Can the Queen dissmiss parliament?

[moorfield]

This expense fiddling has gone too far (he says )

Anyone know? Constitutionally, does she have the power?

And if she could, should she do it?

[NickFitz]

No. Parliament can only be dissolved by the Monarch at the request of the Prime Minister. The Monarch can, in fact, refuse to dissolve Parliament when the Prime Minister requests it, as happened in 1923; but they cannot dissolve it without being requested to do so. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolu...dom_Parliament for details (possibly randomly modified by any old loony).

We had a Civil War and beheaded Charles I in order to get things arranged that way

[suityou01]

This expense fiddling has gone too far (he says )

Anyone know? Constitutionally, does she have the power?

And if she could, should she do it?

Of course. She is the head of the army. She can do what the hell she likes. Don't expect it to come to that though.

[BrowneIssue]

She is the head of the army.

But they're not at home.

[suityou01]

But they're not at home.

Press 4, then after the tone, leave a message.

[thelace]

In that case, take up your pitch forks and lets have ourselves a little revolution

[BrowneIssue]

In that case, take up your pitch forks and lets have ourselves a little revolution

Traditionally, the government would have you shot down by the Dragoons. However, they're out in Afghanistan.

Maybe that's why the Police now have horses and guns?

Not that our friendly Bobbies would ever shoot unarmed civilians, of course. Or charge crowds on horseback, cracking skulls when they get there.

Will you forgive me if I stop at home and hide behind the sofa? I'll send flowers.

[HairyArsedBloke]

In that case, take up your pitch forks and lets have ourselves a little revolution

Aye, I think it will have to come to that.

[OwlHoot]

No. Parliament can only be dissolved by the Monarch at the request of the Prime Minister. The Monarch can, in fact, refuse to dissolve Parliament when the Prime Minister requests it, as happened in 1923; but they cannot dissolve it without being requested to do so. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolu...dom_Parliament for details (possibly randomly modified by any old loony).

We had a Civil War and beheaded Charles I in order to get things arranged that way

But there are also time limits - If the PM/Ministry of the day doesn't request a dissolution within five years of the previous election then the House of Lords has the collective legal duty to do this on their behalf.

The time limit has varied in the past. For example by the Septennial Act it used to be 7 years, and I think coalition governments have stayed in power for slightly longer during each World War, but of course only by common consent of the parties involved.