Press play to listen to this article
LONDON — Britain’s ultimate Westminster insider is actually its queen.
As head of state, Queen Elizabeth II must rise above the political fray, playing a largely ceremonial role by formerly appointing ministers despite having no say over who gets the jobs, and unquestioningly setting out her elected government’s legislative agenda.
But that doesn’t mean the British monarch doesn’t want to know Westminster’s hottest gossip.
A little-known tradition of the U.K. system means a junior member of the government whips’ office — MPs responsible for the management of legislation through parliament — writes a private daily email to the queen with
→ Continue reading at Politico
