Does The British Government need to create an Act of parliament or hold a vote in order to go to war?

Question

The question arisies is that the Privvy Council can declare war with the Monarch and the role of the Parliament is to supply money to pay for it. So does Parliament have to declare war too?

Answer 1

I think, technically, you are correct that Parliament does not need to vote for a war. However, this would smack of absolute monarchy, and would be likely, I think, to be very unpopular. (If there was a popular case for war, then it could be simply voted through Parliament - why would the monarch need to intervene?)

As far as I know there has not been a war called by a monarch since the English Civil War and the dissolution of Parliament by Charles I. (source 1)

Nowadays - technically you are correct, but it is very unlikely to ever happen. The monarch could, however, be used as a last resort in the event of a revolutionary situation (see cartoon - source 2).

Answer 2

I'm not sure but Russia and Parliament are both Governments so it may be that the Monarchy (Her Majesty Elizabeth II) may not be involved but can say if war is to happen or deny  the UK to be involved, Sorry but I'm not so sure!

Answer 3

Declaration of War is a Royal Prerogative and the Government only needs to seek the Queen's signature to issue a Declaration of War.

However, in the last half-century this prerogative has become increasingly under the control of Parliament, and it is not conceivable that a future government could go to war without subjecting the decision to a vote of the House of Commons.

The decision to attack Iraq in 2003 was subjected to two major debates in the Commons.  While their decision would not be de jure binding, in reality, no government would be capable of surviving without the support of the Commons and would be required to resign.

So while officially there is no requirement, in reality, it has become a requirement.

I am, moreover, opposed to suggestions that Declarations of War powers of Parliament should be codified into an Act - the danger here is that the process would become destabilised and ossified.  The definition of 'Declaration of War' can so easily be too strictly narrowed, allowing governments freedom of action to outmaneouvre Parliament.

This is the case in the United States, which does codify Declaration of War powers, and half of the occasions the United States has gone to war in the last half-century have not been subjected to Congress.

If we keep them uncodified, the House of Commons has freedom of action to assert itself with essentially limitless powers over the Governments' movements.

Answer 4

I dont know the answer to your question, but I know the government goes to war against the wishes of the people, were does that leave Democracy?

Answer 5

The P.M. can decide to go to war without an Act or anything, they did this with the Iraq war.

Answer 6

Ask a Brit... American here and as I remember from 8th grade the King or if there is only a queen can declare war anytime if the prime minister has not already called a vote with parliament. Then I think he/she has to get the king/queens approval.  But I could be horribly wrong.    

Answer 7

They need to enact an Act of Parliament. They don't have to vote.