A response to proposals to change the rules of succession.
This resource is available as an attractive booklet for £2.75 incl P&P here: http://www.repentuk.com/resources.html
‘ … untune that string, And, hark, what discord follows!’ (William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida)
‘The doctrine of the law then is this: that precedents and rules must be followed, unless flatly absurd or unjust: for though their reason be not obvious at first view, yet we owe such a deference to former times as not to suppose they acted wholly without consideration.’ (William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England)
‘And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.’ (Numbers 27:8)
‘My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change.’ (Proverbs 24:21-22)
Written by Robin Phillips and Stephen Green
First published July 2012
Copyright: Christian Voice
Wernlwyd, Pen-y-bont, Carmarthen, SA33 6QN
Telephone: 01994 484544
www.christianvoice.org.uk
email: info@christianvoice.org.uk
Note: Bible quotations are from the Authorised / King James Version
Note: We follow the Parliamentary convention that the Government and the public are both plural.
CONTENTS
1 What is Male Primogeniture? 2
2 The current debate 3
3 Male Primogeniture: Historical and legal background 5
Common Law and the British Constitution 5
Key Statutes regulating succession 6
4 Faulty Arguments against Male Primogeniture 7
Faulty Argument No.1: We want to be modern! 7
Faulty Argument No.2: Most people want a change! 9
Faulty Argument No.3: The succession laws are sexist! 10
Faulty Argument No.4: We’ve had good queens in the past! 13
5 The Implications of Scripture 13
The Genesis creation account 14
The inheritance of the firstborn male 17
The inheritance of daughters 18
Heeding the wisdom of tradition 18
King and king? 20
Weakening the common law 20
Implications for peerages 22
Implications for ordinary families 23
7 Conclusion 24
And finally:
The authors of this paper are always happy to address meetings and debates
Email info@christianvoice.org.uk or telephone 01994 484544 or mobile 07931 490050
‘And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.’ (Numbers 27:8)
‘My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change.’ (Proverbs 24:21-22)
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