The British form of government is the basis of the United States Constitution. Yet, looking across "The Pond", one sees the British government is becoming decidedly more Americanized. Most recently, the House of Lords, the Upper House of the British Parliament, lost its judicial functions, which were transferred to a brand new Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. The governments of the constituent countries (Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) aside from England are becoming more devolved and less centralized. For better or worse, it seems the once unitary nature of the British realm is quickly becoming federalized (or fragmented).
However, one aspect of British politics that I feel needs to be imported to America is the parliamentary practice of "Prime Minister's Questions." During this weekly event, a number of questions submitted by Members of Parliament are presented. The British Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers are called to account for their actions and policies before the House of Commons.
Given the increasing power of the Executive Branch in the last 60 years and the rising inefficacy of Congressional oversight, this small change would, I feel, increase governmental accountability and transparency. The yearly State of the Union address, now full of excessive partisanship and politicized applause is simply an obscene marble soapbox that demeans the position of Head of State by relegating the President to the role of "Pundit-in-Chief."
I guarantee you a president or cabinet secretary would think twice before issuing signing statements or ignoring laws and regulations knowing that they would be held accountable for those actions. Who knows, it might even improve Congressional attendance records.
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