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by nsnick 3245 days ago
The commons can withdraw from the ECHR. I am not saying that Parliament is not a check on ministers. I am saying that there is no check on Parliament. A simple majority of parliament can pass anything and there is no entity that can stop it from becoming law.
1 comments
alistairSH 3245 days ago
The Queen.

A withholding of assent could bring a constitutional crisis, but it's possible [1].

1 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Militia_Bill

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nsnick 3245 days ago
"on the advice of her ministers"
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alistairSH 3245 days ago
Sure, but couldn't a single cabinet member advise the Queen to withhold assent? As long as they made a compelling argument, the Queen could do so. I'm not claiming this is likely or desirable, only possible in the most extreme situation.
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pmyteh 3244 days ago
It's generally thought she can exercise her reserve powers precisely once, before they (or the monarchy) are removed for good. Personally ordering the armed forces not to take some antidemocratic action demanded by her ministers in a time of crisis is the most likely scenario, I think.

As with much else in the constitution, the 'on the advice of her ministers' is normally (binding) convention rather than statute.

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