Text b Monarchy in Britain

Task: read the text and get ready to discuss its main points.

Great Britain is a monarchy, but the British Queen is not absolute, her powers are limited by Parliament. The power is hereditary and not elective. The Queen is not only head of state, but also an important symbol of national unity. In law she is head of the executive, an integral part of the legislature, head of the judiciary, commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of the Crown and the supreme governor of the established Church of England. Today she is only a formal ruler and does not actually govern. Whatever she does must be done on the advice of the Prime Minister who is politically responsible for the Royal act.

The duties of the Queen are numerous. The Queen summons, prorogues and dissolves Parliament, as a rule she opens each session with a speech from the throne. She must give Royal assent before a bill which has passed all its stages in both Houses of Parliament becomes legal. It is her duty to make appointments to all important state offices, including those of judges, officers in the armed forces, governors and diplomats, and to all leading positions in the church of England. The Queen has the power to conclude treaties, to cede or annex territory, to declare war and make peace. All these matters are conducted in her name by Ministers and their officials.

In reality the Queen has almost no power at all. When she opens Parliament each year the speech she makes has been written for her. She makes no secret of this fact. She very obviously reads out the script that has been prepared for her, word for word. If she strongly disagrees with one of the policies of the government, she might ask the government minister to change the wording in the speech a little beforehand, but that is all. She cannot actually stop the government going ahead with any of its politics.

The Queen has her own Privy Council. The Cabinet developed from this Council which used to be a body of advisers of English monarchs and was the chief source of executive power in the state. As the system of Cabinet developed, the Privy Council declined in importance. It consists of members of the Royal family, the Arch-bishops, colonial governors and all senior Ministers, together with others to whom membership has been given as an honour. There are about 400 Privy Counsellors. There are a number of advisory Privy Council committees. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council established in 1833 is the final Court of Appeal. The Judicial Committee hears appeals from certain Commonwealth countries, from the Channel Islands, from the General Medical Council and other professional bodies. The Commonwealth appellate jurisdiction was formerly regarded as an important unifying influence: it has now dwindled significantly as an increasing number of Commonwealth countries have abandoned the appeal. For example, Canada and India abolished appeals in 1949, Sri Lanka in 1971, Malaysia in 1985, Australia (effectively) in 1986 and Singapore in 1994. The New Zealand government proposes their abolition, and appeals from Hong Kong ended with the territory’s reversion to China in 1997. The Committee’s decision takes the form of advice to the Queen. It is binding on the relevant Commonwealth courts. Cases heard by the Privy Council raise questions of constitutional interpretation. Apart from the appellate jurisdiction, the Judicial Committee may entertain an application for a declaration that a person purporting to be a member of the House of Commons is disqualified by the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975. Finally, Her Majesty may refer any matter to the Judicial Committee for hearing or consideration.

Ex. 1.  Here are the answers to some questions. What are the questions?

1. Queen’s powers are limited by Parliament.(What ...?)

2. The Prime Minister is politically responsible for the Royal act. (Who ... ?)

3. Yes, she summons, prorogues and dissolves Parliament. (Disjunctive)

4. The duties of the Queen are numerous. (Alternative)

5. Yes, today she is only a formal ruler and does not actually govern. (General)

Ex. 2.  Complete the following sentences.

1. The Queen is not only head of state but ... .

2. Today the Queen is only a formal ruler and ... .

3. The duties of the Queen are ... .

4. All the matters are conducted in her name in the state by ... .

5. The Privy Council used to be ...

6. As the system of Cabinet developed, the Privy Council ... .

7. The Privy Council consists of ... .

Ex. 3. Points for discussion.

1. Today the Queen is only a formal ruler.

2. The Privy Council and its Judicial Committee.

Ex. 4. Write about the British monarchy as you see it. Use additional information from p.p. ________. Reflect the following facts:

– the historical background and origin;

– the inheritance to the throne;

– the general atmosphere within the family;

– rank-and-file people's and officials' attitude;

– the view on the monarchy as a social institution from “inside” and “outside”.