June 12, 2003
No more Lord High Chancellor
Tony Blair's decision to scrap the role of Lord Chancellor consigns to history a position that has existed for almost 1,400 years. Ever since Angmendus became the first Lord High Chancellor in 605, the job has been a key part of government and often a road to riches.From the Times of London.The names of those who have held the post, once the most important non-royal position in the land, leap straight from the pages of British history. From Baldrick, in 1075, to Thomas à Becket, Cardinal Wolsey and Sir Thomas More, the office has been the most historic under the Crown. . .
The office is older than any other except the Crown. In precedence, the Lord Chancellor is the second subject outside the Royal Family, ranking only after the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Posted by David on June 12, 2003 9:58 PM
While the office certainly could be modified, i.e. taking away its cabinate rank and judicial role, why not leave the post as the presiding officer of the Lords.
This is yet another example of Mr. Blair throwing the baby out with the bath water!
Posted by: Jonathan M. Jacobs on June 17, 2003 8:44 PM
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