Crown influence on politics Flashcards
1
Q
what influence did the crown have in 1870’s?
A
George III
- could choose / appoint the PM (e.g. Pitt in 1783)
Peerage / Lords
- could create new peerage
Sinecures
- controlled by Monarch
2
Q
what were the Factors that decreased the Crown’s influence?
A
- Economic Reform
- Reform Act 1832
- William IV & Melbourne
- The Bedchamber Crisis
- George V
3
Q
how did the Reform Act 1832 affect the Crown’s Influence?
A
- the King was pressured into appointing new Whig peers to combat resistance from the Lords
- No longer easy for king to appoint and dismiss ministers as before
- King could no longer rely on the patronage to maintain control
- Public opinion and party politics were more influential
4
Q
how did William IV and Melbourne’s Government affect the Crown’s Influence?
A
- Whigs won 1832 election
- Melbourne was dismissed as PM by William IV due to proposed reforms of Irish Church
- appointed Peel to form government but he had to resign due to lack of Tory seats (275)
- Shows how crown can no longer choose PM without majority parliamentary support
5
Q
how did the Bedchamber Crisis affect the Crown’s Influence?
A
- Queen Victoria came to power 1837
- Lord Melbourne resigned 1839 following defeat in Commons
- Peel invited to from new government
- customary for incoming PM to appoint allies in the royal household
- However Victoria refused to change her bedchamber ladies from Melbourne’s
- Peel refused to become PM
- Victoria didn’t expect this and didn’t act against the wishes of the PM again
6
Q
how did the George V affect the Crown’s Influence?
A
- Crown has power to reject a bill passed by both houses
- 1914 George V opposed a bill passed to grant Home Rule to Ireland
- But he gave it his royal ascent anyway
- He also handled the 1923 election with neutrality rather than personal preference / interest
- He followed the advice of ministers through the 1910-14 constitutional crisis
- Shows how Crown became more passive in politics despite their power
7
Q
A
