Revised Royal Charter channels Charles I’s Royal Prerogative

Here is the revised Royal Charter on press regulation agreed by the three parties. It replaces the draft published in March this year. It begins:

NOW KNOW YE that We by Our Prerogative Royal and of Our especial grace

It seems that Parliament would bring down 300 years of free expression using a principle that parliamentarians like Pym, Hampden, Haselrige, Holles, Strode and the rest fought a civil war to eradicate. And in case you didn’t know: they won that war. Thank Heavens we English like irony!

One can only hope that Her Majesty refuses to sign this document.