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 ...........................................................................................................................