Prime minister and cabinet Flashcards
(33 cards)
1
Q
what is the executive
A
- The branch of government responsible for implementing laws and policies .
- It includes the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and government departments
2
Q
who is the Prime minister
A
- The head of the government and chair of the cabinet.
- represents the UK domestically and internationally
3
Q
what is the cabinet
A
- A committee of senior government ministers, led by the Prime Minister.
- usually head of department
- Cabinet discussions are held regularly to debate and decide on key issues
- collective responsibility means all ministers must publicly support Cabinet decisions, or resign.
4
Q
what is the Inner cabinet
A
Small group of senior ministers closest to the PM, influencing decisions outside the full cabinet.
5
Q
what is a Kitchen cabinet
A
Informal group of advisers consulted by the PM outside of cabinet meetings.
6
Q
What is the Cabinet Committee?
A
- small group of ministers focusing on specific policy areas
- reduces the need for full cabinet involvement
- e.g. National Security council
- allow detailed policy-making, often bypassing full cabinet discussions
7
Q
what does the term ‘Primus inter pares’ mean?
A
- First among equals. Prime ministers are ‘first’ in the sense that they are the primary representatives of government
- theoretically equal to all other ministers
8
Q
what does the term Presidentialism mean?
A
The trend of PMs acting more like US presidents, with strong personal leadership and centralized control.
9
Q
what are Spatial leaders
A
- prime ministers distancing themselves from their parties and governments
- by presenting themselves as ‘outsiders’ or developing personal ideological stance - ‘Thatcherism’
10
Q
what is a Sofa government
A
A style of government where the Prime Minister bypasses formal cabinet meetings and makes decisions with a small, informal group of advisers, often outside the normal decision-making structures.
11
Q
what are Political advisors
A
- work in a supporting role to the government as ‘temporary civil servants’
- political appointees who are loyal to the governing party and even to particular ministers
12
Q
What are Special advisors?
A
- politically appointed advisors who assist government ministers by providing policy advice, media management, and strategic support.
- They are not civil servants and are loyal to the government, not neutral.
- E.g. Alastair Campbell under Blair
- Blair and Cameron increased SPAD use.
- Blair (84) Cameron (97)
13
Q
what is the Prime minister’s office
A
A body of over 100 officials and advisers supporting the PM in policy-making and communication.
14
Q
what is the Cabinet office
A
The central body that coordinates policy across government and ensures effective policy delivery.
15
Q
who is the Deputy Prime Minister
A
- A senior cabinet minister who acts for the PM in his or her absence
- this position in the UK is neither official nor permanent
- Their role depends on the PM’s delegation.
16
Q
who is the cabinet secretary
A
The UK’s most senior civil servant, advising the PM and overseeing the civil service.
17
Q
what are the arguments that the prime minister dominates the government over the cabinet?
A
- Patronage powers: PM appoints and dismisses ministers, ensuring loyalty (e.g., Boris Johnson, 2019).
- Media & Public Focus: The PM, not the Cabinet, is the face of government, controlling messaging. e.g. Blair
- Sofa Government: Informal decision-making bypassing cabinet (e.g., Blair 1997-2007).
- Use of SpAds: PMs rely on advisors rather than Cabinet ministers (e.g., Dominic Cummings under Johnson).
18
Q
what are the argument that the Cabinet dominates the UK government over the PM?
A
- Cabinet Resignations: Mass resignations can weaken the PM’s power (e.g., Margaret Thatcher’s resignation after Geoffrey Howe’s departure in 1990).
- Strong Ministers: Senior ministers can challenge the PM’s policies (e.g., Gordon Brown’s influence over Tony Blair as Chancellor).
- Collective Decision-Making: Major decisions are debated in Cabinet, limiting the PM’s control (e.g., Harold Wilson’s reliance on Cabinet in the 1960s).
19
Q
What is individual ministerial responsibility?
A
- Ministers are accountable for their department’s performance and their personal conduct.
- They are expected to take responsibility for any failures or issues within their area of control.
20
Q
Example of individual ministerial responsibility?
A
- Sir Thomas Dugdale (1954) – Crichel Down Scandal
- Dugdale resigned after a government department mishandled the return of confiscated land, showing that ministers are accountable for their department’s mistakes.
21
Q
what is collective ministerial responsibility?
A
- Ministers must publicly support government decisions or resign.
22
Q
Example of collective ministerial responsibility?
A
- Poll Tax (1990) – Cabinet Ministers Opposed It Privately but Were Forced to Support Thatcher
- Chancellor Nigel Lawson and Home Secretary Douglas Hurd expressed serious doubts but remained silent publicly
23
Q
What is an example of temporary suspension of collective responsibility?
A
- Brexit Referendum (2016) – David Cameron let ministers campaign for ‘Leave’ or ‘Remain’.
24
Q
What is the policymaking process?
A
- The Prime Minister and Cabinet establish the policy priorities.
- Policy development: Whitehall departments, civil servants, think tanks, and pressure groups help create detailed policies.
- Scrutiny: Parliament, through select committees and debates, reviews policies.
- Implementation: Policies are enacted and monitored
25
Cabinet reshuffles
- PMs move or sack ministers to maintain control, promote loyalty, and refresh the government.
- Example: Boris Johnson removed 20 ministers in 2019.
26
Thatcher's leadership and policymaking?
- made less use of her cabinet than her predecessors
- Poll Tax (1990) – Imposed despite opposition, led to riots and contributed to her downfall.
- Privatisation & Union Defeat – Thatcher sold off state industries (British Gas, British Telecom) and weakened unions (Miners’ Strike 1984-85).
27
Blair's leadership and policymaking?
- presidentialism
- informal meetings of an inner circle advisers, filled with loyal 'Blairites'
- Iraq War (2003) – Blair overrode cabinet and public opposition to support the US invasion.
- Stronger central control: Increased the PM’s Office and relied on special advisers (e.g., Alastair Campbell).
28
What is the significance of cabinet reshuffles in terms of political strategy?
- Reinforce loyalty: Rewarding loyal ministers or removing disloyal ones. E.g., Boris Johnson removed ministers opposing his Brexit stance to gain support 2019.
- Reassert authority: Showing PM control over government and restore confidence. e.g. Theresa May reshuffled her cabinet after losing support over Brexit, aiming to strengthen her position and manage dissent within her government
- Influence policy direction: Placing ministers to signal policy changes. E.g. Blair appointed ministers to focus on public sector reform in 1997.
29
How did the Iraq War (2003) demonstrate Prime Minister's power?
- Presidential leadership style: Blair relied on Alastair Campbell and inner circle e.g. Cambpell wrote speeches and crafted the narrative of 'Weapons of Mass destruction'
- Ignored opposition within the cabinet: Clare Short (international development secretary) called the war illegal
- Despite massive protests (e.g., the February 2003 anti-war march with over 1 million people) and opposition within Parliament, Blair maintained his stance on the war. Used persuasive techniques and gave speeches about Iraq weapons of mass destruction
30
What was 'Sofa Government' under Tony Blair?
- Blair bypassed full cabinet discussions, making key decisions in informal meetings
- Advisors such as Alastair Campbell and Jonathan Powell had huge influence over gov policy
- Example: Iraq War (2003): cabinet was briefed not consulted
31
how is the Government Accountabile to Parliament
- Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs): A weekly session where MPs question the Prime Minister on government actions and policies.
- Select Committees: Committees that scrutinise ministers and government policies, e.g., the Home Affairs Committee questioned Priti Patel on policing failures.
- Backbench Rebellions: MPs defying the party whip to oppose government policy, e.g., the Brexit votes in 2019.
- Judicial Review: Courts assess whether the government has acted lawfully, e.g., the Supreme Court ruled Boris Johnson’s 2019 prorogation of Parliament unlawful.
- Vote of No Confidence: A parliamentary vote that can remove the government, e.g., James Callaghan’s government lost a no-confidence vote in 1979.
32
What is a vote of confidence?
- A Commons vote to determine if the government retains parliamentary support
- If lost, a general election is called.
- Example: James Callaghan lost a confidence vote in 1979, triggering Thatcher’s victory.
33
How did the 2010 coalition government affect prime ministerial power?
- Shared power: Cameron couldn’t act independently; he had to negotiate with Nick Clegg and Lib Dems, meaning decisions were more compromised.
- Limited reshuffles: Cameron couldn’t freely reshuffle Cabinet, as Lib Dem ministers had guaranteed positions in the coalition.
- Weakened control: PM’s power was undermined by coalition compromises; for example, Cameron was blocked from scrapping the Human Rights Act due to Lib Dem opposition.
