3.1.1.3 – The Prime Minister and Cabinet + Democracy and Participation

Question 1

What is the core executive?

Answer 1

The PM, cabinet, senior civil servants, and advisers responsible for policy and governance.

Question 2

What does ‘primus inter pares’ mean?

Answer 2

First among equals — PM leads the cabinet but is part of it.

Question 3

What is collective cabinet responsibility?

Answer 3

All ministers must publicly support cabinet decisions or resign.

Question 4

What is individual ministerial responsibility?

Answer 4

Ministers must take responsibility for their personal conduct and their department.

Question 5

Example of resignation due to policy disagreement?

Answer 5

Iain Duncan Smith resigned in 2016 over welfare reform.

Question 6

What is an example of PM power before 1997?

Answer 6

Thatcher’s poll tax introduction (1990).

Question 7

What is an example of PM power since 1997?

Answer 7

Blair’s role in the 2003 Iraq War decision.

Question 8

What are cabinet committees?

Answer 8

Small groups of ministers dealing with specific policy areas.

Question 9

What is direct democracy?

Answer 9

Citizens make decisions directly (e.g. referendums).

Question 10

What is representative democracy?

Answer 10

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them.

Question 11

What is suffrage?

Answer 11

The right to vote.

Question 12

What was the significance of the Great Reform Act 1832?

Answer 12

Extended the vote to more men and removed ‘rotten boroughs’.

Question 13

What is partisan dealignment?

Answer 13

Decline in voter loyalty to political parties.