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Comparative Account of the Evolution of the Prime Minister's Role in the UK

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Comparative Account of the Evolution of the Prime Minister's Role in the UK Dipartimento di Giurisprudenza Cattedra di Public Comparative Law Comparative account of the evolution of the Prime Minister’s role in the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth Realms: the constitutional relationship with the Head of State RELATORE Gent.mo dott. Giovanni Piccirilli CANDIDATO Renato Paolocci Matr. 108583 CORRELATORE Chiar.mo prof. Gino Scaccia ANNO ACCADEMICO 2017/2018 Index of content Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 4 I. Aim of the comparison .................................................................................................................. 4 II. The concept of “Commonwealth Realm” and the choice of Australia, Canada and New Zealand ............................................................................................................................................... 7 III. Structure of the comparison ...................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 1 ................................................................................................................................................ 10 Prime Minister and Sovereign in the United Kingdom ................................................................................ 10 1.1 Origins and historical development of the Prime Minister office in the United Kingdom . 10 1.1.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................. 10 1.1.2 The post-revolutionary phase (1689-1720) and the emergence of new "constitutional needs" ........................................................................................................................................... 11 1.1.3 The stabilisation phase (1721-1832) .................................................................................. 12 1.1.4 The classic phase (1833-1910) ............................................................................................ 14 1.1.5 The contemporary phase (1911-) ...................................................................................... 14 1.2 The fundamental mechanics of the British constitutional monarchy ................................... 15 1.2.1 The Royal Prerogative ....................................................................................................... 15 1.2.2 The concept of “Royal Prerogative” in legal scholarship ............................................... 16 1.2.3 Relevant case-law about the Royal Prerogative............................................................... 18 1.2.4 Definition of Royal Prerogative and classification of Prerogative powers .................... 21 1.2.5 Responsible Government ................................................................................................... 24 1.2.6 Queen in Council ................................................................................................................ 27 1.3 The dynamic dimension of the Prime Minister’s office ......................................................... 29 1.3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 29 1.3.2 Prime Minister’s appointment process and Cabinet formation ..................................... 30 1.3.3 The end of the Prime Minister’s term in office ................................................................ 36 1.4 The Prime Minister’s powers ................................................................................................... 38 1.4.1 Is the British Prime Minister an “Elected dictator”? ..................................................... 38 1.4.2 Appointment and dismissal of Ministers and Cabinet building ..................................... 42 1.4.3 Relationship with Parliament and involvement in the law-making process ................. 44 1.4.4 Civil Service appointments ................................................................................................ 48 1.4.5 Foreign policy, treaty-making power and war powers ................................................... 49 Chapter 2 .............................................................................................................................................. 58 An introduction to Australia, Canada and New Zealand ................................................................... 58 2.1 From Crown Colonies to sovereign States: a constitutionally meaningful historical development ..................................................................................................................................... 58 1 2.1.1 Canada ................................................................................................................................ 58 2.1.2 Australia .............................................................................................................................. 61 2.1.3 New Zealand ....................................................................................................................... 68 2.2 Constitutional systems in comparison: main departures from the British model ............... 70 2.2.1 Canada ................................................................................................................................ 70 2.2.2 Australia .............................................................................................................................. 75 2.2.3 New Zealand ....................................................................................................................... 79 Chapter 3 .............................................................................................................................................. 82 The office of Governor-General .......................................................................................................... 82 3.1 The Governor-General as representative of the Crown and de facto Head of State ........... 82 3.1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 82 3.1.2 Canada ................................................................................................................................ 83 3.1.3 Australia .............................................................................................................................. 87 3.1.4 New Zealand ....................................................................................................................... 91 3.2 The Royal Prerogative and the Governor-General’s powers ................................................ 96 3.2.1 Overview ............................................................................................................................. 96 3.3 Royal Assent .............................................................................................................................. 97 3.3.1 Canada ................................................................................................................................ 97 3.3.2 Australia .............................................................................................................................. 98 3.3.3 New Zealand ....................................................................................................................... 99 Chapter 4 ............................................................................................................................................ 100 The office of Prime Minister in Canada, Australia and New Zealand ............................................ 100 4.1 The Prime Minister’s role....................................................................................................... 100 4.1.1 Canada .............................................................................................................................. 100 4.1.2 Australia ............................................................................................................................ 103 4.1.3 New Zealand ..................................................................................................................... 110 4.2 Start and end of a Prime Minister’s mandate ...................................................................... 113 4.2.1 Canada .............................................................................................................................. 113 4.2.2 Australia ............................................................................................................................ 117 4.2.3 New Zealand ..................................................................................................................... 131 Chapter 5 ............................................................................................................................................ 137 The Prime Minister’s powers in Canada, Australia and New Zealand............................................ 137 5.1 Appointment of Ministers and Cabinet building .................................................................. 137 5.1.1. Canada ............................................................................................................................. 137 5.1.2 Australia ...........................................................................................................................
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