Royal Prerogatives Essay

1423 Words6 Pages
Q: “Royal Prerogatives provide unlimited extension of executive power, which is not accountable and unrestricted.” Critically discuss. A: Royal prerogatives refer to the residual powers of the Monarch that are exercised by the executive. While I agree that there are current mechanisms in place that are used to curtail the power of the executive exercising royal prerogatives, these mechanisms are unsubstantial. However, there have been gradual changes in the stance and attitude towards the arbitrary and discretionary use of prerogative power. These changes have led to a shift in the attitude where prerogative powers have been subject to more review and restrictions where appropriate. Hence, it is a misnomer to say that prerogative power provides an unlimited extension of executive power. In my opinion, it is more apt to say that with the current situation of the constitution, the royal prerogatives do provide some form of extension of executive power in certain situations, which is unaccountable for and unrestricted to a certain extent. This essay will discuss and analyze the various mechanisms that have been adopted to curtail the powers of the royal prerogatives to ensure that the powers of the executive are kept in check, as well as their drawbacks, and how the UK constitution has evolved in relation to the exercise of royal prerogatives. In England, the monarchy used to be an absolute monarchy. This means that the Monarch had absolute power among his or her people, and could wield unrestricted political power over the state and its people. However, the Glorious Revolution of 1688 led to the establishment of a constitutional English monarchy restricted by laws. An example would be the Bill of Rights 1689, which provides that prerogative powers could only be exercised through and on the advice of the ministers responsible to Parliament. This means that the
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