The Queen is unable to perform an effective, independent role as head of state during the current political crisis, campaigners have warned.
Parliament is faced with potential deadlock and a government unable to get its legislation through the Commons. With Tories and the DUP providing an anti-Labour block there is real danger of political paralysis.
Graham Smith, CEO of campaign group Republic, said today:
"If the government can't get it's Queen's speech passed and Labour can't defeat them on a vote of confidence, then we're into dangerous territory."
"If Theresa May resigns on losing a vote on her Queen's speech she will need to advise the Queen on who to invite to form the next government. She won't be able to recommend Jeremy Corbyn as he has a Tory/DUP majority against him."
"The cabinet might rally round and put up one person to replace May, or we're left with May as caretaker PM for weeks while we face a Tory leadership election. All the while we won't know if that new Tory PM can get their second Queen's speech through."
"If not we must hope some Tories or the DUP will support a vote of no confidence to trigger an election, or we'll be faced with extended paralysis."
"At no point can the Queen invite Corbyn to form a government unless the sitting PM advises her to do so, which is unlikely."
"What would be helpful is an independent head of state, one who can make their own decisions about how best to intervene within the constitution, in order to either get a PM in place who can command a majority or trigger fresh elections."
"The Queen is hampered by the expectation she only acts on the PM's advice and that she cannot risk taking a controversial decision. Her impotence is a feature of the monarchy, while an elected head of state can play a real and important role."
Parliament is faced with potential deadlock and a government unable to get its legislation through the Commons. With Tories and the DUP providing an anti-Labour block there is real danger of political paralysis.
Graham Smith, CEO of campaign group Republic, said today:
"If the government can't get it's Queen's speech passed and Labour can't defeat them on a vote of confidence, then we're into dangerous territory."
"If Theresa May resigns on losing a vote on her Queen's speech she will need to advise the Queen on who to invite to form the next government. She won't be able to recommend Jeremy Corbyn as he has a Tory/DUP majority against him."
"The cabinet might rally round and put up one person to replace May, or we're left with May as caretaker PM for weeks while we face a Tory leadership election. All the while we won't know if that new Tory PM can get their second Queen's speech through."
"If not we must hope some Tories or the DUP will support a vote of no confidence to trigger an election, or we'll be faced with extended paralysis."
"At no point can the Queen invite Corbyn to form a government unless the sitting PM advises her to do so, which is unlikely."
"What would be helpful is an independent head of state, one who can make their own decisions about how best to intervene within the constitution, in order to either get a PM in place who can command a majority or trigger fresh elections."
"The Queen is hampered by the expectation she only acts on the PM's advice and that she cannot risk taking a controversial decision. Her impotence is a feature of the monarchy, while an elected head of state can play a real and important role."
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