Parliament : The Monarchy

Question 1

Roles of monarchy

Answer 1

1. Appointing a government
2. Opening and dismissing parliament
3. The queen’s speech
4. The royal assent

Question 2

Appointing a government

Answer 2

Monarch ‘chooses’ the PM but in practice has little choise over this matter because the leader of the largest party in the commons is the only person who can command the confidence of parliament

Question 3

Openeing and dismissing parliament

Answer 3

Opens parliament through the State Opening at the beginning of the parliamentary yeaer. At the request of the PM the monarch ‘dissolves’ parliament in order to allow for a general election to be held

Question 4

The queen’s speech

Answer 4

Speech delievered at the beginning of each parliamentary session and informs parliament of the government’s legislative progrmme. It is written by the PM’s office but delivered by the monarch

Question 5

The royal assent

Answer 5

Final stage of the legislative process, when the monarch signs a bill to officially make it an act. More of a formality, by convention, monarchs never refuse to grant royal assent