Issues related with central goverment - Monarchy (part one)

An Outspoken local MP has voiced the opinion that the monarchy has no place in a modern democratic society. Your editor has asked you to research the role played by the monarchy for a piece in next week's paper.

(a) Describe the role played by the monarchy and explain how it is funded.

The UK is a constitutional monarchy, which means that its head of state is a king or queen whose power is defined and limited by the constitution, in contrast to “absolute monarchies (as this country once was).

By the beginning of the 20th century, real political power had been transferred to Parliament through the development of the ministerial system.

But the monarch still plays a number of important roles in the governing of the UK, although most of the Royal Prerogative powers are now exercised by others in the name of the sovereign.

The government, although elected by the people, is still known as Her Majesty's Government (HMG) and we still get official notifications from the state OHMS (On Her Majesty' Service).

The role of the monarchy:

The queen is said to “personify the nation”, standing above party politics as Head of State, but is not head of government, a role in the UK by the prime minister. She represents the “unity and standards of the nation” (as opposed to the state).

By law, the monarch is:

Part of the legislature;

Head of the executive;

Head of the judiciary;

Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces;

Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the established church;

Head of the Commonwealth (and head of state of 15 of its 53 members);

he authority from which the Royal Mint derives its licence to coin and print money
(at present, in his or her image).

The roles and the power that go with them are derived from the Royal Prerogative.

In an age when government holds sway over most key political decisions, the prerogative powers that monarchs personally still exercise are through the following roles and duties:

Reading Queen's Speech at the annual State Opening of Parliament or shortly after a general election;

Governing the Church of England;

'Creating' peers, and conferring knighthoods and honours in person;

Meeting the prime minister once a week usually on Tuesday to discuss Cabinet business and to offer advice on affairs of state;

Entertaining visiting foreign heads of state at Buckingham Palace;

Visiting other nations on official state visits – including those of the Commonwealth – as Britain's premier overseas ambassador;

Chairing meeting of the Privy Council;

Attending the 'Trooping the Colour'

A series of the prerogative powers held by the queen, but normally exercised by others, or by her 'on the advice of her ministers (all government ministers, including the Prime Minister, are Minister of the Crown)'.

It means in most case it is ministers and the prime ministers to take the necessary decision. The powers include:

Dissolving and summoning Parliament, that is, calling election and forming new parliaments after the results are in;

Giving the Royal Assent to Bills passed by Parliament;

Appointing ministers and other senior public officials, including judges, diplomats, governors, officers in the armed forces, police chief constables, and Church of England bishops and archbishops;

Devising the legislative agenda for each parliamentary session (year of Parliament) and writing the Queen's Speech, which will make these proposals public at the State Opening of Parliament;

Declaring war and peace;

The prorogation of Parliament, that is, the suspending of the activities of Parliament (if not Parliament itself) for the duration of holiday periods, such as the Summer Recess, and the annual Christmas and Easter breaks;

Drawing up lists of nominations, in consultation with the leaders of opposition parties, for peerage, knighthoods, and other honour in the New Year Honours List and the Queen's Birthday Honour List;

Issuing 'Royal Pardon';

Raising taxes;

Making treaties;

Dealing with emergencies;