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30 second hypothetical
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
We have no written constitution in the UK, right?
Therefore, what mechanisms are there in place to stop the Queen from acting, other than she would be advised not to do so.
For example:
The Queen invites an MP to form a government following the General Election. It has always been the leader of the winning party. What if it wasn't? What if she chose, let's say, Charles Kennedy?
How could she be stopped?
For another example:
Tony Blair wants to declare war on Iraq. In order to move to a state of war, the Queen, as constitutional monarch and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, has to declare war.
So what happens if she decides she doesn't want to? Or, better yet, that war on Iraq is not right for the country, and hence, she contravenes Tony Blair's intention?
How could this be checked?
Therefore, what mechanisms are there in place to stop the Queen from acting, other than she would be advised not to do so.
For example:
The Queen invites an MP to form a government following the General Election. It has always been the leader of the winning party. What if it wasn't? What if she chose, let's say, Charles Kennedy?
How could she be stopped?
For another example:
Tony Blair wants to declare war on Iraq. In order to move to a state of war, the Queen, as constitutional monarch and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, has to declare war.
So what happens if she decides she doesn't want to? Or, better yet, that war on Iraq is not right for the country, and hence, she contravenes Tony Blair's intention?
How could this be checked?
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Comments
It would be a tough one and would depend on public opinion, if she acted against that then we would eventually see the end of the Monarchy. The Govt would push through legislation, very fast.
Yes, but there's a problem with that, too.
Constitutionally, the Queen has to approve all legislation. So she can refuse to rubber stamp legislation against her actions, can't she?
Basically though the legislation being passed could remove that right from her once it had passed through the Commons.
The Queen says no.
She has on her side the Armed Forces, all of whom swear an oath of loyalty to the monarch, not the country.
She also has a fair amount of popular and wealthy support.
How do we enforce a republic?
We can't stage a coup d'etat, because the Queen isn't the whole state. Parliament would have to declare war on itself.
We can't kill her, because the succession comes in to play, and Charles will be similarly respected. We can't feasibly recreate the Romanov scenario.
What would we do?
Seriously though, you assume that the Armed forces would support the Queen. If you consder that MPs must swear an oath to her too, then the situation shouldn't arise.
Look around the world, how many Republics have come about without a Civil War?
A representative stated that he knew Tony Blair could send troops into Iraq without consulting Parliment....but didn't he think it was a good idea if he had Parliment's backing. And Tony Blair said that although he could send troops in without Parlimentary consultations...he wouldn't.
But the mood of Parliment was later evident when it came to passing a necessary law regarding terrorism. The representatives basically told Tony Blair not to wait for new laws to protect the country. He was to do what he had to do without waiting.
Much of the British constitution is convention. What's your point?
Germany, Italy.