Expert: Phil Woodford - 2/22/2001

Question
Hello!

I am a teeanger from America, and I was wondering what power the queen has in the government and in the general ruling of the country? I thought (and have heard) that she was more of a symbolic figure head or whatever, and it was just a tradition, but my parents said that she rules over England. What is true and what is not?

Thank you!

Answer
Hi Ashley

You're more correct than your parents, although I don't want to start any family feuds!  Historically, the Monarch had pretty much absolute power, but this began to change slowly from the 17th Century onwards.  If you're researching this for school, I suggest you find out some more about the English Civil War on the web, as this was a major turning point.

Broadly speaking today, the Queen is the notional head of state, and the government is officially referred to as "Her Majesty's government".  In reality, her powers are limited.  She signs bills that have been passed by Parliament to turn them officially into law.  She also has some ceremonial duties connected to government, such as the official opening of Parliament once a year.  Technically she consents to the formation of a government and is visited by the Prime Minister on a weekly basis.  (There was a pretty awful relationship between the Queen and Margaret Thatcher, by all accounts, at these meetings!)

In theory, she could create a constitutional crisis by refusing to agree to various things, but unlike the US, Britain has no written constitution.  Public support for the monarchy is not as strong as it once was, so I think she would have a hard job facing down a democratically elected government.

Hope this helps.

Phil W
www.philwoodford.com