THE MONARCHY 4!

If an election is legally bound to come within, say* the next
twelve months, it is natural for the Government to pick what
Mr. Baldwin once called a "less unfavourable" moment. But if
the Government wanted a "snap" election, out of the normal
time, because its chances were good, the King would be on
Atrong constitutional ground in refusing to dissolve. Standing
outside parties, he has the duty of seeing that the Constitution
is not thus twisted to party advantage. The Government could
of course get what it wanted by resigning, going into Opposition
and hampering its successor; but this would not be a popular
move and the tactical advantage would be lost. By objecting to
a Dissolution the King, in effect, puts this question to the
Government "Why do you want to dissolve? Is it because you
think it necessary for the country, or to gain a party advantage?"

Can the King dissolve Parliament even if his Ministers do not
wish it? According to the general rule, that in all public actions,
the King must take his Ministers* advice, the answer should be
No. Circumstances might arise, however, in which the King could
say to the Prime Minister, "You are proposing to start on a line
of policy which is new and was not discussed at the last election.
Ought you not to get the country's opinion first? You say I
should take your advice because you represent the people. How
do you know? It is three years since the present Parliament was
elected, and your Governments candidates have been defeated
at several by-elections lately. You had better fight an election
and see if you have the peopled support." Such circumstances
can be imagined; but if they really arose, the Prime Minister
himself would probably realise the necessity for an election.
Further, a King who acted thus would run considerable risk;
for if the Government won the election, it would be very like a
victory over the King, and his advice would not carry so much
weight in future.

One part of the Legislature, the House of Lords, is specially
connected with the King, since he has the power to create Peers
with the right to sit in that House. A Government with a