PUBLIC LAW L4 - Responsible Government - THE PRIME MINISTER, CABINET & CMR Flashcards
What is the function of the prime minister? (1)
To lead the government of the day in setting and implementing its policies.
What powers does the PM have? (6)
They have very few powers by law but significant powers by convention. These are:
Determining the size and composition of the Cabinet.
Advising the king to appoint or remove ministers.
Determining and coordinating the general policy direction of the government.
Determining the subject matter and composition of cabinet committees.
Determining when the cabinet meets and the agenda for cabinet discussion.
Where do government powers come from today? (2)
Predominantly from statute but in some areas still derive from powers recognised as the royal prerogative.
What else is the PM other than the PM? (2)
Minister for Civil Service and First Lord of the Treasury.
Why do the privy council meet? (1)
To secure the royal approval of actions already approved by cabinet.
Are the proceedings of the privy council secret? (2)
Yes, its member swear an oath of allegiance, ‘to keep secret matters revealed or treated of in privy council’.
What is cabinet made up of and when does it meet? (4)
Made up of secretaries of states / senior ministers, who are also Privy Counsellors and chaired by the PM. It meets weekly.
What does the cabinet office have responsibility for? (5)
It has responsibility for key areas of government policy such as:
Political and constitutional reform.
The civil service.
Supporting the national security council and Joint Intelligence Organisation.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.
What are decisions made by cabinet subject to?(2)
To doctrine / CMR, which has 3 components: confidentiality, unanimity and confidence.
What is meant by confidentiality in terms of CMR? (1)
Duty on ministers not to disclose confidential matters discussed in Cabinet.
What is meant by unanimity in terms of CMR? (1)
Once a decision has been reached all ministers should publicly agree with government policy, if they do not feel they are able to do this, they should resign.
What is meant by confidence in terms of CMR? (1)
The government needs to ensure that is has the confidence of Parliament and by extension, the people.
What is meant by CMR and what is its purpose? (2)
It means that each government minister is bound collectively by the decisions of Cabinet. It is designed to ensure a united front in government to help preserve Parliament’s confidence in it.
What may happens if a vote of no confidence is successful in government? (1)
The PM may resign and call a general election.
