The PM and Cabinet

Question 1

whats the role of the executive?

Answer 1

• make and implement policies

Question 2

what does making policies look like for a pm?

Answer 2

• decides how the country should be run
• should taxes be higher or lower
• how much should be spent on public services
• do these policies require new primary/secondary legislation

Question 3

what does implementing policies look like for a pm?

Answer 3

• take responsibility for day 2 day management
• ensure that taxes are collected and benefits are paid
• ensure that public services ate running effectively
• ensure laws passed by parliament are executed

Question 4

in which 4 areas are policies made?

Answer 4

1. government departments
2. cabinet committees
3. cabinet meetings
4. pm

Question 5

whats the role of government departments in policy making?

Answer 5

• where the bulk of policy is made
• civil servants outline the options and risks
• special advisors give more political advice
• outside groups lobby and submit ideas

Question 6

whats the role of cabinet committees in policy making?

Answer 6

• where many policies are approved, the full cabinet cant discuss everything
• help to coordinate the policies of similar departments
• cabinet office helps with coordination

Question 7

whats the role of cabinet meetings in policy making?

Answer 7

• where policy questions can be referred for a final decision
• cabinet acts more as a rubber stamp
• plays a bigger role in cooordinating policies rather than making them

Question 8

whats the role of the pm in policy making?

Answer 8

• where broad policy aims can be set
• the No.10 Policy Unit gives the pm advice and monitors the departments
• pm may hace bilateral, informal meetings with particular ministers

Question 9

give evidence for how policy making powers have been devolved from the executive to new branches (not devolution)

Answer 9

• 2020 roadmap taskforces
• committees tasked with guiding different sectors of the uk economy out of lockdown
• for example, recreation and leisure
• memebers included relevcant gov officials, ministers, and representatives from business and unions

Question 10

whats collective responsibility?

Answer 10

• all ministers are collectively responsible and accountable for the governments policies and performance

Question 11

what are 2 features of collective responsibiity?

Answer 11

• unanimity
• confidentiality

Question 12

whats unanimity?

Answer 12

• all ministers must support the cabinets decisions in the public, even if they dont agree with them

Question 13

give evidence of collective responsibility (unanimity)

Answer 13

• 2018 greg hands
• resigned as minister of state for trade policy to vote against plans for a 3rd runway at heathrow

Question 14

whats confidentiality?

Answer 14

• cabinet discussions and internal disagreements must be kept secret

Question 15

give evidence of collective responsibility (confidentiality)

Answer 15

• 2019 gavin williamson
• sacked as defence secretary
• an inquiry identified him as responsible for leaking details from an NSC meeting
• the meeting concerned the decision to allow chinese telecoms from huawei to build parts of the uks 5g wireless network

Question 16

why is collective responsibility important?

Answer 16

• if the govs position on an issue is unclear, it becomes hard for opposition parties and voters to effectively hold the gov to account

Question 17

in what 2 ways can collective responsibility be set aside?

Answer 17

• free votes
• agreements to differ

Question 18

give evidence of collective responsibility (free votes)

Answer 18

• backbench mps are freed from the part whip and ministers are also free to vote with their conscience
• 2013 Marriage Bill
• backed by pm but opposed by 2 cabinet ministers

Question 19

give evidence of collective responsibility (agreements to differ)

Answer 19

• gov has a position on an issue but cabinet suspends cr to allow ministers to vote against it
• 2016 EU Referendum
• 4 cabinet ministers sublicly supported remain

Question 20

give evidence of someone who broke ministerial code 2017

Answer 20

• 2017 resignation of secretary of state for international development preti patel
• she acted without official approval, holding unauthorised meetings with israeli politicians and officials

Question 21

translate ‘primus inter pares’

Answer 21

• first amon g equals

Question 22

who in our government is primus inter pares?

Answer 22

• the pm

Question 23

explain the Poll Tax 1990

Answer 23

• introduced by thatcher as part of her wider agenda to refrom local government finance
• despite widespread opposition - even in her own party - she pushed ahead with the policy
• shows her dominant control over cabinet and policymaking
• led to the poll tax riots, she was forced out by her own party later

Question 24

explain the Invasion of Iraq 2003

Answer 24

• committed the uk to join the us-led invasion of iraq on the grounds that saddam hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction
• he strongly influenced cabinet and parliamentary opinion despite mass public protests and controversy
• shows how he could centralise power
• damaged his legacy and lost public trust