PM and the Executive Flashcards
(38 cards)
what are prerogative powers? examples?
powers previously held by the monarch, now possessed by the PM. e.g the power to declare war, appoint ministers, sign treaties
what is a cabinet government?
where main decision making takes place in the cabinet. the coalition government (2010-2015) is seen as return to cabinet govt
what are cabinet committees?
small committees set to establish details of policy
what is collective responsibility?
- ministers must publicly support all government policy, even if they disagree.
- if minister dissents govt the are expected to resign, if not they are sacked
what is individual responsibility?
ministers are responsible for their own departments and their own performance
when has there been an exception to collective responsibility?
during the coalition (2010-2015) and during EU referendum
what are examples of IMR?
Liam fox 2011 (defence secretary) allowed personal friend in defence meetings
Andrew Mitchell 2012 (chief whip) insulting a police officer
what is an example of erosion of IMR?
Gavin Williamson (education secretary) did not resign over exam confusion in 2020
what power does the cabinet have?
legitimises policy, initiate vote of no confidence, can overrule PM is gains enough political power
during the coalition what was the ratio of conservatives to Liberal Democrats in cabinet?
22:5 cons to Lib Dem
who were the Quad?
the inner cabinet of David Cameron, George Osborne, Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander
which PMs used cabinet as a ‘rubber stamp’?
Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair due to large commons majority
what is sofa politics?
style use by Tony Blair, conducting informal meetings with colleagues outside cabinet to control policy making
how does the PM control cabinet?
- use of patronage, can add or remove anyone
- PM has large machinery of policy making, can use position against isolated ministers
- PM controls cabinet agenda
what were Margaret thatchers parliamentary majorities?
1979: 43
1983: 144
1987: 102
what were Tony Blairs parliamentary majorities?
1997: 179
2001: 167
2005: 66
what led to Thatchers downfall?
the introduction of poll tax unpopular among all sides including her own party, she lost leadership election in 1990
what led to Blairs downfall?
huge opposition to the Iraq war and by 2007 the momentum for change had become large. Blair resigned in 2007
what was David Camerons parliamentary majorities?
2010: no majority
2015: 12
what led to downfall of Cameron?
called for referendum on EU membership and campaigned to remain. outcome was leave and he resigned following defeat in 2016
what are the arguments for the PM as president?
- takes on many roles of head of state
- PM is chief foreign policy maker
- PM makes strategic military decisions
- controls intelligence at home and abroad
- negotiates treaties
- recent media room in Downing Street for conferences
what are the arguments against PM as president?
- not head of state
- not directly elected
- foreign policy is subject to parliamentary approval
- can be removed from office by parliament or party
- powers are not codified in constitution
How did the 2011 Fixed Term Parliaments Act alter the prerogative powers of the PM?
The FTPA removed the power from the PM to decide when to call an election, with the Act automatically deciding the date of the next election.
Who are 2 notable resignations from Boris Johnson’s Cabinets?
Sajid Javid (2020) after he was told to sack his whole team to remain in his position as Chancellor. Amber Rudd (2019) after she had the whip removed for failing to support his Brexit deal.
