Post on the Queen 26/01/2012
Posted by Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset, at 14:04, Fri 3 February 2012:
Every Member of Parliament, Police Officer or warrior takes an oath to the Queen. The significance of this is that the centre of loyalty is not a political party or an organisational hierarchy but the personification of the State. As a Member of Parliament it is a reminder that my duty is to my electorate to whom I owe my judgement as well as my industry. My first duty is not to the Whip’s Office or, much though I admire him, the Prime Minister.
In the context of the police and the military this is even more important. Since Cromwell’s tyranny only one serving military officer has been Prime Minister and that was the Duke of Wellington. There has long been a clear separation between the civil authority and the military which is now under civil control. However, no government of whatever colour could use the military or police to create a dictatorship because they are loyal to a higher authority – the Queen. The Royal Family keeps a close connexion with the armed forces which reinforces this personal bond.
This is a protector of our liberties as is the fact that so many powers are exercised in the Queen’s name. Although no monarch has vetoed an Act of Parliament since Queen Anne the theoretical possibility remains and George V demanded that a reform to the House of Lords be approved at a General Election. In this way the Queen is the Constitutional long stop but one of such effectiveness that the mere thought of her reserve powers needing to be used prevents the occasion arising.
www.jacobreesmogg.com
Comments
If you are subscribed to HearFromYourMP in this constituency,
log in to post a reply.
Otherwise, if you live in the UK,
sign up in order to
HearFromYourMP.
Posted by Gabriel M. Batt, 16:50, Fri 3 February 2012: (Is this post abusive?) #
Dear Jacob,
Members of the Royal Navy do not take an "Oath to the Queen. Indeed when I retired from the Navy in 1979 I enquired about working as a Beefeater in the Tower of London only to be informed that as I had not taken an Oath I could not be employed in that position. It was the Duke of Wellington who wrote the rules, however I am glad to say thay ex Royal Navy Chief Petty Officers and Warrent Officers may now apply for the job.
Regards,
Gabriel.
Posted by Myles Kidd, 22:52, Fri 3 February 2012: (Is this post abusive?) #
As a member of parliament, I feel my MP should be concentrating on the issues of the day rather than this Royalist rhetoric. The Queen continues to do an excellent job and I do not need a weekly update from my MP to remind me.