No she doesn't.
She can refuse, which means that she has lost confidence in her government.
It could trigger a general election.
She would rather be Queen than be right.
Point taken.
No she doesn't.
She can refuse, which means that she has lost confidence in her government.
It could trigger a general election.
She would rather be Queen than be right.
WRONG!
The Queen is constitutionally bound to act upon the advice of her ministers.
While she can theoretically withhold Royal Assent, the power has not been used since 1708. It's use would not trigger a General Election, it would trigger a Constitutional Crisis.
Since the Queen is bound to appoint a Government that can command a majority of the House of Commons, her opinion or confidence in it is immaterial. Parliament has passed an Act of Parliament. The Queen MUST sign it, regardless of her opinion.
In the day to day operations of her Government, the Queen has three rights, all exersied in confidence with her ministers:
-The right to be consulted
-The right to encourage
-The right to warn
Beyond that she must act as the Government advises.
The Government will answer to the voters as to the wisdom of the Act.
The last monarch to refuse assent to an act of parliament was Queen Anne in 1707.
She would rather be Queen than be right.
Well, that is what modern constitutional monarchy is about -- staying around by not exercising direct power.
A monarch who habitually refused assent to legislative acts would quickly become an ex-monarch.
Look at what happened to Queen Anne's father, uncle, and grandfather.