Reforming Britain's War Powers
By Sebastian Payne
6 Aug 2007
It is ironical that the most obscure aspect of the British constitution has become one of the most hotly contested: the royal prerogative, the surviving ancient powers of the crown. Far from being minimal and ceremonial, these relate to some of the key functions of government: deployment of the armed forces; declarations of war; peace-making; treaties; direction of the civil-service, alongside others that relate to the operation of Parliament and the turning of bills into law (the granting of royal assent). A royal prerogative counts as law as much as an Act of Parliament and is given effect by Orders in Council (from the Privy Council).
6 Aug 2007
It is ironical that the most obscure aspect of the British constitution has become one of the most hotly contested: the royal prerogative, the surviving ancient powers of the crown. Far from being minimal and ceremonial, these relate to some of the key functions of government: deployment of the armed forces; declarations of war; peace-making; treaties; direction of the civil-service, alongside others that relate to the operation of Parliament and the turning of bills into law (the granting of royal assent). A royal prerogative counts as law as much as an Act of Parliament and is given effect by Orders in Council (from the Privy Council).
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