3 The Prime Minister and the Cabinet Flashcards
(246 cards)
1
Q
How many Cabinet ministers are there?
A
20-25
2
Q
Did the PM exist in the beginning?
A
No
3
Q
Who was the first PM?
A
Robert Walpole became the first de facto PM in 1721 when he became first lord of the Treasury, chancellor, and leader of the Commons.
4
Q
When did the PM become an official thing?
A
1992 - Ministerial Code - piecemeal codification
5
Q
What are confidence and supply agreements?
A
The coalition partner gives the government confidence and support on budgets but otherwise does not have to support the government.
6
Q
What proportion of postwar PMs have resigned?
A
More than half
Not always because of parliamentary lack of confidence, often for reasons of ill health.
7
Q
What is the core executive?
A
Policy-making network - includes the PM, senior ministers, cabinet committees and top civil servants.
8
Q
What part of the core executive is apolitical?
A
Civil servants
9
Q
Does the PM dominate the core executive?
A
No - it is a relationship of co-dependency between the policy-making network.
10
Q
What are the 4 roles of the core executive?
A
- First responder - being there in times of crisis
- Policy making - making executive secondary legislative policy
- Taxation/Spending - arbitration to chancellor over budget before it is presented to Parliament
- Parliamentary statute law formulation - most of the time the executive dominates Parliament and the main thing here is making the actual policy.
11
Q
Where do many executive prerogative powers come from?
A
Royal prerogative powers given to the executive.
12
Q
What is patronage?
A
The ability to give someone a government position in exchange for something.
13
Q
What military power does the executive have?
A
The ability to deploy troops overseas.
14
Q
What are the 6 powers of the executive?
A
- Appointment and dismissal of ministers
- Deployment of UK armed forces
- Relations with international powers/international diplomacy
- Making treaties
- Organisation and structure of the civil service
- Issuing directives during national crises.
15
Q
What is the paramount executive prerogative power?
A
Patronage
16
Q
What is a limit on the executive?
A
All actions must be legal (but they can create law e.g. Coronavirus Act 2020 made BoJo’s stuff legal).
17
Q
What are 4 ways the powers of the executive are significant?
A
- Ability to deploy overseas troops
- PMs have unlimited choice over who joins the government
- Figure in times of national crisis
- Treaties.
18
Q
What are 4 ways the prerogative powers of the executive are insignificant?
A
- All recent military action is conventionally approved by Parliament
- PMs cabinet choices must be responsible and they can be a hurdle e.g. Braverman
- Executive overreach is prevented by laws, which Parliament can criticise
- Brexit was nearly stopped by SCOTUK. It is not all executive.
19
Q
Where does policy come from?
A
- Manifesto
- Personal convictions
- Referenda
- Coalition
- Emergency
- Pressure
- Attitudes changing.
20
Q
Example of a manifesto pledge policy?
A
2017 - Tories pledged 30 hours a week of free childcare for working parents/carers of 3/4 year olds rather than 15. After the election was in operation by September 2017.
21
Q
Example of a personal conviction policy?
A
Thatcher reducing council houses (amongst a raft of other privatisation schemes) from 5.4 million to 4.5 million 1981-91.
22
Q
Example of a referendum policy?
A
Tory party did an about face after Brexit and got Brexit done.
23
Q
Example of a policy that arose through a deal with a coalition party?
A
AV referendum 2011 to appease Lib Dems.
24
Q
Example of policy being made on the back of a national crisis?
A
COVID-19 - Nightingale Hospitals and Coronavirus Act 2020 enforcing lockdown etc.
25
Example of mounting public pressure causing a change in policy?
Environmentalists - in 2019 the government pledged to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. In response to pressure from groups such as Extinction Rebellion.
26
3 examples of how changing social and cultural attitudes have caused a change in policy?
1. Abortion Act 1967
2. Divorce Reform Act 1969
3. Decriminalising male homosexuality.
27
What is the key thing that determines government policy?
Parliamentary majority
28
"Events, dear boy, events" refers to?
Harold Macmillan's view of what made governments most likely to change policy. Perhaps referring to Profumo Sex and Spy Scandal 1961-63
29
3 case studies that demonstrate how a PM/Cabinet can dictate events and policy decisions?
1. 1990 Poll Tax of Margaret Thatcher
2. 2003 Iraq invasion by Tony Blair
3. 2017 May early election.
30
Background to the poll tax?
Many domestic rates were only paid by property owners, and so many people were voting for Labour and high tax politics whilst not paying themselves. After the 1987 the Tories passed a bill to implement a universal community charge payable by nearly all UK adults.
31
3 ways the Poll Tax failed?
1. Riots broke out across the UK in March 1990, including a major riot in London that left 400 arrests
2. The tax was unenforceable and hence expensive
3. A leadership challenge followed and the prospect of Heseltine winning a leadership bid forced Thatcher to resign, to be replaced by Major, who repealed the charge.
32
Why was the Poll Tax a catastrophe for Thatcher?
She lost the leadership contest off the back of it.
33
Why was the Poll Tax an example of Thatcher failing herself?
Her personal arrogance led to this. She treated loyal Tories with disdain when they raised their concerns.
34
Background to Iraq involvement?
Blair had drawn the UK closer to the US. When Bush asked in 2003 if Blair would send forces to Iraq to combat supposed WMDs, Blair obliged. The UK was almost alone amongst her allies in agreeing to US intervention.
35
3 ways the Iraq policy failed?
1. Blair did not listen to the opposition which said these WMDs didn't exist
2. Blair's government was rocked by events including the suicide of Dr David Kelly who tried to warn Blair there were no WMDs
3. 2004 Butler Report and 2016 Chilcot Report said this was a terrible idea and that Blair had ignored key evidence and had ignored his Cabinet.
36
3 ways May's early election policy failed?
1. Gordon Brown bottled it in 2007 - she didn't want to do the same. She was overly dependent on the advice of Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill
2. May had to clarify what the social care policy was, and she was accused of not being strong and stable
3. The Tories did not gain a majority and lost 13 seats.
37
4 facts which show that the Prime Minister structurally dominates Cabinet?
1. PM decides what is on Cabinet's agenda
2. PM chairs all Cabinet meetings
3. PM decides when Cabinet meets
4. PM summarises Cabinet meetings for themselves.
38
Are PMs consistent with cabinets?
No. Different PMs have different styles.
39
Why is a strong cabinet often a problem for presidential PMs?
They think for themselves.
40
4 determinants of cabinet power?
1. Popularity of PM - cabinet less supportive and hence useful in weak government
2. Media focus - cabinet's role often diminished by hostile press
3. Cabinet members - strong members often weaken PM's influence
4. Prime Minister's habits.
41
Example of a PM whose strong cabinet and who's habit of deferring to Cabinet made Cabinet stronger?
Attlee - never used to talk before everyone had finished in Cabinet meetings.
42
3 people Blair would do sofa government with?
Alastair Campbell, Jonathan Powell and Peter Mandelson.
43
How did Brown adapt Blair's 'sofa' government?
'Kitchen' government - A small number of ministers consulted.
44
Why might Cabinet's influence have declined recently?
Personality of PMs - increased emphasis on strongmen has reduced the appetite for Cabinet types.
45
Work for PM in cabinet government?
Primus inter pares - more of a board.
46
Example of a recent Cabinet government and caveat?
2010-15 Cameron ministry
## Footnote
Was forced to because of Lib Dem coalition - and even then 'The Quad' was significant.
47
Example of how Cameron was not presidential?
Syria strikes vote in 2013 - he lost.
48
What are the two types of minister and the meaning?
1. Cabinet minister - the heads of major government departments
2. Junior minister - ministers who work in the government department subordinate to the cabinet minister.
49
2 things individual ministerial responsibility encompasses?
1. Personal actions
2. Departmental mistakes.
50
Example of individual ministerial responsibility for individual failures?
Liam Fox resigned in 2011 after taking Adam Werrity on 18 foreign trips.
51
Example of individual ministerial responsibility (departmental responsibility) failing?
2011 - Home Secretary Theresa May refused to resign over weakened border checks which had allowed foreign criminals into the UK illegally. She instead blamed Brodie Clark, then head of the UK Border Force.
## Footnote
Should ministers really be responsible if they reasonably didn't know.
52
Liam Fox had been?
Defence Secretary.
53
Leading example of cabinet collective responsibility?
2018 - David Frost and Boris Johnson resigned over Chequers.
54
Example of collective responsibility making the government seem consistent?
2013 - Lib Dem ministers opposed a Mansion Tax, despite the fact that they had previously supported it.
55
Example of collective responsibility causing problems and why?
Cabinet afraid to speak up because they will lose their jobs
## Footnote
E.g. Cabinet and Iraq 2003.
56
When is collective responsibility prorogued?
Referendums.
57
Example of royal prerogative being used by PM in foreign policy?
1982 - Falklands War - government suggested a vote, but Thatcher denied it and went straight for war.
58
Example of a Cabinet member who was influential enough even to outshine a Presidential PM?
Nigel Lawson - when he resigned as Chancellor it was the beginning of the end for Thatcher in 1989. He was undermined by a Thatcher SpAd who advocated leaving the ERM. 1st November 1990 resignation of Howe precipitated Thatcher's downfall
59
What is the spectrum of Prime Ministerial leadership?
From presidential to primus inter pares.
60
How often does Cabinet meet? Contrast to US?
Weekly
## Footnote
Much less frequently in the US.
61
The leader of the largest party is called on by the monarch to form the government. Last time this did not happen?
After 1923 - Baldwin had most seats, but Ramsay McDonald became PM with liberal support, since Baldwin lost a no confidence vote.
## Footnote
Only lasted 9 months.
62
Key difference between UK PM and US President selection?
Not directly elected as in US.
63
What is confidence and supply?
Support the government on key votes such as the budget, but withholds the right to vote against other key legislation.
64
Example of how, occasionally, PM selection is downright undemocratic?
May won PMship unopposed after Andrea Leadsom withdrew in 2016.
65
Evidence UK PMs are more flexible in when they leave office compared to US Presidents?
NO TERM LIMITS - Only 21% lose elections
## Footnote
Whereas in US, all either reach term limits or lose an election.
66
Example of a PM who just basically gave up?
Harold Wilson 1976.
67
Example of the neutrality of the Civil Service?
Most civil servants keep their jobs; Osmotherly Rules say must not shift blame.
68
Evidence civil servants not always impartial?
Sue Gray in 2023 - had undisclosed meetings with Starmer about becoming his Chief of Staff, four months before she took the role. Later investigation revealed this violated the Civil Service Code.
69
Key thing about the core executive?
INTERDEPENDENT entities.
70
2 ways policy is implemented?
1. The executive decides upon policy, e.g. at cabinet or in cabinet committee meetings
2. The civil service implements this policy and runs the country day to day.
71
What is the legislative role of the core executive?
Most important legislation is first discussed at Cabinet, then put to Parliament by the Leader of the House of Commons.
72
Why is Cabinet's legislative role important?
With a Commons majority, second reading defeat is rare - last time was 1986
## Footnote
But if a bill is likely to fail, or if cabinet ministers oppose it, it'll probably fail at cabinet.
73
Example of cabinet killing a policy before Parliament?
December 2021 - 'Plan C' measures to contain Omicron quashed after 6 cabinet members opposed. Reportedly because 60 Tories were ready to rebel over it.
74
What is the key role of Cabinet pre-budget?
Much discussion occurs about likely contents of the budget.
75
Example of Cabinet being a good forum for discussion during emergencies?
Cabinet meetings between education, health and transport ministers helped secure a national response to COVID-19.
76
Evidence patronage powers can backfire on the PM?
May made BoJo Foreign Secretary in 2016. When he and his adviser David Frost resigned in 2018 after the Chequers Deal was rejected, it precipitated May's downfall.
77
Military action is a prerogative power of the PM. Eval?
Yes PMs can deploy forces, but really they need parliamentary approval to do this.
## Footnote
Although in 1982, Thatcher had no such qualms.
78
How did the Brexit saga show the limits of prerogative power?
Seemed to deny the PM's diplomatic privilege.
79
How is patronage limited?
Very rare to appoint people from outside the Commons.
## Footnote
Although Cameron was not a peer before November 2023.
80
Example which shows executive is a leader for the public during times of national crisis?
Estimated 27 million watched BoJo's lockdown announcement.
81
2 things SpAds are not?
1. Civil servants
2. Elected politicians.
82
Famous charismatic SpAd?
Alastair Campbell 'we don't do God'.
83
Evidence SpAds are becoming a fact of recent government?
Cummings was allegedly central to Johnson's last government, and Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill were central to May's.
84
Example which shows SpAds are often somewhat nepotistically appointed?
Eddie Lister in BoJo years - worked with BoJo when he was Mayor of London.
85
Example of a cabinet minister who emphasised the increasing influence of SpAds?
Clare Short, a minister who resigned in 2003 over Iraq, emphasised the role of SpAds in the decision.
86
Example of a SpAd who attracted public derision?
November 2020 - Dominic Cummings forced to leave over controversy, which started in summer with trip to Durham.
87
Example of how May was not presidential?
Limited by Parliament - January and March 2019 Brexit defeat - Chequers Deal.
88
2 reasons May wasn't Presidential?
1. Cabinet disintegration over Chequers - BoJo and David Davis resigned in July 2018
2. 2019 - Parliamentary Brexit progress stalled.
89
What is the main determinant of presidentialism and caveat?
Majority size
## Footnote
2003 - Blair 139 vote Iraq rebellion.
90
Why are SpAds powerful and evidence?
Need to circumvent the Civil Service.
## Footnote
1980 - Gerald Kaufman How to Be a Minister - need to win.
91
What were the reasons for May not being seen as Presidential?
1. Cabinet disintegration over Chequers - BoJo and David Davis resigned in July 2018.
2. 2019 - Parliamentary Brexit progress stalled.
92
What is the main determinant of presidentialism?
Majority size.
93
What was the 2003 Iraq rebellion vote count?
Blair faced a 139 vote rebellion.
94
Why are SpAds powerful?
They need to circumvent the Civil Service.
95
What did Gerald Kaufman say about being a Minister?
You need to win the system's support to do things.
96
What is an example of presidentialism stemming from public perception?
The 2010 leaders debate and subsequent TV debates.
97
Why might presidentialism be in decline?
Legislative checks are stronger now, e.g., UKSC rules against the executive and stronger constitutional laws like FTPA 2011.
98
What proves Thatcher was a conviction politician?
She carried a copy of The Constitution of Liberty by FA Hayek and stated, 'this is what we stand for' when asked about her beliefs.
99
What is the opposite of personal convict policy making?
Making decisions due to public pressure or referendum results.
100
What were the reasons poll taxes were introduced?
1. Existing domestic rates were paid by property owners, not residents.
2. A tax on property that did not proportionately affect different income groups.
3. A strong sense that the current system was unfair.
101
Is 'poll tax' the official name?
No, it is a pejorative term used to allude to the 1381 Peasant's Revolt.
102
How did Thatcher lead the charge on poll tax?
Declassified documents in 2016 revealed she personally annotated the policy proposal.
103
Why was the poll tax regressive?
'Duke and dustman' analogy: the rich would pay the same as the poor.
104
What does the poll tax show?
The risks associated with personal policy affiliation.
105
How was the Iraq War a failure?
180 British soldiers died, millions protested, and Iraq devolved into a civil war.
106
Why did Blair invade Iraq?
He wanted to appease Bush.
107
Why was Iraq not a Cabinet decision?
The government was denied access to key papers according to subsequent enquiries like the 2004 Butler Report and the 2016 Chilcot report.
108
What is an example of May being a bad campaigner?
Her repeated phrases 'nothing has changed' over social care policy and 'strong and stable' were accused of 'Dalek messaging.'
109
Who pointed out May's dependence on SpAds?
Ben Riley Smith, the Right to Rule.
110
What is an exception to PM implication in policy decisions?
In 1992, the decision to leave the ERM on Black Wednesday was made in a meeting with multiple cabinet members, with no one above implication.
111
Who issues life peerages?
The PM.
112
What is an example of patronage powers being used freely?
In 2016, Theresa May removed 15 ministers including George Osborne as Chancellor.
113
What is an example of how diversity must be upheld in the Cabinet?
Blair's cabinet needed to have Brown at the Treasury and Prescott as DPM to appease Labour.
114
What can too many reshuffles indicate?
Weakness, as seen in the frantic reshuffling in July 2022 to try and sustain the Johnson ministry.
115
What are the three powers the PM has over Cabinet?
1. Patronage.
2. Usually chairs it.
3. Location and time.
116
What is a key difference between US and UK cabinet meetings?
US meetings are public, while UK ones are private and not declassified for 30 years.
117
Are Cabinet committees new?
No, they have been around since the early 20th century.
118
What was an implementation taskforce?
A kind of ministerial committee set up in June 2015 but disbanded in 2019 when BoJo got in.
119
What replaced implementation taskforces?
Implementation committees - 4 were set up during COVID-19.
120
What dictates which cabinet committees exist?
Present concerns, e.g., 2019 Climate Change Committee.
121
When were Cabinet committees very important?
During the Coalition Government, as they were needed to uphold the Coalition Agreement.
122
Who is an example of a PM who fell out with Cabinet committees?
Theresa May, who stopped chairing every meeting after the 2017 election.
123
What are cabinet committees for?
Helping make decisions below a Cabinet level.
124
What has happened to the cabinet committee system post-2024?
There has been increased centralisation, with more decisions at a sub-Cabinet level.
125
What is the Cabinet Secretary?
The minister in charge of the Civil Service.
126
What is an example of a famous ministerial accountability resignation?
Lord Carrington.
127
Where was the poll tax first unveiled?
Scotland.
128
What is an example of a SpAd acting imperially?
Cummings spent £2.6 million on refurbishing the Press Office.
129
What is an example of a stylistic way the UK PM has become more presidential?
The Downing Street Press Briefing room was built during COVID-19 at a cost of £2.6 million.
130
Main accusation of presidentialists?
"Cabinet is dead" - Mo Mowlam, 2002
131
3 leaders accused of presidentialism?
1. Tony Blair
2. Theresa May
3. David Cameron
132
Why was Blair accused of presidentialism?
Sofa government - meetings with individual ministers preferred over full cabinet meetings
133
Why was Thatcher accused of presidentialism?
Wets and dries
## Footnote
Wets were dissenters, Dries were yesmen.
134
Why was Cameron accused of presidentialism?
During the coalition, government was by SPATIAL LEADERSHIP of the "Quad", comprising Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, David Cameron, George Osborne and the Lib Dem chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander.
135
What is spatial leadership?
A style of leadership where the PM relies on their own inner circle of advisers, rather than cabinet.
136
What is the inner cabinet?
The kitchen - the closest confidants to the PM.
137
When were the first SpAds appointed?
1960s by Harold Wilson.
138
Example of SpAds in the early 2000s wielding greater influence?
"We don't do God" - Alastair Campbell
139
Who were Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill? Why do they show the rise of SpAds?
Theresa May's principal two advisers. In the book "The Right to Rule", May's allies reveal how key decisions - including the decision to call an early election in 2017 - were the result of decisions by her SpAds overruling Cabinet.
140
Facts that show that number of SpAds is increasing?
99 in May's Government
108 in BoJo's Government.
141
Example that shows that presidentialism is not a linear thing?
May's downfall in June 2019 after her 2018 "Chequer's Deal" Brexit failed was a result of BoJo and David Davis resigning after the Chequers agreement. There was weakness in her Cabinet that undermined her government.
142
3 reasons we might say presidentialism is on the rise?
1. SpAds
2. Public profile
3. Personal style
143
Example of how changing public profile has facilitated presidentialism?
Debate 2010
144
3 reasons to doubt presidentialism?
1. No formal changes, indeed limitation - FTPA 2011 etc.
2. Personal style is a flexible thing - Major and May not the same
3. SpAds exaggerated - civil service advice still valuable e.g. Chris Witty during COVID-19.
145
7 powers of the PM?
1. Patronage
2. Chairing weekly cabinet meetings
3. Arranging cabinet committees
4. Dictating policy priorities
5. The Cabinet Office
6. Commanding the commons to pass legislation
7. Peerages
146
Are the above 7 powers always ensured?
Yes, but other soft power is variable.
147
Example of how patronage is used to make a statement?
In 2017, even within the same party, as May took over as leader she replaced 15 ministers, including George Osborne.
148
2 examples of how patronage isn't an unlimited power and it must be exercised with caution?
Blair appointed Gordon Brown as chancellor, a political heavyweight, but also John Prescott as deputy PM, from a working class background.
Thatcher firing Geoffrey Howe meant he was able to deliver a very damning resignation speech which essentially started Heseltine's leadership bid.
149
Example of a time patronage powers were transferred away from the PM?
Deputy PM Nick Clegg given prerogative powers to appoint to 5 posts during the Coalition government.
150
2 powers of the PM during cabinet meetings and the significance?
1. Chair proceedings
2. Decide the agenda
## Footnote
Cabinet is according to Cabinet Manual "the ultimate arbiter of all government policy".
151
Collective responsibility?
All members of Cabinet must support the decisions of Cabinet or else resign.
152
2 weaknesses to the PM of Cabinet meetings?
Cabinet resignations are very damaging so support is often desired.
Leaks are common so BoJo redrafted the Ministerial Code to ban leaking. This is not a law though.
153
Example of Cabinet failing to get consensus and the PM having to back down?
Blair could not get Brown to accept the Euro.
154
What is a Cabinet committee and their significance?
Subcommittees of the Cabinet decided by the PM who essentially make the decisions, which are then rubber-stamped by Cabinet.
155
Example of how committees are set up to deal with particular concerns?
October 2019 - BoJo created Climate Change Committee
## Footnote
In the months prior the UK had committed to net zero 2050 and we were hosting COP26 in a little over a year.
156
Example of how cabinet committees are what you make of them?
Blair set up loads to help with his "delivery taskforce" but sofa government meant they were hardly ever used.
157
Example of how control over Cabinet committees is a litmus of government authority?
By March 2017 May chaired every meeting she attended. But in 2018, after the tough election, she let her Minister for the Cabinet Office David Lidington chair most meetings.
158
Example of PMs dictating policy priorities?
BoJo Get Brexit Done 2019
159
2 reasons PMs would not be able to dictate policy priorities?
1. Unfolding events e.g. a recession and public spending promises are incompatible
2. Foreign states e.g. Brexit required work with EU leaders.
160
What is the Cabinet Office?
A branch of the civil service established to support the PM and ensure effective running of government.
161
How large is the Cabinet Office?
2050 civil servants.
162
2 priorities of the Cabinet Office?
1. Take the lead in certain policy areas and be a corporate HQ for government projects
2. Carry out Cabinet and core executive admin such as minute taking.
163
Example of how the Cabinet Office is sensitive to the PM incumbent?
BoJo set up a Cabinet Office Rapid response Unit to deal with COVID-19 misinformation.
164
How can the PM's role as Party Leader influence policy?
Conservative Eurosceptic pressure forced 2016 Brexit.
165
Example that shows being party leader is conditional support?
Thatcher downfall or fall of BoJo 2022.
166
What power does the PM have to appoint peers?
Under the 1958 Life Peerages Act, PMs can appoint life peers.
167
Example of how peerages are politicised?
173 Labour, 66 Conservative under Blair and Brown
136 Conservative, 59 Labour under Cameron and May.
168
How are peerage nominations checked?
Appointments Commission recommends apolitical candidates.
169
2 controversies about peerages?
1. Cameron's resignation honours included making a Tory donor who gave the party more than 1 million pounds a knight.
2. BoJo gave his brother Jo Johnson a peerage.
170
What is political capital?
The trust of those close to the leader to follow them, mostly due to the magnitude of their previous achievements.
171
Why is political capital hard to get?
Often won by risky policies that can backfire.
172
Example of a PM enhancing political capital by taking risk?
Thatcher dispatching the task force to the Falklands in 1982. She silenced critics in her own party and won the 1983 election in a landslide.
173
Example of another modern PM enhancing political capital by taking risk?
Cameron 2014 Scottish referendum after SNP landslide 2011.
174
All the above has been PM's powers. Does Cabinet collectively have more or fewer powers?
Far fewer.
175
Why is Cabinet less powerful than the PM?
The PM runs the Cabinet.
176
5 ways Cabinet ministers can hold power?
1. Resign
2. Policy management
3. Refuse to move
4. Leak to media
5. Cabinet meetings and debates do influence policy.
177
How is policy management a power of Cabinet ministers?
PMs do not get involved in minutiae. It is down to the Cabinet ministers to do that.
178
Example of a Cabinet minister exerting authority over a weak government?
In January 2018 Jeremy Hunt refused to be moved in a May government reshuffle and so May had to promote him instead, adding social care to his portfolio as well as health secretary. This was a serious show of her weakness.
179
Example of a Cabinet minister who leaked to the media?
2019 - Williamson was sacked for allegedly leaking details of a National Security Council meeting to the press.
180
3 reasons to believe Cabinet government still exists?
1. Gordon Brown and Jeremy Hunt - influential Cabinet personalities can prove difficult to manage.
2. Too many Cabinet resignations is used as an indicator of weakness e.g. BoJo's final days.
3. Ministers have their own advisers who enrich debate e.g. 2020 Javid resignation.
181
How many Cabinet resignations were there in BoJo's final days?
57.
182
Example that shows a link between weak government and resignation?
May's government had a higher rate of resignation than any other government since before Thatcher.
183
5 arguments to suggest that Cabinet government is in decline?
1. Many decisions are made at lower committees e.g. cabinet committees.
2. Many meetings are brief e.g. 30 minutes.
3. Cabinet ministers owe their position to the PM.
4. PMs tend to mould "cabinets of compliance" over time e.g. Thatcher from wets to dries.
5. Cabinet Office plays a greater role in developing policy.
184
Individual responsibility?
Where ministers as individuals fall short whilst in the public sphere, they are expected to resign.
185
What is ministerial accountability?
Ministers are accountable to the actions of their departments.
186
What is collective responsibility?
Principle by which ministers must support Cabinet decisions or leave the Executive.
187
Is collective responsibility universal?
No, it can be suspended.
188
3 times when collective responsibility was formally suspended?
1. 1972 and 2016 referendums on EU membership.
2. 2011 AV referendum.
3. 2016 over government's plans to build a third runway at Heathrow.
189
2 examples of ministers who defied collective responsibility and got away with it?
1. Between 2016 and 2018 BoJo gave speeches at private dinners disagreeing openly with government economic forecasts and Northern Ireland policy.
2. In June 2018, Liz Truss said "woodburning Goves" at the Department for the Environment were telling people how to live their lives.
190
5 reasons for ministerial resignation?
1. Unable to hold collective responsibility.
2. Accepting the blame for an error or injustice in their department (ministerial accountability).
3. An inability to deliver a policy promise in their own department.
4. Personal misconduct.
5. Political pressure.
191
Why is policy failure an unlikely reason for ministerial resignation?
Policy failure - collective responsibility means the whole Cabinet is responsible.
192
Least common cause of ministerial resignation?
Accepting the blame for an error or injustice in their department.
193
Example of a minister who resigned to accept the blame for an error or injustice in their department?
1954 Sir Thomas Dugdale and the Crichel Down Affair - instead of reselling RAF bases to the original landowners after the war, they were kept by Dugdale's Department for Agriculture and used for more profitable re-lettings.
194
Why is it uncommon to see resignations from the Cabinet due to a minister not being comfortable accepting collective responsibility?
Party politics.
195
2 examples of cabinet ministers resigning over refusing to accept collective responsibility?
1. Robin Cook and Clare Short, leading Blairites, resigned in 2003 over Iraq.
2. Mike Crockart and Jenny Willott, junior Lib Dem ministers resigned in 2010 over student tuition fees.
196
Are there often longer term tensions at play when government ministers resign and cite inability to accept collective responsibility?
Sometimes.
## Footnote
IDS - resigned against a backdrop of Euroscepticism vs Cameron/Osborne Europhilia. But Blair's Robin Cook commended Blair's record of European relations before resigning.
197
Example of a minister resigning due to inability to deliver a policy promise in their department and evaluative comment?
Tracey Crouch resigned in 2018 when it was announced in the budget that the rollout of anti-gambling measures would only come in 10/2019.
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Most common cause for ministerial resignation?
Personal misconduct.
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2 reasons for personal misconduct resignations?
1. General nefariousness.
2. Breaking the 7 principles of the Ministerial Code.
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7 principles of the ministerial code?
1. Selflessness
2. Integrity
3. Objectivity
4. Accountability
5. Openness
6. Honesty
7. Leadership
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What does accountability mean in the context of the ministerial code?
Accountable to Parliament via scrutiny methods and to the public.
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2 examples of ministers resigning for breaking the Ministerial Code?
1. David Blunkett, Blair era minister, resigned twice. First time it was for misconduct arranging a fast track visa application for his ex lover's nanny, and the second time was over taking up a second job without consultation. Latter case broke OBJECTIVITY principle.
2. Lib Dem Chris Huhne resigned over perverting the course of justice by getting his wife to pay a speeding ticket. This broke the honesty principle of the Ministerial Code.
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Example of the Ministerial Code being violated without a resignation?
Priti Patel bullied her civil servants but was not forced to resign.
204
What is political pressure and how does it link to the above point?
Political pressure is the rising pressure on a minister to resign due to their position becoming "untenable". It is often when a minister has done something bad which doesn't technically violate the Ministerial Code, but which leads to their demise through negative publicity.
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An example of a minister resigning for political pressure reasons?
In 2012, Andrew Mitchell allegedly called a policeman at the Downing Street gates a "****ing pleb". Whilst he strenuously denied the allegations, and the police officer's claims could not be proven, the fact that Mitchell had become a political distraction culminated in his downfall, because he was on his way to the Carlton Club and everyone in Cameron's government were rich fools anyway.
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Example of a ministerial resignation for apolitical reasons?
September 2020 - Simon Clarke resigns due to personal pressures of office.
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4 examples that would support the accusation that the executive is largely unaccountable to Parliament?
1. Ministerial Code can be circumvented if the minister simply claims to "not know" about errors in their department.
2. Ministerial questions are often stylistic.
3. Select committees have no formal power.
4. Party discipline means that backbench executive scrutiny is increasingly rare.
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4 examples that would discredit the accusation that the executive is unaccountable to Parliament?
1. The television of PMQs and ministerial questions puts pressure on ministers because the political pressure card is always present.
2. Violations of the Ministerial Code are taken seriously.
3. Ministers are expected to tell the truth to select committees due to the Osmotherly Rules.
4. Backbench revolts are rare but when they do occur are very damaging. Heseltine, Cook etc.
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An example of a minister resigning because of policy failure and evaluative comment?
1967 Callaghan resigned as chancellor due to devaluation of the pound. He became Home Secretary, indeed the only person to date to hold all four "great offices of state"
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What pressure do PMQs and ministerial questions put on ministers?
They put pressure on ministers because the political pressure card is always present.
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How are violations of the Ministerial Code treated?
Violations of the Ministerial Code are taken seriously.
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What are the Osmotherly Rules?
Ministers are expected to tell the truth to select committees due to the Osmotherly Rules.
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What are backbench revolts?
Backbench revolts are rare but when they do occur, they are very damaging.
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Example of a minister resigning due to policy failure?
1967 Callaghan resigned as chancellor due to devaluation of Sterling.
## Footnote
He was shuffled sideways in the ensuing reshuffle and policy failures are rarely ever admitted.
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What is a cabinet committee?
A group of ministers, subdivisions of the Cabinet, who focus on particular policy areas.
216
What does the PM reference when formulating policy beyond the Cabinet?
The Cabinet Office and the Treasury.
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What is the Cabinet Office?
Essentially the WHO. Supports the government in the delivery of policy. Mostly made of civil servants.
218
Where do bills originate in the UK?
Cabinet meetings.
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What is another name for the kitchen cabinet?
Inner cabinet.
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What are SpAds often?
Long time associates of the PM.
## Footnote
Example: Dominic Cummings and BoJo had worked together on Brexit and Munira Mirz was head of his 'Policy Unit'.
221
Do the British public like presidentialism?
Not really. BoJo was sure during COVID to appear alongside Sir Patrick Vallance during press conferences.
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Why might a prime minister not want to be presidential?
Presidents have loose control of the legislative. We can have closer control if we are a traditional PM.
223
Example of a Cabinet pick impacting the PM's behavior?
Geoffrey Howe resigned over EU - led to Heseltine's challenge.
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When is a Cabinet meeting held away from the Cabinet Office?
Whenever the PM likes.
## Footnote
Example: Held in Sunderland on 31st January 2020, after Brexit was finished.
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What are the 5 types of cabinet committee?
1. Ordinary committee - always present. 2. Cabinet subcommittees - abolished in 2019. 3. Informal groups - closed in October 2012. 4. Implementation task force - in place 2016-2019. 5. Implementation committee - 2020.
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What is the role of the Cabinet Secretary?
Head of the Cabinet Office and the Civil Service.
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What should not be overemphasised as a role of the PM?
Evidence leader of the party.
## Footnote
Example: David Cameron and EU referendum promise - forced to by backbenchers.
228
What does HOLAC do?
1. Recommend Xbench appointees. 2. Vets appointees for 'propriety'.
229
Example of partisan Lords appointments?
In 2016, Cameron's resignation honours included his chief of staff Ed Llewellyn, Andrew Cook who gave the Tories 1 million (got a knighthood) and George Osborne, who got Companion of Honour.
230
How to gain political capital?
Take risks.
231
What are 3 powers Cabinet members have?
1. In some ministries, this remains how PMs make decisions. 2. Ministers run their own departments, so are more attuned to the policy minutiae than the PM. 3. Resignation can be fatal.
232
Whose resignation ended Thatcher's premiership?
Howe - broken bats.
233
What is the least likely cause for ministerial resignation?
Policy failure.
## Footnote
Example: 1967 Callahan resigns due to Sterling devaluation (but he is moved sideways to home sec).
234
Example of ministers escaping with their jobs after errors?
BSE 2000.
## Footnote
The norm, unfortunately. Ministers don't often resign for departmental errors.
235
Evidence that the use of ministers to resign for failings is falling?
Now the job of civil servants, for instance Brodie Clark in the UK Border Force 2011.
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Famous example of resignation over refusal to accept collective responsibility?
2003 Robin Cook and Clare Short over Iraq.
237
Why is resignation due to failure to deliver a policy promise rare?
Usually the whole government would be responsible for a failure of this kind.
238
Example of a resignation due to personal disagreements?
2020 - Javid resigns due to Cummings overinfluence trying to get rid of his advisors.
239
When was the Ministerial Code published?
1992.
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What principle did Chris Huhne break from the Ministerial Code?
The Honesty principle.
241
Example of the objectivity principle being violated?
DNA Bioscience - David Blunkett accepts a position here in 2005, and had to resign as Work and Pensions Secretary after it became public.
242
Example of Ministerial Code being ignored?
2020 - Cabinet Office inquiry finds Priti Patel guilty of not upholding the Ministerial Code in bullying her staff.
243
Did Mitchell actually do it?
It isn't clear.
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What was Mitchell before he resigned?
Chief Whip.
245
Why was Mitchell susceptible to political pressure?
He was a lifelong MP, a career politician, a Cambridge Tory and he was part of the government of 'toffs'.
246
What is the key determinant of how likely someone is to resign?
How valuable they are to the government.
