the PM and the executive pt2

Question 1

cabinet gov - traditional model

Answer 1

• historically uk gov followed cabinet gov model
• it was the supreme policy-making body
• all major disputes within gov were settled in cabinet meetings
• cabinet approval required for policies to become official
• PM is primus inter pares - latin for ‘first among equals’ - not more powerful than other ministers - just by rank

Question 2

prime ministerial gov - modern shift

Answer 2

• since 1960s theres been shift from cabinet gov –> prime ministerial gov
• PM sets agenda of cabinet meetings + restricts debate
• PM uses media + public image to assert control + bypass cabinet discussion
• cabinet packed w the PMs loyal supporters - reducing dissent
• PM relies on prerogative powers and private advisors
• foreign policy is dominated by PM not cabinet

Question 3

key cabinet functions and how they work

Answer 3

1. policy formulation –> cabinet sets general policy direction + outlines legislative priorities –> EG - actual drafting normally done by departments/ cabinet committees eg smoking in cars with kids was agreed in cabinet but Dept of Health wrote the bill
2. crisis –> cabinet presents unity in crisis and agrees on response plans –> EG - handled by COBRA, chaired by PM and attended by key ministers
3. controlling parliamentary agendas - ministers use cabinet to priorities their depts legislation –> 2010-15 coalitions - the Quad (Cameron, Osborne, Clegg, Alexander) made the key decisions - not full cabinet
4. approving decisions made elsewhere –> cainet formally endoreses policies developed in committees or by depts –> EG cab committees make the real decisions eg on COVID - which were then approved later by the full cabinet
5. settling dept disputes –> cab can resolve conflicts between ministers –> mbut most handled privately eg 2017 May and Chancellor Hammond resolved disagreements over National Insurance behind the scenes

Question 4

circumstances LIMIT the power of the cabinet

Answer 4

1. size of majority –> PMs w large majority ignore cabinet concerns - knowing backbenchers will support policies EG –> Blair passed bank of england independence without full cabinet approval
2. prime ministerial preference –> some PMs prefer to dominate or sideline the cabinet + centralise decison-making EG May kept brexit dcisions secret from cabinet
3. PMs use patrnage to promote loyalists and exclude dissenters - BJ appointed ony pro-brexit to cabinet post 2019
4. importance of issue - PMs may exclude cabinet on minor matters or low risk decisions EG blair went ahead with building the Millennium Dome despite concerns

Question 5

circumstances INCREASE the power of the cabinet

Answer 5

1. small majority must rely on cabinet unity to survive politically - EG john Major had to appease Eurosceptics in cabinet during Maastricht debates
2. some PMs consult ministers and delegate which enhances cabinet influence EG - cameron allowed michael gove freedom to lead education reform
3. strong influential characters in the cabinet demand a say in gov policy. eg Blair had to balance cabinet roles between Brownites and Blairites
4. importance of issue - major issue requires full cabinet input to maintain party unity EG brown held long cabinet discussions on scrapping the 10p tax ban after threats of resignation

Question 6

difference between the parliamentary government and the presedential government

Answer 6

1. parl - executive drawn from legislature (fusion of powers). pres - executive and legislature separate (separation of powers)
2. parl - PM accountable to parliament. pres - President elected independently + has own mandate
3. parl - scrutiny happens in parliament via questions and committees. pres - president cant be summoned by legislature
4. parl - PM elected as MP - not directly by the ppl. pres - president directly elected by public

Question 7

how CAN PMs act as presidents

Answer 7

1. PMs becoming more central figure in GE - resembling US presidents who directly elected and campaign on personality and leadership EG - May 2017 GE all abt her ‘strong and stable’ leadership - limiting media appearances from other ministers
2. creating space between institutions like Parliament, their party, and the cabinet — positioning themselves above politics, like a US president.
3. PMs increasingly use powerful special advisers, like a US president’s White House staff, bypassing cabinet government. - BJ - gave huge influence to Dominic Cummings, who coordinated policy and communication during early COVID strategy and Brexit planning.
4. Like US presidents, PMs increasingly act without parliamentary approval in foreign policy, using the royal prerogative. - EG - May launched airstrikes on Syria in 2018 without prior Commons approval. Blair also bypassed early Commons votes over Kosovo in 1999.

Question 8

how CANNOT PMs act as presidents

Answer 8

1. about her “strong and stable” leadership, limiting media appearances from other ministers. She presented herself as the embodiment of Brexit leadership. Personalised campaigns are risky. If the PM’s image fails to connect, they become a liability. UK elections are still based on party, not direct election of the PM. - May lost her majority in 2017. Her slogan was mocked after U-turns on social care and her poor debate performances. This damaged her credibility and authority.

2.