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by GuruOfAllKnowledge on December 9th, 2003

GuruOfAllKnowledge

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Does the royal family of Britain have any actual political power?

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  • by Drinking Dano on February 10th, 2004

    Drinking Dano

    Both of these answers are right, but they haven't exactly hit the nail on the head so to speak.

    The Queen DOES IN FACT have some rather powerful political uses. She does call upon (typically) the Leader of the Party who maintains the most seats in the House of Commons. This is not to say however, that this Party itself has the majority of seats in the whole house.

    The Government of the United Kingdom, (As well as Canada, Australia and 14 other countries) have NO mechanism for starting or stopping the business of Government. No session of Parliament can start with out the Queen (Or in her other Realms, her Representative, Usually a Governor General) opening it via a Speech from the Throne, and the business of Government does not (technically) end until the Prime Minister goes to the Queen (Or, again, in her other Realms, her Representative, Usually a Governor General) to request that Parliament be disbanded and to request a writ be made to order a new election.

    One of the most important effects of this power, is that no bill may become law unless the Queen signs it. This effectively gives the Crown final say so over any abusive legislation that could harm Her Majesty's subjects.

    This use of Constitutional Monarchy ensures that any Government of the day is simply a "temporary holder" of the Crown's legal authority, and thusly, any Government who becomes too abusive of these powers can be removed with the stroke of a pen.

    Admittedly, something VERY BAD would have to happen in order for these powers to be used; but rare use of powers does NOT make them useless.

    http://www.danphilp.ca/maplekingdom

    Comments

    • I don't know, maybe people just don't know a good answer when they see one :)

      Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony

      by Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony on July 1st, 2004

    • Well, congratulations on offering an excellent answer!

      Answers101

      by Answers101 on February 27th, 2006

    • In 1982 Canada became independent with the 'Canada Act'. Our government is our own, and in no way controlled by the British Parliament.

      kuhboom

      by kuhboom on November 19th, 2010

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