Thank you to Vincent Cawthron for submitting this article to UNN.
The Privy Council advises the Queen on the carrying out of her duties, including the exercise of the Royal Prerogative and other functions assigned to the Sovereign by Acts of Parliament. Although some of the Privy Council’s powers are ceremonial in nature, many relate to matters of constitutional importance.
Prerogative business – where there is no legislation allocating the responsibility to a particular Minister, the Privy Council provides a mechanism for Ministerial advice to The Queen, since constitutionally The Queen acts only on such advice.
Privy Council oath and initiation rite
The word “privy” means “private” or “secret”; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch’s closest advisors to give confidential advice on state affairs.
It was formerly regarded by the Privy Council as criminal, and possibly treasonous, to disclose the oath administered to Privy Counsellors as they take office. However, the oath was officially made public by the Blair Government in a written parliamentary answer in 1998. It had also been read out in full in the House of Lords during debate by Lord Rankeillour on 21 December 1932.
“You do swear by Almighty God to be a true and faithful Servant unto the Queen’s Majesty, as one of Her Majesty’s Privy Council. You will not know or understand of any manner of thing to be attempted, done, or spoken against Her Majesty’s Person, Honour, Crown, or Dignity Royal, but you will let and withstand the same to the uttermost of your Power, and either cause it to be revealed to Her Majesty Herself, or to such of Her Privy Council as shall advertise Her Majesty of the same. You will, in all things to be moved, treated, and debated in Council, faithfully and truly declare your Mind and Opinion, according to your Heart and Conscience; and will keep secret all Matters committed and revealed unto you, or that shall be treated of secretly in Council. And if any of the said Treaties or Counsels shall touch any of the Counsellors, you will not reveal it unto him, but will keep the same until such time as, by the Consent of Her Majesty, or of the Council, Publication shall be made thereof. You will to your uttermost bear Faith and Allegiance unto the Queen’s Majesty; and will assist and defend all Jurisdictions, Pre-eminences, and Authorities, granted to Her Majesty, and annexed to the Crown by Acts of Parliament, or otherwise, against all Foreign Princes, Persons, Prelates, States, or Potentates. And generally in all things you will do as a faithful and true Servant ought to do to Her Majesty. So help you God”.
Current members of the Privy Council
There are around 400 Privy Counsellors and they become members for life. Some of those that are members will shock the public. Such as Diane Abbot, John Bercow, Ed Balls (Yvette Cooper’s husband), Hilary Benn, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Andy Burnham, Sir Vince Cable, David Cameron, Sir Nick Clegg, Yvette Cooper, Jeremy Corbyn, Dominic Grieve, Sadiq Khan, Neil Kinnock (EU bureaucrat), Sir John Major, Theresa May, John McDonnell, Amber Rudd, Nicola Sturgeon, Emily Thornberry are a few of the many unsavoury characters within the Privy Council. It seems like its just another job for the boys and girls in the establishment.
URGENT! Now is your LAST CHANCE to buy t-shirts,mugs etc in order to guarantee delivery before Independence Day on the 31st of January. Hurry up so that you do not miss out! 🇬🇧
Click the Link Below 👇 Now:
https://unitynewsnetwork.co.uk/product-category/celebrate-brexit/
Opinions from the Unity News Network (UNN) editorial team & various contributors. | UNN always clearly distinguishes between news and opinion pieces and as an open minded outlet we publish views from a variety of people and organisation that do not necessarily reflect the views of UNN or its writers. Articles published under UNN Opinions are always opinion pieces and if published on behalf of a contributor will contain that authors name at the start of the piece.
