THE BRITISH EXECUTIVE

Question 1

What can limit/constrain the powers of the PM and executive?

Answer 1

1- mp’s with sizeable backbench followings
2- the opposition party (currently conservatives)
3-the house (commons and lords)
4- ministerial appointments (PM can’t freehand it)
5- cabinet proportionality (ensuring cabinet is mixed and equal)

Question 2

What are the powers and functions of the PM?

Answer 2

1- decide who’s on their cabinet
2- be the public face of govt and represent country
3- grants legal pardons
4- appoint lords/Biships/civil servants/ baronesses
5- introduce proposals for new legislation

Question 3

Who is the prime minister?

Answer 3

• head of executive
  -chairs the cabinet
  -manages agenda
  -appoints members of cabinet (junior ministers)
  -decides who sits on cabinet committees
  -organises the structure of government
  -create, abolish or merge departments

Question 4

What is the cabinet?

Answer 4

• 20-23 senior ministers (including SOS)
• administrative support
• helps in delivering policy
• decisions taken in mostly by cabinet committees which deal with particular areas of policy.

Question 5

What are government departments?

Answer 5

• each responsible for an area of policy
• each headed by a cabinet minister
• supported by several junior ministers

Question 6

what are the main roles of the British executive?

Answer 6

1- proposing legislation
2- proposing the budget
3-making policy decisions

Question 7

example of British executive proposing the budget

Answer 7

June 2010 George Osborne, chancellor, delivered and ‘emergency budget’ only 90 days after previous Labour govt’s budget.