Monarchs’ roles
Sir,—May I draw the attention of certain ill-mannered persons to constitutional developments in the last two centuries? The days of monarchs forcing their will on an unwilling country have long disappeared. Even a century ago Queen Victoria could not impose her will on New Zealanders, and neither can Queen Elizabeth. Monarchs have been for some time bound to follow the advice of their Ministers, and since those Ministers have the support of parliamentary majorities, monarchs are therefore obedient to the parliamentary expression of the popular will. They are “prisoners of Parliament.” This is as it should be in a democracy. Queens “reign but do not rule”; they cannot be held responsible for particular laws and policies. Whateyer the merits of particular causes may be, to abuse and assault the monarch because she does not impose her will on her free subjects is not only insolent and counter-productive, but also evidence of fundamental ignorance.—Yours, etc.,
D. J. ROUND. February 25, 1986.
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Press, 27 February 1986, Page 12
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162Monarchs’ roles Press, 27 February 1986, Page 12
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