1.2.1 - How Government works in the UK Flashcards
(86 cards)
1
Q
Question 1
What are the three branches of government?
A
- Executive.
- Legislative.
- Judiciary.
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Q
Question 2
What is the ‘Executive’ as one of the three branches of Government?
A
Implements policy & runs government administration.
3
Q
Question 3
What is the ‘Legislative’ as one of the three branches of Government?
A
Makes laws - Parliament.
4
Q
Question 4
What is the ‘Judiciary’ as one of the three branches of Government?
A
Interprets laws & ensures legal compliance.
5
Q
Question 5
Who staff Government Departments?
A
Civil Servants.
6
Q
Question 6
What is the role of the Executive branch?
A
Formulation & implementation of policy, overseeing both National leadership ‘high politics’ & Daily governance mundane day-to-day.
7
Q
Question 7
What are the key elements of the Core Executive?
A
- Prime Minister.
- Cabinet.
- Ministers.
- Government Departments.
8
Q
Question 8
What is the ‘Prime Minister’ as a key element of the Core Executive?
A
Head of government & Chair of the Cabinet.
9
Q
Question 9
What is the ‘Cabinet’ as a key element of the Core Executive?
A
A Committee of Senior Ministers who make major decisions in Government.
10
Q
Question 10
What is the ‘Ministers’ as a key element of the Core Executive?
A
Appointed by PM to specific policy portfolios in Government.
11
Q
Question 11
What is the ‘Government Departments’ as a key element of the Core Executive?
A
Administrative units managing specific policy areas.
12
Q
Question 12
What are the three main functions of the Executive?
A
- Making policy decisions.
- Proposing legislation.
- Proposing a budget.
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Q
Question 13
What are ‘Making policy decisions’ as a main function of the Executive?
A
Setting Governmental priorities & determining their political direction.
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Q
Question 14
What is ‘Proposing legislation’ as a main function of the Executive?
A
Initiating laws, mainly from the governing party’s manifesto.
15
Q
Question 15
What is ‘Proposing a Budget’ as a main function of the Executive?
A
Managing the countries Economic policy & Taxation levels.
16
Q
Question 16
What are the three main powers exercised by the Core Executive?
A
- Prerogative Powers.
- Control over Legislative Agenda.
- Powers of Secondary Legislation.
17
Q
Question 17
What are Prerogative powers?
A
Powers exercised by Ministers without requiring parliamentary approval, giving the executive an advantage in policy-making.
18
Q
Question 18
What personal prerogative powers does the Monarch still hold?
A
- Appointing the Prime Minister.
- Giving royal assent to legislation.
- Acts under ministerial direction to avoid controversy.
19
Q
Question 19
What prerogative powers do Ministers act on behalf of the Crown?
A
- Making & ratifying treaties for international diplomacy.
- Deploying armed forces.
- PM’s patronage powers & ability to recommend Parliamentary dissolution.
- Organising the Civil Service.
- Granting pardons.
20
Q
Question 20
How has Parliament gained more oversight on military deployment?
A
- Parliament now votes on armed forces deployment, introduced under Gordon Brown.
- 2013: Parliament rejected airstrikes on Syria.
- 2015: Parliament approved airstrikes.
21
Q
Question 21
How did the 2011 Fixed-Term Parliaments Act change dissolution powers?
A
- Previously, PM could ask Monarch to dissolve Parliament.
- Now, an early election requires 2/3 of MPs to approve a Commons vote.
- April 2017: MPs approved Theresa May’s call for an early election - 522-13 vote.
22
Q
Question 22
How have Prime Minister’s patronage powers been restricted?
A
Powers to award honours & make public appointments have been limited.
23
Q
Question 23
How does the Government control legislation?
A
- Proposes most bills, dominating legislative agenda.
- Limits debate on Government Bills.
- Most Government bills are passed, while private members’ bills rarely succeed unless they have Government support.
- Party discipline ensures ministers must support Government in Parliament.
24
Q
Question 24
What is Secondary - Delegated - legislation?
A
Allows Ministers to amend laws without requiring a new Act of Parliament.
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Question 25
How is Secondary legislation enacted?
* Ministers use Statutory Instruments (SIs) to make detailed rules & regulations.
* SIs vary from technical rules - E.g. Enactment dates - to major policy changes.
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Question 26
How often are Statutory Instruments used?
About 3,500 are issued annually, most not debated & rarely rejected.
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Question 27
When did the House of Lords amend Secondary legislation?
2015, when it modified two tax credit regulations
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Question 28
What are the Prime Minister’s patronage powers?
* Appoints Ministers.
* Reshuffles Cabinet to fit their agenda.
* Dismisses Ministers.
* Allocates Cabinet posts.
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Question 29
What limits the Prime Minister’s patronage powers?
* Labour PMs must appoint their first Cabinet from re-elected Shadow Cabinet members.
* Ideological imbalances may complicate control over the Cabinet.
* Botched reshuffles can create powerful enemies within the party
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Question 30
How did David Cameron use his patronage powers?
He appointed multiple backbench MPs to Ministerial roles to prevent MP rebellions.
## Footnote
Example of PM's Patronage powers.
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Question 31
What are the PM’s powers in Cabinet?
* Chairs Cabinet meetings.
* Controls the Cabinet agenda - Decides topic discussion.
* Restructures central government by reshaping Cabinet.
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Question 32
What limits the PM’s authority in Cabinet?
* Requires Cabinet support or risk being ousted.
* Senior Ministers hold influence, sometimes challenging PM.
* PM is ‘first among equals’, meaning Cabinet decisions are collective.
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Question 33
How did Margaret Thatcher lose power?
She was ousted by her own Cabinet in 1991.
## Footnote
Example for PM's Cabinet Authority Role.
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Question 34
What advantages does the PM have as party leader?
* Leads a majority in Cabinet, making policy approval easier.
* Elected by MPs & party members.
* Commands party authority as political leader.
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Question 35
What can weaken the PM’s party leadership?
* Support isn’t unconditional—multiple missteps can lead to their removal.
* Backbench rebellions can weaken authority & prompt leadership challenges.
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Question 36
How did Boris Johnson’s party leadership decline?
Lost the support of his party, forcing his resignation.
## Footnote
Example for PM's Party Leadership role.
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Question 37
Why does the PM have high public visibility?
* Recognised as face of government.
* Expected to lead during national crises.
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Question 38
How can public perception undermine the PM?
* Criticism from media & electorate can damage credibility.
* Poor popularity ratings weaken their authority in government.
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Question 39
How did Boris Johnson’s public approval decline?
By the end of his premiership, Nicola Sturgeon was more popular in England than Johnson.
## Footnote
Example for PM's Public Standing Role.
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Question 40
What is the PM’s role in policy-making?
* Sets government policy agenda.
* Leads during crises.
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Question 41
What challenges hinder the PM’s policy-making?
* Limited time & incomplete knowledge on all policy areas.
* Policies face resistance if they lack broad support.
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Question 42
How did Boris Johnson struggle with policy implementation?
He was confused by his own Covid-19 rules.
## Footnote
Example for PM's Policymaking Role.
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Question 43
What resources does the PM’s office provide?
* Gives advice & administrative support.
* Appoints special advisors.
* Restructures government to fit their priorities
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Question 44
What limits the PM’s control over their office?
* Limited resources for enacting policies.
* Other government departments hold power, influencing decisions
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Question 45
How did Boris Johnson rely on special advisors?
Dominic Cummings played an instrumental role in Johnson’s Vote Leave campaign & Covid-19 policies.
## Footnote
Example for PM's role in PM's Office.
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Question 46
What are the Prime Minister’s key executive powers?
* Sets government policy direction & priorities.
* Chairs Cabinet meetings and controls Cabinet agenda.
* Reshuffles or dismisses Ministers.
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Question 47
What royal prerogative powers can the PM exercise on behalf of the Monarch?
* Deploying Armed Forces.
* Appointing Bishops & Senior Civil Servants.
* Granting honours, like knighthoods.
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Question 48
How does the PM control legislation?
* Leads Commons, typically commanding a majority for easy passage of laws.
* Determines Parliamentary timetable, scheduling when legislation is debated.
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Question 49
How does the PM represent the UK on the global stage?
* Attends G7 & NATO summits.
* Conducts diplomacy with foreign leaders & negotiates treaties.
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Question 50
What institutional and strategic resources does the PM have?
* Civil Service – Implements government policies.
* Special Advisors – Provide political & strategic advice.
* Security & Intelligence – Access to MI5 & MI6.
* Official Residences – Uses 10 Downing Street & Chequers.
* Media Machinery – Manages government communication.
51
Question 51
Who dictates the composition of the Cabinet?
The Prime Minister, who selects senior government ministers.
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Question 52
Who typically sits in the Cabinet?
* Senior Ministers, E.g. Chancellor of the Exchequer.
* Secretaries of State, each leading a government department.
* Non-departmental Ministers, E.g. Government Chief Whip or Leader of House of Commons.
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Question 53
Who are Junior Ministers & are they part of the Cabinet?
Junior Ministers - Under-Secretaries of State & Ministers of State - assist in policy areas but don't sit in Cabinet.
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Question 54
What factors influence the Prime Minister’s Cabinet appointments?
* Political allies guaranteed a position.
* Representatives of different party factions, E.g. right-wing members like Theresa May.
* Respected potential ‘rebels’ silenced by Collective Responsibility, E.g. Boris Johnson.
* Individuals with strong departmental management skills.
* Personal friends of PM.
* Public & media-favored figures.
* Symbolic ideological appointments reinforcing government’s identity.
* Competent individuals considered 'good at their job'.
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Question 55
What role does the Cabinet play in policymaking?
* Discusses & agrees on key Government policies across departments.
* Acts as an arbitrator for interdepartmental disputes.
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Question 56
What is Collective Ministerial Responsibility?
* Ministers must publicly support Cabinet decisions, even if they privately disagree.
* If a Minister fundamentally disagrees, they should resign.
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Question 57
How does the Cabinet delegate work?
Committees handle detailed policy work & report back to the full Cabinet.
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Question 58
What high-level decisions does the Cabinet make?
* Determines priorities for legislation, spending & long-term goals.
* Manages major national crises, E.g. Covid-19.
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Question 59
How does the Cabinet influence Parliament?
* Decides which Bills to introduce & schedules their timing.
* Coordinates lawmaking across departments to ensure consistency.
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Question 60
How does the Cabinet manage the UK’s budget?
* Works with Chancellor of the Exchequer to set Budget & Spending Review.
* Approves Treasury spending plans.
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Question 61
What factors weaken the Cabinet’s authority?
* PM’s patronage dominance—Cabinet members stay loyal to retain their positions.
* Most decisions made in committees instead of full meetings.
* Short meetings - brief as 45 mins - limit thorough discussion.
* Large departments act independently, reducing government cohesion.
* More decisions made in bilateral meetings rather than full Cabinet.
* Decision-making has shifted to the Downing Street Organisation.
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Question 62
What is Individual Ministerial Responsibility?
* Ministers are accountable for their department's actions.
* They must accept responsibility for failures, injustices, or policy issues, even if they aren't personally responsible.
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Question 63
What are examples of ministers resigning due to individual responsibility?
* David Laws - Lib Dem MP, 2010 - Resigned after MP expenses scandal.
* Matt Hancock - Health Secretary, 2021 - Resigned after breaking Covid-19 social distancing rules.
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Question 64
What is Collective Ministerial Responsibility?
* Ministers must publicly support government policy, even if they privately disagree.
* Those unable to support government must resign their position.
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Question 65
What are examples of ministers resigning due to collective responsibility?
* Lee Anderson - Jan 2024 - Resigned as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party to vote against Sunak’s Rwanda Bill.
* Jo Johnson - Sept 2019 - Resigned due to conflict between family loyalty & national interest after Boris Johnson became PM.
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Question 66
How did ministerial resignations affect May’s government?
* Destabilised party discipline & governance.
* Made her appear weak, undermining her authority.
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Question 67
Why did Andrea Leadsom resign under May’s government?
* Believed May couldn’t deliver Brexit.
* she thought there was a complete breakdown of Collective Responsibility.
68
Question 68
How did Boris Johnson respond to bullying allegations against Priti Patel?
* Investigation found Patel violated Ministerial Code.
* Johnson rejected findings & stood by her, showing disregard for Ministerial Code.
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Question 69
How was Boris Johnson’s Cabinet composition different?
* 7 members had never served before.
* 4 members were BAME - Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic.
* 7 members were female.
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Question 70
Why do takeover PMs typically struggle?
* They haven’t won a general election, meaning no direct popular mandate.
* Their authority can be challenged within their party due to electoral legitimacy issues.
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Question 71
What happened during the Labour fracking ban vote?
* Truss wanted Tory MPs to oppose tBill but didn't apply three-line whip.
* Confusion among Tory MPs—uncertain if it was a no-confidence vote or not.
* Further undermined Truss’s authority, adding to instability.
72
Question 72
How did Sunak’s wealth impact his popularity?
* Public saw him as out of touch with economic struggles.
* Net worth of £529 million became a political liability.
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Question 73
How did Sunak structure his Cabinet?
* Focused on stability & traditional Conservative values.
* Reassured party & electorate by bringing back former Cameron & May Cabinet members.
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Question 74
Who dominates the Minister - Civil Service relationship?
* Sometimes views of Civil Service become views of Ministers.
* Ministers dictate policy, while Civil Servants enact it.
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Question 75
What are the key principles of the UK Civil Service?
* Permanent - Civil Servants remain in post after elections.
* Politically neutral & impartial.
* Relative anonymity - most remain unknown except key officials.
* Confidential advice - they provide non-partisan council to Ministers.
* 2006 Civil Service Code - outlines core standards & principles.
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Question 76
What are the main responsibilities of Civil Servants?
* Prepare Bills for parliamentary readings.
* Brief Ministers on policy issues.
* Specialist expertise - they remain in departments long-term.
* Produce minutes & meeting agendas.
* Collect evidence to support legislation.
77
Question 77
How is the Civil Service structured?
* A governmental bureaucracy, comprised of professional officials.
* Hierarchical - E.g. Cabinet Secretary is highest-ranking Civil Servant.
* Departments have their own hierarchy.
* Handles paperwork & data collection.
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Question 78
How large is the UK Civil Service?
Approximately 523,580 Civil Servants.
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Question 79
How has recruitment changed over time?
* More socially & ethnically diverse than in previous decades.
* Previously, Oxbridge graduates dominated recruitment, but this has changed.
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Question 80
How many Government Ministers work within the UK Government?
Around 100 Ministers.
81
Question 81
Do Government Ministers receive formal training?
No, they must learn their roles quickly upon appointment.
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Question 82
Where do Government Ministers come from?
* Mostly from House of Commons.
* Some come from the House of Lords E.g. Lord Cameron as Foreign Secretary.
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Question 83
Where do Ministers work?
* Within a Department of State or Ministry.
* More important departments - E.g. Home Office - have more Ministers
84
Question 84
Who supports Government Ministers?
* Junior Ministers.
* Civil Servants.
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Question 85
Why might Government Ministers struggle in their roles?
* Outnumbered by Senior Civil Servants - 6 or 7 to 1.
* Often lack specialist knowledge in their policy area.
* Lack of permanency - stay in a department for an average of 2 years.
* Spend 65% of their time on non-departmental responsibilities.
* Officials sometimes provide limited information or purposely embarrass them.
86
Question 86
What are the key responsibilities of Ministers?
* Hold duties in Cabinet & administer a Whitehall department.
* Take responsibility for their actions & policy decisions.
* Balance ministerial duties with being an MP.
* Manage a well-functioning team they can rely on.
* Speak in Commons debates, attend Committees & pilot legislation.
