PM and Palace 'discussed reform'

by **Adam** Thu Mar 26, 2009 10:07 pm

Gordon Brown and Buckingham Palace have
discussed plans to change the rules of succession to the throne,
including giving royal women equal rights.
Downing Street said the scrapping of the ban on heirs to the throne marrying Roman Catholics was also discussed. A Private Members' Bill aimed at ending the discrimination is due to be debated but the government is not backing it.
Meanwhile a BBC poll suggests there is overwhelming public support, with some some 80% backing the bill's proposals. The poll also suggests 76% of Britons want the monarchy to continue after the Queen.

The legislation on reform has been introduced by Liberal Democrat MP
Evan Harris, to end the "uniquely discriminatory" rules laid down in
the 1701 Act of Settlement.

For centuries the rules have endured but the government has
indicated that it is prepared to look at it again, said BBC political
correspondent Ben Wright.

Downing Street confirmed
the prime minister would raise the prospect of the major reforms at a
Commonwealth summit in November, and that dialogue with Buckingham
Palace was ongoing.

Such reform would need the backing of the 15 other Commonwealth countries which have the British monarch as head of state.

Sources at Number 10 have said while the government supports the
"principles and objectives" of the bill, it would not support the bill
itself.

Dr Harris has cross-party support for his
proposals, but a Ministry of Justice spokesman said while the
government "stood firmly against discrimination" there were no
immediate plans to legislate because the changes required were
"complex".

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7967142.stm
Source: BBC NEWS