ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Boris Johnson's relationship with the Queen hits 'rock bottom' as he is accused of forcing her to deliver a 'party political broadcast' for the Conservative Party

Queen Elizabeth II will on Monday lunchtime deliver a "Queen's Speech" in the Houses of Parliament, setting out a new legislative programme for Boris Johnson's government.

Boris Johnson Queen
  • The speech is highly controversial as such speeches normally take place after a government has won a majority in a general election.
  • Johnson has instead chosen to hold one before an expected general election, leading to constitutional experts labeling it a "party political broadcast" for Johnson's Conservative party.
  • Professor Robert Hazell of the Constitution Unit brands Johnson's plans a "sham" that will "embarrass" the Queen.
  • The Sun Newspaper reports that the row has contributed to relations between Johnson and the monarch hitting "rock bottom."
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

Relations between Boris Johnson and Queen Elizabeth have reportedly hit "rock bottom" after the prime minister forced her to deliver what constitutional experts have branded a "party political broadcast" for Johnson's Conservative Party.

The Queen is due to come to the Houses of Parliament on Monday to deliver the "Queen's Speech" which sets out a new programme for Johnson's government.

However, the timing of the speech, which comes shortly before an expected general election, is a breach of the traditional constitutional convention in which such speeches are normally made after an election.

ADVERTISEMENT

The prime minister currently has a majority of minus 45, meaning that none of the legislation the Queen announces on Monday has any hope of passing before another national vote.

This has led to constitutional commentators labeling the speech as a "party political broadcast" for Johnson's Conservative party.

As a result the palace has reportedly taken the unprecedented step of demanding a copy of the speech a week early to ensure that there are no nasty surprises contained within it.

"Number 10 is pretty worried they've hit rock bottom with the palace so they wanted to get the speech in early," one Cabinet source told the Sun Newspaper.

"That left quite a lot of departments upset and in a flap, as a few things weren't ready. It's all been pretty messy and frantic."

ADVERTISEMENT

Buckingham Palace took the rare step last month on briefing their "displeasure" at former Prime Minister David Cameron's decision to reveal the details of private communications he had with the Queen's aides.

The palace was reportedly similarly displeased after the Supreme Court ruled that Johnson had asked her to illegally suspend parliament, with Private Eye reporting that she had expected Johnson to announce his resignation afterwards.

The Queen will on Monday lunchtime come to the Houses of Parliament to announce a new programme of legislation which Boris Johnson's government plans to implement.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, there's one small problem. Boris Johnson's government can't actually implement any of it.

Johnson currently has majority of minus 45 in the House of Commons, so none of this legislation can actually be passed before a general election.

Read more: Boris Johnson told to resign following Supreme Court defeat and become the 'shortest-serving prime minister ever'

For this reason, as Robert Hazell of the Constitution Unit points out , UK prime ministers traditionally only call a Queen's speech directly after a general election once they have won a majority.

What Johnson is attempting is the complete opposite.In effect he is asking the Queen, not to set out his government's legislative agenda, but to set out the Conservative party's manifesto for a general election.

ADVERTISEMENT

By timing the Queen's speech as he has, Johnson is, Hazell argues, asking the monarch to "make a Conservative party political broadcast."

As the Constitution Unit puts it, Johnson is planning to use the speech as a "trailer for the Conservative party's election manifesto.

Hazell adds: "if indeed the government hopes for an election and for there to be no coming session of parliament, then the Queen's Speech is a sham."

See Also:

ADVERTISEMENT

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT