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Queen would need governor-general in Scotland if it leaves UK, says expert Queen would need governor general in Scotland if it leaves UK, says expert
(35 minutes later)
The Queen will need to establish a governor-general in Edinburgh to act on her behalf if Scotland votes to leave the United Kingdom, according to a leading constitutional expert. The Queen will need to establish the role of a governor general in Edinburgh to act on her behalf if Scotland votes to leave the United Kingdom, according to a constitutional expert.
The change would be the result of several questions about Scotland's future relationship with the monarchy that would be thrown up by a yes vote.The change would be the result of several questions about Scotland's future relationship with the monarchy that would be thrown up by a yes vote.
"The Queen couldn't have two conflicting sources of advice from two different governments. There would have to be a governor-general," argued Vernon Bogdanor, professor of government at King's College, London. "It's perfectly workable. The Irish free state had one." "The Queen couldn't have two conflicting sources of advice from two different governments. There would have to be a governor general," said Vernon Bogdanor, professor of government at King's College, London. "It's perfectly workable. The Irish free state had one."
He said that the Queen's grandfather King George V appointed a governor-general for the Irish free state in 1922 while remaining Ireland's head of state. Bogdanor said the Queen's grandfather King George V appointed a governor general for the Irish free state in 1922, while he remained Ireland's head of state.
The Scottish government white paper on independence says that the Queen will remain head of state in an independent Scotland, as she is in the UK and 15 other nations like Canada and Jamaica, known as the Queen's realms. The Scottish government white paper on independence says the Queen will remain head of state in an independent Scotland, as she is in the UK and 15 other nations, such as Canada and Jamaica, known as the Queen's realms.
But the Queen's realms normally have a governor-general, a representative who officiates on her behalf when the monarch is out of the country. The actions of governor-generals have, in the past, proved controversial. But the Queen's realms normally have a governor general, a representative who officiates on her behalf when the monarch is out of the country. The actions of governor generals have, in the past, proved controversial.
In extreme circumstances, governor-generals have reserve powers to act without ministerial advice to appoint a prime minister if an election has resulted in a hung parliament, to dismiss a prime minister, to force a dissolution of parliament and call new elections, to refuse a prime minister's request for an election, and to refuse assent to legislation. In extreme circumstances, governor generals have reserve powers to act without ministerial advice to:
In 1975, Australia's governor-general Sir John Kerr dismissed the Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam, whose government had been plagued by resignations and faced the blocking of its budget by the upper house of parliament, and appointed the leader of the opposition as caretaker prime minister in his place. • Appoint a prime minister if an election has resulted in a hung parliament.
Kerr was widely criticised for the unprecedented move and the constitutional crisis, often referred to as "the Dismissal", represents one of the most turbulent periods in modern Australian history. • Dismiss a prime minister.
Professor Stephen Haseler, director of the Global Policy Institute in London, said: "The governor-general was meant to be above politics, but in 1975 he got involved in politics. They never got over that. I don't think it would happen again." • Force a dissolution of parliament and call new elections.
Haseler said the prospect of a governor-general depended on whether the Scottish parliament wanted to be a member of the Commonwealth, adding: "I would think that the Scots would not want a Commonwealth relationship with Britain." • Refuse a prime minister's request for an election.
He stressed that if there was a yes vote and no governor-general, there could be an issue for the Queen as the plans for an independent Scotland were put into place. • And refuse assent to legislation.
In 1975, Australia's then governor general, Sir John Kerr, dismissed the Australian prime minister, Gough Whitlam, whose government had been plagued by resignations and faced the blocking of its budget by the upper house of parliament. and appointed the leader of the opposition as caretaker prime minister in his place.
Kerr was widely criticised for the unprecedented move, and the constitutional crisis, often referred to as "the dismissal", represents one of the most turbulent periods in modern Australian history.
Professor Stephen Haseler, director of the Global Policy Institute in London, said: "The governor general was meant to be above politics, but in 1975 he got involved in politics. They never got over that. I don't think it would happen again."
Haseler said the prospect of a governor general depended on whether the Scottish parliament wanted to be a member of the Commonwealth, adding: "I would think that the Scots would not want a Commonwealth relationship with Britain."
He stressed that if there was a yes vote and no governor general, there could be an issue for the Queen as the plans for an independent Scotland were put into place.
"It could bring them into conflict. The negotiations are going to be quite tense," Haseler said."It could bring them into conflict. The negotiations are going to be quite tense," Haseler said.
The Yes Scotland campaign has maintained that a governor-general role will not be needed: "No such position would be required for very obvious reasons," a spokesman said. The Yes Scotland campaign has maintained that a governor general role will not be needed.
"The Queen is regularly in Scotland, she is extremely close to Scotland to be able to carry out ceremonial duties, and has always opened each session of the Scottish parliament, for example." "No such position would be required for very obvious reasons," a spokesman said. "The Queen is regularly in Scotland, she is extremely close to Scotland to be able to carry out ceremonial duties, and has always opened each session of the Scottish parliament, for example."
The Queen already receives a weekly report from the Scottish parliament and has regular audiences with the Scottish first minister to keep up to date with Scottish affairs. The Queen receives a weekly report from the Scottish parliament and has regular audiences with the Scottish first minister to keep up to date with Scottish politics.
Her weekly audience with prime minister David Cameron is carried out by telephone if neither the monarch nor the prime minister is available to meet. Her weekly audience with prime minister, David Cameron, is carried out by telephone if neither the monarch nor the prime minister is available to meet.
Any need for a governor-general brings with it the problem of who would be given the role. The chosen candidate would be appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Scottish government, is likely to hold the post for around five years and is usually paid a large salary. Any need for a governor general brings with it the problem of who would be given the role. The chosen candidate would be appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Scottish government, is likely to hold the post for around five years and is usually paid a large salary.
The New Zealand governor-general receives around £168,000 a year, while in Australia, the annual pay for the job is around £240,000. The New Zealand governor general receives around £168,000 a year, while in Australia, the pay is around £240,000.
There is also speculation that following a yes vote, Scotland might eventually become a republic when the crown passes to the Prince of Wales.There is also speculation that following a yes vote, Scotland might eventually become a republic when the crown passes to the Prince of Wales.
Haseler said: "I would think there's no chance at all that Charles could take over as the next king (of Scotland). The SNP has not talked about heirs and successors." Haseler said: "I would think there's no chance at all that Charles could take over as the next king [of Scotland]'. The SNP [Scottish National party] has not talked about heirs and successors."
He predicted an independent Scotland would eventually become a republic, adding: "Some people think there would be a second referendum on the monarchy if there is a yes vote."He predicted an independent Scotland would eventually become a republic, adding: "Some people think there would be a second referendum on the monarchy if there is a yes vote."
Buckingham Palace issued a statement earlier in the week saying the Queen took the view that the fate of Scotland – to stay in the union or leave – was in the hands of its people. Buckingham Palace issued a statement earlier this week saying the Queen took the view that the fate of Scotland – to stay in the union or leave – was in the hands of its people.
There had been reports the Queen was growing increasingly concerned about Scotland breaking away, but the palace stressed any suggestion the head of state wanted to influence the referendum vote was "categorically wrong".There had been reports the Queen was growing increasingly concerned about Scotland breaking away, but the palace stressed any suggestion the head of state wanted to influence the referendum vote was "categorically wrong".
During her jubilee year of 1977, there were growing calls for power to be devolved to Scotland and Wales. During her silver jubilee year of 1977, there were growing calls for power to be devolved to Scotland and Wales. The Queen made her views clear in a speech to both houses of parliament when she said she understood the aspirations of Scotland and Wales: "But I cannot forget that I was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Perhaps this jubilee is a time to remind ourselves of the benefits which union has conferred, at home and in our international dealings, on the inhabitants of all parts of this United Kingdom."
The Queen made her views quite clear in a speech to both houses of parliament when she said she understood the aspirations of Scotland and Wales: "But I cannot forget that I was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
"Perhaps this jubilee is a time to remind ourselves of the benefits which union has conferred, at home and in our international dealings, on the inhabitants of all parts of this United Kingdom."