In the British Act of Settlement (1701), Parliament ruled that a Catholic by birth or conversion would be barred from sitting on the throne of the United Kingdom.
In order to counter papist intrigue, the British introduced this limitation.
After more than three hundred years, there has been a cessation of major conflicts between the British people and the Vatican. There is no further reason to perpetuate this anti-Romish sentiment.
Prime Minister Cameron has moved for Congress to revise the royal line of succession, permitting future royals of any faith to ascend to the throne. This is a win for religious toleration in a nation which is giving way to greater theological discord, both within the Church of England and the among the Protestant and non-Christian faiths.
Regarding the motion to do away with male primogeniture, Cameron's quest for egalitarian strays too far. For the eldest male to be heir apparent is an acceptable custom, regardless of race or religious background. The surge to equalize a tradition so far removed from the daily life of the Commonwealth bears little effect on advancing the causes of the general population, whether male or female.
Instead of tinkering with tradition, the Conservative-Liberal coalition in Parliament would do better by limiting the growth, scale, and scope of the national government, thereby permitting the freer reign and practice of individual liberty. Token reforms at the royal level will not expedite these necessary changes.
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