A Queen? Really? What makes her so special?
Why do the British people, think that she has right to rule over them? The whole concept of monarchy should have been expunged centuries ago.
BTW- British Parliament draws its authority from a grant from the queen, unlike the US government which draws its authority from the consent of the governed with powers delegated to the government from the people.
Wrong, way wrong. Absolute monarchy died starting with the Magna Carta, when the first restrictions on Royal power were imposed by the Barons on King John.
An attempt to reassert Royal preogotives By King Charles I, led to a Civil War, the execution of Charles I, a republic, military dictatorship, the restoration of the Crown, and the deposing of a second King, James II & VII by Parliament and replacing him.
Parliament is sovereign, not the Queen, though the Queen is nominally part of Parliament along with the Lords and the Commons. Only the elected body, the House of Commons has any real power today. And the Queen must always act on the advise of her ministers, who must be supported by the House of Commons.
Her role today is as Head of State,,the symbolic leader of the nation, not the Head of Government (The Prime Minister), who actually sets policy.
From Yahoo! Answers UK and Ireland:
Technically in the UK the Queen has all the following powers:
In domestic matters, the Royal Prerogative covers
* the issuing and withdrawal of passports
* the appointment and dismissal of ministers
* the appointment of Queen’s Counsel
* the granting of honours
* the appointment and regulation of the civil service
* the commissioning of officers in the armed forces
* the dissolution of Parliament
* the calling of elections
In foreign affairs, it covers
* the declaration of war
* the making of treaties
* the recognition of foreign states
* the accreditation of diplomats
However in reality the Queen wields these powers on behalf of the government of the day and if she tried to use them by herself under normal circumstances then it would cause a constitutional crisis. However under the right conditions. Say the current coalition refused to step down at the end of their term and seized parliament. Then the Queen could officially sack the government and command the army to overthrown the coalition and then restoring democracy dissolve parliament and call a general election.
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The “Crown” still holds the seeds of power in British Government. The armed forces swear an oath to the Queen.
” (your name), swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors and that I will as in duty bound honestly and faithfully defend Her Majesty, her heirs and successors in person, crown and dignity against all enemies and will observe and obey all orders of Her Majesty, her heirs and successors and of the generals and officers set over me.”
Wanna go another round?