What power does the queen have?

analog · 28 Apr 2009 at 17:31

Over Clocker said:
Nope. If it actually really came down to it, she has the power to disolve Parliament, kick out the PM etc etc

Also, in relation to countries like Canada, Australia etc etc:
"Her Majesty, as Head of State of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth Realms, has the right to use the Royal Prerogative over any nation where she is Head of State"

Infact, in 1974, The Queen used her Reserve Power to dissolve parliament and when Edward Heath attempted to remain in power.

Sounds like someone did their homework

I will take your word for it.

Pilky01 · 28 Apr 2009 at 17:33

She has to approve all legislation, she appoints the PM she opens parliament among other things.

In reality she just gets paid a lot to do nothing of use.

PhillyDee · 28 Apr 2009 at 18:19

Jamesdavid3 said:
She sits on her fat arse all day, and does a speech once a year at Christmas, apart from that shes worthless.

I hope she doesnt have long left. Then we have Charles... oh god how boring will that be!

Do you really believe that?

I watched a documentary on what the Queen actually does, and it did open my eyes. I just wished I could remember what it was called.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1183855,00.html

This is pretty much summing all of that.

Oh, anyway, I couldnot help laugh at:

Conscript said:
160bhp, but she can be remapped.

Over Clocker · 28 Apr 2009 at 22:15

Jamesdavid3 said:
She sits on her fat arse all day, and does a speech once a year at Christmas, apart from that shes worthless.

I hope she doesnt have long left. Then we have Charles... oh god how boring will that be!

Are you stupid?

They actually work a lot harder than most regular people...

RDM · 28 Apr 2009 at 22:42

Over Clocker said:
Because EU law does not effect the UK unless actually passed as a UK law, the Queen's powers could in theory be used to suspend the European Human Rights laws etc. In other EU countries, EU law supersedes their national laws.

I didnt think that was the case? I thought the EU issued directives and it was then up to the nation states to enact laws to enforce those directives? I didn't think the UK was unique.

Over Clocker · 5 Jun 2009 at 09:11

Bit of thread resurrection here - but I wonder how many people would actually protest if the Queen used her power to resign parliament and force a general election?

Fenris · 5 Jun 2009 at 09:24

Over Clocker said:
Bit of thread resurrection here - but I wonder how many people would actually protest if the Queen used her power to resign parliament and force a general election?

I wouldn't complain, it would prove she's not a complete waste of space and tax money because she has the stones to do something with her supposed "power".

Problem is, the monarchy in this country has a lot of "power" in theory but in practice they have very little.

Cosimo · 5 Jun 2009 at 09:26

Over Clocker said:
Bit of thread resurrection here - but I wonder how many people would actually protest if the Queen used her power to resign parliament and force a general election?

In the current climate probably not very many but I wonder whether the politicians would ever let the monarch do it again.

Tom0 · 5 Jun 2009 at 09:28

Over Clocker said:
Bit of thread resurrection here - but I wonder how many people would actually protest if the Queen used her power to resign parliament and force a general election?

I wouldn't complain, if its come to that its obviously a poor state of affairs and would probably be welcomed. If it happened when people were happy with how the country is run, then logically the same party would be voted back in to continue.

I think the only thing that'd cause a bit of a fuss would be if she forced a coalition goverment.

shauncr91 · 5 Jun 2009 at 09:31

Conscript said:
160bhp, but she can be remapped.

Lmao

Freefaller · 5 Jun 2009 at 09:37

She's kept her head.

That;s a pretty cool power from where I'm from

J.T · 5 Jun 2009 at 10:44

I heard that she can Cyber without evening being connected to the internet and when she does she really does put on a wizard hat and cloak!

J.T · 5 Jun 2009 at 11:14

I love the Queen, I think she is fantastic and to be honest think we would be better off is she was running the country proper rather than the fools we keep getting in charge! and I agree 100%, I would be right behind her if she did force an Election.

Long live the Queen!

Phog · 5 Jun 2009 at 11:23

arknor said:
kicking her out and turning the palaces into museums would bring in more tourist money

You can visit most of the places anyway. :confused:

DampCat · 5 Jun 2009 at 11:23

I'd be quite impressed if she forced a general election. I still wouldn't vote, but it'd renew my mild sympathies for the royals. They're not a bad bunch, and as mentioned earlier, it certainly beats "President Brown".

I get around · 5 Jun 2009 at 11:31

She can end.
THE GAME

WasteTimeChangingCars · 5 Jun 2009 at 11:35

not much she just makes the place look nice

HamZilla · 5 Jun 2009 at 12:41

The power of Grayskull.

DampCat · 5 Jun 2009 at 12:43

"You remind me of the Queen"
"What Queen?"
"the Queen with the Power!"
"What power?"
"The power of Voodoo!"
"Who do?"
"You do"
"do what?"
"Remind me of the Queen!"

Angilion · 5 Jun 2009 at 22:33

Over Clocker said:
Bit of thread resurrection here - but I wonder how many people would actually protest if the Queen used her power to resign parliament and force a general election?

At the moment, probably not many. Personally, I don't want the monarch to use their theoretical powers, although I do want to keep the monarchy and for the monarch to keep their theoretical powers. It might be extremely useful for the country at some point. I think the current situation isn't bad enough to warrant it, but if she did dissolve the current government and thus force a general election, I'd laugh. I'd be concerned as well, but my first reaction would be to laugh. Especially if she either wrote her own speech or, with a nice touch of irony, dismissed them with the same words Cromwell used.

You have sat here too long for the good you do.

Or the full speech, which is wonderfully insulting and largely very appropriate.

“...It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonoured by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.

“Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter'd your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?

“Ye sordid prostitutes, have you not defil'd this sacred place, and turn'd the Lord's temple into a den of thieves by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress'd; your country therefore calls upon me to cleanse the Augean Stable, by putting a final period to your iniquitous proceedings, and which by God's help and the strength He has given me, I now come to do.

“I command ye, therefore, upon the peril of your lives, to depart immediately out of this place! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. You have sat here too long for the good you do. In the name of God, go!”