Political Crossfire Forums

[satisfaction]

I am curious to know, what exactly is the role of the monarchy in the U.K.? Sorry if I'm coming on as an "ignorant American."

[DSwain]

Nothing ignorant about asking a good question!

The UK is a constitutional monarchy like Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain. The monarch - currently Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - is our head of state. There are a number of 'big' roles.

Appointing the PM, the government
The monarch 'appoints' the Prime Minister and the government. Of course, it's through elections that Britons decide on who will form our government, but constitutionally the monarch 'invites' one of our political party leaders to form a government. The morning after a general election, the leader of the winning political party attends on the monarch at Buckingham Palace and is invited to form the government.

Signing off on legislation
Just as in the US with the White House being the last port of call for acts of legislation, so it is here with Buckingham Palace. The monarch gives Royal Assent to all pieces of legislation that pass through the Houses of Parliament. In practice, this is a rubber stamp exercise - however, constitutionally the monarch could refuse to sign. This would tip-off a constitutional crisis, but it's one criticism that some Brits have about the monarchy.

Defender of the faith
The monarch is head of the Church of England, the most prevalent religion among Britons (numerically); this was the religion established by Henry VIII.

Head of the Commonwealth
The monarch is head of the Commonwealth - the association of 52 former British Empire possessions (plus Mozambique which was Portugeuese but joined some years ago). HM Queen Elizabeth II has presided over the growth in the Commonwealth and seems to feel it is one of her prime concerns. The Commonwealth politically and economically has next to no power - this is nothing of the scale of the EU, NATO or NAFTA. There are no common trade or defence agreements between CW countries per se (although of course bi-lateral agreements do exist and other treaty organisations such as NATO). The Queen is also head of state for countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The monarch appoints a Governor-General to represent him on the spot. Interestingly, the G-G in Canberra sacked the Australian PM, Gough Whitlam, in 1975 - sparking a constitutional crisis that led to a growth in republicanism in Australia.

A political role
The monarch and the Royal Family is not supposed to speak on political matters. Of course, this opens the question 'what constitutes a politcal matter?' The current Prince of Wales - the heir to the throne - is vocal on the environment, is this 'political'? The Prime Minister attends on the monarch for a weekly audience at which political matters are discussed, in private naturally. All resigning PM's during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II have said how much they valued these audiences, although it's known that relations have been more fraught between the Queen and certain PM's than others; reputedly, Mrs Thatcher and the Queen did not get on too well.

Head of the armed forces
Service personnel swear an oath of allegiance to the monarch, as do police officers and members of the security services.

[satisfaction]

Ahh, I see, thank you.

[Pebble]

Just another side note: Technically the monarch has some political power, they have the right to veto legislation. However this power has not been used in 2-300 years, I forget the exact figure. Most surmise that if a monarch was to veto legislation, particularly without public support then Parliament would vote to dissolve the monarchy.

[DSwain]

Pebble wrote: Just another side note: Technically the monarch has some political power, they have the right to veto legislation. However this power has not been used in 2-300 years, I forget the exact figure. Most surmise that if a monarch was to veto legislation, particularly without public support then Parliament would vote to dissolve the monarchy.

Indeed - the veto rests in the power of the Royal Assent

[AKAMad]

satisfaction wrote: I am curious to know, what exactly is the role of the monarchy in the U.K.? Sorry if I'm coming on as an "ignorant American."

The ignorant American is the one who doesn't think they need to ask.

[DSwain]

AKAMad wrote: satisfaction wrote: I am curious to know, what exactly is the role of the monarchy in the U.K.? Sorry if I'm coming on as an "ignorant American."

The ignorant American is the one who doesn't think they need to ask.

Well said

[bob.appleyard]

The Royal Prerogative extends further than DSwain's post. While I understand that he was only intending to cover the big ones, there is one that is particularly interesting -- the power to sign treaties. This is particularly important with regards to the EU, as all EU laws and regulations count as treaties. This means that, in theory, only thhe monarch has to consider them before signing. Like other aspects of RP, however, this has been "contracted out" to Whitehall. The implications of this should be clear.

[Shuya Nanahara]

satisfaction wrote: I am curious to know, what exactly is the role of the monarchy in the U.K.? Sorry if I'm coming on as an "ignorant American."

over paid council tenants and welfare blaggers.