Brexit: Monarch is not a constitutional check

Brexit: Monarch is not a constitutional check

For years, supporters of the monarchy have claimed that the Queen represents a significant constitutional check on our politicians and is politically neutral. The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's request to the Queen to prorogue (essentially suspend) parliament for a period, whatever your thoughts are on Brexit, highlighted this contradictory claim. If there's anyone who should not be surprised at the anger being directed at the Queen for her decision to follow hundreds of years of constitutional conventions, it should be those supporters.

Mayor Justin Lester: “it would be wonderful for New Zealand to have an Aotearoa-specific holiday around Matariki”

Mayor Justin Lester: “it would be wonderful for New Zealand to  have an Aotearoa-specific holiday around Matariki”

By Oliver Lovell: A petition to make Matariki a public holiday was launched on Parliament’s website by the organisation New Zealand Republic last week. The petition aims to get 10,000 signatures by Mataraiki next year: May 15. The petition will then be presented to the House of Representatives.