediocre (formerly Supreme) Court our historic experiment is self governance is on the precipice of going full fascist.
A good start would be the Chief Justice demanding Thomas and Alito recuse themselves from all cases involving the failed January 6 coup d'etat as there are clear conflicts of interest.
As of now, the Bribing Class writes the laws and determines who will hold power.
malaise
(277,091 posts)Rec
3Hotdogs
(13,275 posts)malaise
(277,091 posts)Decency has left the institution
mwooldri
(10,371 posts)There are 12 permanent justices, and there can be any number of supplemental justices available for judging a case. Cases are usually judged by a panel of judges, at least 5, but no more than 11 for extremely important cases (and always an odd number). Justices are picked by a panel, sent to the Lord Chancellor, Prime Minister and then the monarch for appointment. Justices must either have been a high court judge for 2 years or a practicing lawyer (barrister) for 15. Also when they reach age 70 (lowered from 75) they have to retire.
Basically, someone like Samuel Alito wouldn't be on the UK Supreme Court, or even a High Court IMO. Also at 74 he would have been retired. The UK system was set up to be apolitical, though yes there are left leaning and right leaning politically inclined judges in the UK system they seem to check their politics at the door when they do their job.
malaise
(277,091 posts)Great response - including the age factor
jaxexpat
(7,604 posts)Could be a moot question (though the court won't discuss it). What, with WWIII playing peek-a-boo every fortnight, the game is afoot.
Howdy, Ma'am.
malaise
(277,091 posts)😀