prime minister and the executive Flashcards
outline the structure of the executive
the pm and their closest advisors
20-25 in cabinet - pm can promote or demote whoever they want.
civil servants who control background running of government
various bodies and institutions which advise government - think tanks
unofficial advisors
the role and powers of the Prime minister
Primus inter pares - first among equals. first lord of the treasury
almost always commands a majority in parliament
has royal prerogative.
has a mandate from the people as the electorate voted for them
what is royal prerogative
the powers formally given to the monarch but exercised by the PM as we live in a democracy
outline the role of the cabinet
all appointed by the pm 20-25 members normally meets once a week develop policy details subcommittee COBRA (cabinet office briefing room A ) meets in emergencies most work is done in subcommittees
what is secondary legislation and give an example
orders made by ministers or the PM which does not pass through parliament
used to abolish maintenance grants to students and allow fracking in national parks
the main powers of the executive
Royal prerogative powers
initiation of legislation
secondary legislation
outline individual ministerial responsibility
ministers are responsible for their personal conduct and departments.
case study for Individual ministerial responsibility
CHARLES CLARKE
after failing to account for over 1000 foreign prisoners after their jail time, Clarke was sacked by Blair in a cabinet reshuffle.
outline collective ministerial responsibility
ministers must support cabinet decisions or leave the executive.
case study for collective ministerial responsibility
IAN DUNCAN SMITH
resigned in 2016 after he refused to accept cuts to disability benefits despite changes in George Osborne’s budget to benefit higher earners
what factors govern the PMs selection of ministers
ability and experience demonstrating authority rewarding loyalty and allies maintain a balance between different party views meeting diversity expectations
factors that affect the relationship between the cabinet and the prime minister
management skills of the PM -thatcher at start and end of her premiership
Prime ministers ability to set agenda
the use of committees and informal groups to make decisions - the quad for Cameron. Sofa politics for Blair
the wider political situation
evaluate the view that the prime minister is still the dominant force in government
for most governments of the day decisions are rarely run by the executive, instead the PM hands control over to committees or other groups. interest rate control dine by bank of England
the PM controls both cabinet and parliamentary agenda, meaning they can decide how much say both have and if they are important.
the media focuses heavily on the PM and little on cabinet or junior ministers, meaning they are most important to the electorate.
the PM needs cabinet for support of important decisions. Cameron proposed his EU withdrawal bill to a full cabinet meeting.
we do not have a presidential system and the PM should keep cabinet informed, as demonstrated by thatchers resignation.
outline the John Major case study
/ got rid of the poll tax in first 18 months
/ handled the gulf war effectively
/ brokered a peace deal with northern ireland
>< bad economic policy. forced thathcer into ERM. then in 1992 market pressure forced us out due to falling interest rates.
>< more collegial style of governing. no respect or fear.
>< second term was not good for Major as he was undermined by cabinet fighting over EU
outline the Tony Blair case study
/ constitutional reforms which modernised parliament without undermining its authority
/ revival of the peace process in northern Ireland and the good Friday agreement.
/ a number of public service reforms - replace failing state schools, free nursery places.
>< UK support of Iraq war
>< arguments between Brown and Blair as blair did not step down after his second term like expected.
