By convention, the Queen grants Royal assent to legislation passed by the Lords and Commons. It’s only a constitutional convention that she does so: in other words, she does so because she herself, ministers, MPs and the public regard it […]

Most discussion of the possibility of a November election assumes that the decision is solely Gordon Brown’s. But is it really that simple? I think not.

It’s the Queen who dissolves Parliament in fact, by issuing a proclamation under […]