This article is from 'bbc', was first published or seen on Sun Apr 20 07:17:14 UTC 2008 and has 4 versions.

It has 3 recommendations - Recommend this revision.

« Previous version
Version 2 Version 3

Royal succession law change due

Sun Apr 20 14:00:44 UTC 2008

Move to change succession laws

Sun Apr 20 16:30:24 UTC 2008

A 300-year-old law which gives males precedence in the royal line of succession is to be abolished.

A 300-year-old law which gives males precedence in the royal line of succession could be abolished.

MPs are expected to use new equality legislation to guarantee a monarch's daughter equal claim to the throne.MPs are expected to use new equality legislation to guarantee a monarch's daughter equal claim to the throne.
Solicitor General Vera Baird said the male right to succeed ahead of an older sister was "unfair".Solicitor General Vera Baird said the male right to succeed ahead of an older sister was "unfair".
She told the Sunday Times that she also wanted to repeal the law forcing royals marrying Catholics to renounce their place in the line of succession.She told the Sunday Times that she also wanted to repeal the law forcing royals marrying Catholics to renounce their place in the line of succession.
The current law, the 1701 Act of Settlement, means male heirs take precedence over the British throne.The current law, the 1701 Act of Settlement, means male heirs take precedence over the British throne.
When Princess Anne was born she was third in line to the throne, behind her mother the Queen - then Princess Elizabeth - and her brother Prince Charles. When Princess Anne was born she was third in line to the throne, behind her mother the Queen - then Princess Elizabeth - and her brother Prince Charles.
As her brothers Andrew and Edward were born she dropped down the line of succession, where she is currently tenth.As her brothers Andrew and Edward were born she dropped down the line of succession, where she is currently tenth.
We can't have a law that is meant to fight discrimination and injustice but allows a blatantly sexist law on royal succession to continue
Lynne Featherstone 		We can't have a law that is meant to fight discrimination and injustice but allows a blatantly sexist law on royal succession to continue
Lynne Featherstone
A draft of the Single Equality Bill is due to be published later this year.A draft of the Single Equality Bill is due to be published later this year.
Andrew Mackinlay, the Labour MP for Thurrock who has previously raised the issue with successive prime ministers, welcomed the move but said changing the law could be difficult.Andrew Mackinlay, the Labour MP for Thurrock who has previously raised the issue with successive prime ministers, welcomed the move but said changing the law could be difficult.
Under the Statute of Westminster 1931 any change would have to be agreed by the parliaments in all countries which have the Queen as head of state.Under the Statute of Westminster 1931 any change would have to be agreed by the parliaments in all countries which have the Queen as head of state.
The Queen is head of state of the UK and 15 other Commonwealth realms, including Australia and Canada.The Queen is head of state of the UK and 15 other Commonwealth realms, including Australia and Canada.
Mr Mackinlay said Ms Baird was "naive" if she believed Westminster could change the rules on its own.Mr Mackinlay said Ms Baird was "naive" if she believed Westminster could change the rules on its own.
Lifting the prohibition on heirs to the throne from marrying Catholics is not straightforward
Nick Herbert
Shadow justice secretary 		Lifting the prohibition on heirs to the throne from marrying Catholics is not straightforward
Nick Herbert
Shadow justice secretary
Shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert said there was "a strong case" for the law change.Shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert said there was "a strong case" for the law change.
But he said it would also raise complicated issues.But he said it would also raise complicated issues.
Mr Herbert said: "Other countries where the Queen is head of state will be affected by these proposals, and lifting the prohibition on heirs to the throne from marrying Catholics is not straightforward as it raises broader issues relating to the established Church.Mr Herbert said: "Other countries where the Queen is head of state will be affected by these proposals, and lifting the prohibition on heirs to the throne from marrying Catholics is not straightforward as it raises broader issues relating to the established Church.
"The government should publish a consultation document so that these matters can be debated properly and the Anglican Church and others can be consulted.""The government should publish a consultation document so that these matters can be debated properly and the Anglican Church and others can be consulted."
Liberal Democrat equalities spokeswoman Lynne Featherstone welcomed the proposed change.Liberal Democrat equalities spokeswoman Lynne Featherstone welcomed the proposed change.
She said: "We can't have a law that is meant to fight discrimination and injustice but allows a blatantly sexist law on royal succession to continue. She said: "We can't have a law that is meant to fight discrimination and injustice but allows a blatantly sexist law on royal succession to continue.
"This is the perfect time to change the law - when there is no-one who will be personally affected. Let's confine this outdated message that men are better than women to the dustbin of history.""This is the perfect time to change the law - when there is no-one who will be personally affected. Let's confine this outdated message that men are better than women to the dustbin of history."