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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about the Queen

76 replies

Allthestarsarecloser · 11/12/2020 22:09

So say it goes really tits up in the country in January (which of course it will in a no deal brexit) - can the Queen get rid of the government & Boris! If the country is in peril? What’s the protocol? We’ve never had a rogue government before in recent history so what is the precedent?

Just been discussing this at home & have no idea of the answer so AIBU to ask mumsnetters for their thoughts?

OP posts:
Original poster
Allthestarsarecloser · 11/12/2020 22:29

‘believed that in certain extreme circumstances the monarch could dissolve Parliament single-handedly, on the condition that "an occasion has arisen on which there is fair reason to suppose that the opinion of the House is not the opinion of the electors ... A dissolution is allowable, or necessary, whenever the wishes of the legislature are, or may fairly be presumed to be, different from the wishes of the nation."[16]

OP posts:
RizzleDrizzle · 11/12/2020 22:29

I think the queen assent to bills is the queens speech that happens every September

KenDodd · 11/12/2020 22:30

No one voted for food and medicine shortages

Yes they did. They've been going on for the last four years that 'they knew what they voted for' I take them at their word. This is all on Leave voters.

Original poster
Allthestarsarecloser · 11/12/2020 22:30

So basically if the electorate get pissed off (social unrest?) then she could do it - fascinating

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 11/12/2020 22:30

Isn't this like expecting senior management to sort out the dispute in accounts when it's the SMs last year before they retire?

She just wants to keep her head down til the coffin goes down then it's someone else's problem good luck Charlie

Original poster
Allthestarsarecloser · 11/12/2020 22:31

@KenDodd well yes you are right about that- it is ALL on the leavers for sure

OP posts:
ElephantWhaleRabbit · 11/12/2020 22:32

I didn't vote Conservative, nor would I ever, and I think the current government is incompetent. I also voted to remain. However, I'm not sure how you can describe a democratically elected government with an 80 seat majority who are implementing the result of a referendum as a "rogue government". I assume that by "rogue" you mean that you disagree with them.

Original poster
Allthestarsarecloser · 11/12/2020 22:33

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz yes I agree but isn’t Queenie all about duty - so if it’s her duty to act in the best interests of her subjects then who knows! Unlikely but let’s see what the shit show is like in 3 weeks time

OP posts:
KyraGoose · 11/12/2020 22:34

If you voted for it, then you can live with the consequences.

Original poster
Allthestarsarecloser · 11/12/2020 22:35

@ElephantWhaleRabbit I do disagree with them but it’s not what I mean. By rogue I mean breaking international law as they have indicated and putting the safety and security of the population in peril. They are elected by the people and therefore have a duty to act in our best interests. I would argue that food shortages & medicine shortages go against this duty?

OP posts:
RizzleDrizzle · 11/12/2020 22:36

@Allthestarsarecloser

So basically if the electorate get pissed off (social unrest?) then she could do it - fascinating
I think that’s the thing op

As a couple of PP have pointed out that the government were democratically elected on the back of the get brexit done ticket, brexit referumndum wasarguably democratic too, you can’t say they government aren’t disabayimg the electorate.

Her right to dissolve is if she/her advisors believe it is against the electorates wishes, which brexit on the democratic process is not so it would take a massive demonstration such as civil unrest to prove that it was against the electorates wishes

Original poster
Allthestarsarecloser · 11/12/2020 22:36

@KyraGoose I voted remain and Plaid Cymru so no I didn’t vote for ANY of it

OP posts:
StoneofDestiny · 11/12/2020 22:39

No one voted for food and medicine shortages

Those who voted to leave did. Those who voted Tory did.

Original poster
Allthestarsarecloser · 11/12/2020 22:46

Problem is too- the spin will probably be that it’s the EU’s fault when they never asked for any of this and have been dignified all the way through this. They should have told the UK to fuck off ages ago

OP posts:
HyacynthBucket · 11/12/2020 22:50

Probably the best chance of the result you suggest OP is for there to be a vote in Parliament of No Confidence in the prime minister. If he lost the vote (unlikely as he has a 80 seat majority - though who knows if there is a total brexit disaster) - there would have to be a General Election. Even then, it may not be possible to reverse the referendum result and apply to rejoin the EU. very unfortunately.

Original poster
Allthestarsarecloser · 11/12/2020 23:01

@HyacynthBucket yes and sadly, I don’t think labour would get elected anyway

OP posts:
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 11/12/2020 23:10

Basically, under the unwritten constitution, the Queen can refuse royal assent to a Bill, or dissolve Parliament - but she wouldn't actually use those powers.

Cuddling57 · 11/12/2020 23:21

Has no one on this thread seen The Crown? The Queen has spent her life not interfering. She isn't going to change now!

Cuddling57 · 11/12/2020 23:22

Ps. Yes I know it isn't a documentary really.

MaryLeeOnHigh · 11/12/2020 23:23

The best outcome would be for enough Tories to have the balls to join together with the other parties and pass a vote of no confidence in any member of the current cabinet. But I can't see it happening.

SantasBritchesSpelleas · 11/12/2020 23:24

Hmm ... she could, but I doubt she will. Charles I tried it and it didn't exactly end well for him! Grin

MaryLeeOnHigh · 11/12/2020 23:26

@Allthestarsarecloser

Problem is too- the spin will probably be that it’s the EU’s fault when they never asked for any of this and have been dignified all the way through this. They should have told the UK to fuck off ages ago
Yes, it will be. Look at all the obedient Daily Mail readers currently blaming the EU for doing what everyone knew they would do all along. It is quite extraordinary that they don't see that the fault is 100% with Johnson and his corrupt cronies, but they are blinded by the dazzling prospect of keeping dreadful forrins out. Mind you, not sure how Johnson is going to keep pulling the wool over their eyes when they discover that immigration is carrying on just as easily as ever.
Brighterthansunflowers · 11/12/2020 23:28

Technically yes she can

But having spent 60 years not interfering in politics she’s not going to start now.

I Hate the current government and what they’re doing to the country with Brexit. But tragically a large proportion of the country voted for them (god help the rest of us!). The queen would never overturn a democratically elected government, no matter how much of a shitshow they are.

reginafelangee · 11/12/2020 23:30

Sorry but we live in a democracy so you need to wait for the next election and cast a vote to change the government.

PawPawNoodle · 11/12/2020 23:32

You're getting parliament and government mixed up, dissolving parliament doesn't vacate ministerial positions, it just means that the house of commons isn't working.

Anyway, the royal perogative in relation to dissolving parliament is redundant now as there's a law to make it automatic, the PM doesn't need to pop round to the Palace and ask her nicely any more.