British Monarchy Power

Originally posted by normbenign
So the Queen actually has the powers, but doesn't often use them in practice?

In English common law we can leave and re-enter the country as we please. Passport control is done under Royal perogative. So the power is exercised pretty much continuously. She can also prevent any prosecution which wasn't mentioned above. Basically the advice of the Primeminister is required for her to exercise them. I think that she can force a general election by dismissing a government, but she'd basically have to be right in thinking that the electorate hated them more than any government's been hated in several centuries. There's a Wikipedia page Royal Perogative in the United Kingdom which gives a reasonable summary.

Originally posted by whodey
Corporations are the engines of statists.

They are also the engines of internet misinformation campaigns. Which one is paying you?

In the tiny enclave nation of Lesotho, the unpopular Prime Minister was given permission by the King to dissolve Parliament. This has triggered a civil war.

The Queen has absolute power over Christmas Day from 3:00PM to 3:10PM. That is all.

Last week when Alex Salmond thought he was going to win the independence debate he went to see the Queen, just to check what Scotland would be if it became independent:

AS: "I think Scotland should be a Kingdom and I will be King"
QE2: "No, One doesn't think that is appropriate"
AS: "Then maybe we should be an Empire and I will be Emperor"
QE2: "In One's dreams!"
AS: "OK why not call it a Principality and I will be Prince."
QE2: "No, Mr Salmond, I think we will let it remain a Country and you can carry on as you are!"

Originally posted by invigorate
Last week when Alex Salmond thought he was going to win the independence debate he went to see the Queen, just to check what Scotland would be if it became independent:

AS: "I think Scotland should be a Kingdom and I will be King"
QE2: "No, One doesn't think that is appropriate"
AS: "Then maybe we should be an Empire and I will be Emperor"
QE2: "In ...[text shortened]...
QE2: "No, Mr Salmond, I think we will let it remain a Country and you can carry on as you are!"

Michael Fagin also paid her a visit although I think his motivations were different.

Originally posted by normbenign
So the Queen actually has the powers, but doesn't often use them in practice?

It means having a power as long as you don't try to use it.

Originally posted by thaughbaer
The Queen has absolute power over Christmas Day from 3:00PM to 3:10PM. That is all.

She doesn't need a driving licence!

Originally posted by JS357
It means having a power as long as you don't try to use it.

A lot of the antifederalist papers made the argument that extending the powers of the central government would in the long term lead to tyranny.

The assumption that because a power may not be used immediately that it never will be is a dangerous assumption.

Originally posted by normbenign
The assumption that because a power may not be used immediately that it never will be is a dangerous assumption.

Tell that to the British who live in fear that Liz II
will suddenly decide to use her tyrannical powers.

Originally posted by wolfgang59
Tell that to the British who live in fear that Liz II
will suddenly decide to use her tyrannical powers.

I'm more worried about her Nazi grandson Harry.

Originally posted by normbenign
A lot of the antifederalist papers made the argument that extending the powers of the central government would in the long term lead to tyranny.

The assumption that because a power may not be used immediately that it never will be is a dangerous assumption.

Life is dangerous and then we die.