How much power does the English Queen actually hold?

Question

Does the Queen hold more power then the Prime Minister? Can she abolish the Prime Minister? If the Prime Minister and Queen disagree on how to handle an issue, Who has the FINAL say?

Answer 1

I don't think she really has much, if any power. Britian has a parlimentary goverment and as you said the Prime Minister has the highest power. I think the royal family is more of a wealthy important family in Britian. The officials in parliment are voted in just like the US. It is a democracy so I wouldn't think that one person could have so much power otherwise it wouldn't be a democracy.

Answer 2

She is not an absolute power and must work with whatever elected government there is.The Queen is an advisor for her government and can cast the tie-breaking vote only when necessary. Here is her role in government according to http://www.royal.gov/uk

which is Buckingham Palace's website:

"Monarchy is the oldest form of government in the United Kingdom.

In a monarchy a king or queen is Head of State. The British monarchy is known as a constitutional monarchy. This means that, while The Queen is Head of State, the ability to make and pass legislation resides with an elected Parliament. Although the British Sovereign no longer has a political or executive role, he or she continues to play an important part in the life of the nation.

As Head of State, The Queen undertakes constitutional and representational duties which have developed over one thousand years of history. In addition to these State duties, The Queen has a less formal role as 'Head of Nation'. She acts as a focus for national identity, unity and pride; gives a sense of stability and continuity; officially recognises success and excellence; and supports the ideal of public and voluntary service.

In all these roles The Queen is supported by members of her immediate family.

Find out more about the role of the monarchy in this section...

Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a king or queen acts as Head of State, while the ability to make and pass legislation resides with an elected Parliament.

The Sovereign governs according to the constitution - that is, according to rules, rather than according to his or her own free will.

Although the United Kingdom does not have a written constitution which sets out the rights and duties of the Sovereign, they are established by conventions. These are non-statutory rules which can bind just as much as formal constitutional rules.

As a constitutional monarch, The Queen cannot make or pass legislation, and must remain politically neutral. On almost all matters The Queen acts on the advice of ministers.

However, the Sovereign retains an important political role as Head of State, formally appointing prime ministers, approving certain legislation and bestowing honours.

The Queen also has official roles to play in other organisations, such as the Armed Forces and the Church of England...

The British Sovereign can be seen as having two roles: Head of State, and 'Head of the Nation'.

As Head of State, The Queen undertakes constitutional and representational duties which have developed over one thousand years of history.

There are inward duties, with The Queen playing a part in State functions in Britain. Parliament must be opened, Orders in Council have to be approved, Acts of Parliament must be signed, and meetings with the Prime Minister must be held.

There are also outward duties of State, when The Queen represents Britain to the rest of the world. For example, The Queen receives foreign ambassadors and high commissioners, entertains visiting Heads of State, and makes State visits overseas to other countries, in support of diplomatic and economic relations.

As 'Head of Nation', The Queen's role is less formal, but no less important for the social and cultural functions it fulfils.

The Queen's role is to:

Perform the ceremonial and official duties of Head of State, including

representing Britain to the rest of the world;

Provide a focus for national identity and unity;

Provide stability and continuity in times of change;

Recognise achievement and excellence;

Encourage public and voluntary service.

These include: providing a focus for national identity, unity and pride; giving a sense of stability and continuity; recognising success, achievement and excellence; and supporting service to others, particularly through public service and the voluntary sector.

These roles are performed through different types of engagement.

By means of regular visits through every part of the United Kingdom, The Queen is able to act as a focus for national unity and identity.

Through her engagements and walkabouts, The Queen is able to meet people from every walk of life. The Queen's unifying role as Sovereign is also shown in her special relationships with the devolved assemblies in Scotland and Wales.

In addition, at times of national celebration or tragedy, The Queen publicly represents the nation's mood - for example, at annual commemoration of the war dead on Remembrance Sunday, or at celebrations for a national sporting victory.

The Queen also has an essential role in providing a sense of stability and continuity in times of political and social change. The system of constitutional monarchy bridges the discontinuity of party politics.

While political parties change constantly, the Sovereign continues as Head of State, providing a stable framework within which a government can introduce wide-ranging reforms.

With more than five decades of reading State papers, meeting Heads of State and ambassadors and holding a weekly audience with the Prime Minister, The Queen has an unequalled store of experience upon which successive Prime Ministers have been able to draw.

The Queen is able to recognise success and achievement in a personal way. These include honours, awards, visits, patronage and sponsorship. At Investitures, for example, The Queen honours individuals for public service or outstanding achievement.

She also hosts garden parties to which guests from all backgrounds are invited, most of whom are nominated by charities or public sector organisations for their service to their communities.

And in the thousands of messages sent by The Queen each year to people celebrating their 100th birthdays or diamond weddings, The Queen is able to give special and personal recognition of remarkable individuals.

The Queen also supports service to others, through close relationships with the voluntary and charitable sector. About 3,000 organisations list a member of the Royal Family as patron or president. The Queen has over 600 patronages and The Duke of Edinburgh over 700.

In all these roles, The Queen is supported by members of the Royal Family, who carry out many of the engagements which The Queen cannot undertake in person."

Answer 3

SHe actualy has alot more power than most ppl think. SHe like the president ahs the ability to wage war with a country for up to 90 days. she can claim territory anywhere in the world. and she has the ability to impose martial law in the united kingdom for up to 72 hours.

Answer 4

The Queen is only a constitutional monarch and has no definitive powers of government. She can disagree with an elected PM (as can anyone) but she cannot influence policy or related issues. All acts of parliament are given to her for the royal seal so technically she could refuse to give it, but that can still be by-passed.

She can't abolish the PM or parliament - that was one of the reasons behind the cause of the Civil War and why monarchs are only constitutional now.

Answer 5

Although the Queen is mainly a titular figurehead - she is responsible for convening and dismissing the English Parliament.

The PM has more political power - but not as much clout.  Parliament has the final say.

Answer 6

The Prime Minister hold all the power. The queen now , is not like the queen back then. The royal family is just like a representation of what it used to be. They just have money, as far as the decisions for the country they can't get involved. that's what I believe.

Answer 7

The British monarchy is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories, and holds the now constitutional position of head of state. According to convention, the Queen's powers are exercised upon the advice of her prime minister. She does however possess certain reserve powers which she may exercise at her own discretion.

In the UK, the Queen (or King, when there is a male monarch) has numerous theoretical personal prerogatives. In practice, however, with the exception of the appointment of a prime minister, which is done with every prime minister, there are few circumstances in modern British government where these could be justifiably exercised; they have rarely been exercised in the last century. These powers could be exercised in an emergency such as a constitutional crisis. The monarch's personal prerogatives are:

- The refusal to dissolve Parliament when requested by the Prime Minister.

- To appoint a Prime Minister of her own choosing.

- The dismissal of a Prime Minister and his Government on the Monarch's own authority.

- The refusal of the Royal Assent.

- The refusal of the "Queen's Consent," where direct monarchical assent is required for a bill affecting, directly or by implication, the prerogative, hereditary revenues—including ultimus haeres, treasure trove, and bona vacantia—or the personal property or interests of the Crown to be heard in Parliament.

It has long been established in the uncodified Constitution of the United Kingdom that political power is ultimately exercised by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, of which the Sovereign is a non-partisan component, along with the House of Lords and the House of Commons, and by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Thus, as the modern British monarchy is a constitutional one, the Sovereign's role is in practice limited to non-partisan functions (such as being the fount of honour).

In practice, political power is exercised today through Parliament and by the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The sovereign also holds the title of Supreme Governor of the established Church of England. The monarch holds a weekly audience with the Prime Minister, as well as regular audiences with other members of the Cabinet. The monarch may express his or her views, but, as a constitutional ruler, must ultimately accept the Prime Minister's and Cabinet's decisions.

Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_mon...

Answer 8

The Queen has the power to invite anyone to form a government in her name. Generally this is the head of the party that wins the election. The government is her government, as she is head of state. She has the right to summon any member of the government to consult her on issues. She also holds a weekly meeting with her Prime Minister, where she is informed of all matters of state. She has the right to advise, consult, and warn the government on all matters. She can also dismiss the government, and the parliament. And parliament can not start it's business for the session without her opening it. She also is the person to declare war. She has the right to pardon criminals.

Answer 9

Great Britain's Queen is really a figurehead.  These days, power rests with Parliament and the prime minister.

Answer 10

480 volt AC current at about 50amps, I think.

Answer 11

Very little, in practicle terms.  I believe she can request the PM's resignation, but can't make him resign.  She cannot abolish the office of the PM.  If the two disagree, I believe the issue must go before the full Parlement to be resolved.