The Prime Minister and cabinet

Question 1

What are the core powers of the Prime Minister?

Answer 1

Leadership of government, Cabinet chair, patronage, directing policy, national representation, foreign affairs.

Question 2

What is meant by ‘primus inter pares’?

Answer 2

Latin for ‘first among equals’ – describes the PM’s status as head of Cabinet.

Question 3

What are the formal powers of the PM as head of government?

Answer 3

Appointing ministers, leading the executive, setting policy direction.

Question 4

What are the prerogative powers of the PM?

Answer 4

Powers exercised on behalf of the Crown, including declaring war, signing treaties, and appointing ministers.

Question 5

What are the constraints on the power of the Prime Minister?

Answer 5

Cabinet resistance, public opinion, party divisions, media scrutiny, Parliament.

Question 6

How does the PM set the political agenda?

Answer 6

By shaping legislation, media messaging, and leading party priorities.

Question 7

How does the PM use patronage to maintain power?

Answer 7

Appointing loyal MPs to Cabinet, rewarding supporters, controlling career progression.

Question 8

What is the role of the PM in foreign policy?

Answer 8

Leading international negotiations, representing UK abroad, controlling military action (prerogative).

Question 9

What is the PM’s role in managing the Cabinet?

Answer 9

Chairing meetings, setting agenda, resolving disputes, appointing/dismissing ministers.

Question 10

How does the PM exercise power through the civil service?

Answer 10

By directing civil servants via ministers and special advisers.

Question 11

What are the conventions for selecting a Prime Minister?

Answer 11

Leader of the majority party in the Commons, invited by the monarch to form a government.

Question 12

How does party majority affect the PM’s authority?

Answer 12

A large majority increases authority; a minority or coalition weakens control.

Question 13

How does media and public opinion impact PM authority?

Answer 13

Positive coverage boosts legitimacy; scandals or criticism weaken leadership.

Question 14

What is the role of Parliament in checking the PM?

Answer 14

Debates, select committees, PMQs, and votes of no confidence.

Question 15

How do general elections affect the legitimacy of a Prime Minister?

Answer 15

Winning a general election gives a strong mandate; unelected PMs may face legitimacy issues.

Question 16

What are the constitutional limits on PM power?

Answer 16

Conventions, Parliament, rule of law, judicial review, fixed-term elections.

Question 17

What is the composition of the Cabinet?

Answer 17

Senior ministers, mostly heads of government departments, appointed by the PM.

Question 18

How are Cabinet ministers appointed?

Answer 18

By the Prime Minister, usually from the governing party in the Commons or Lords.

Question 19

What is collective ministerial responsibility?

Answer 19

Cabinet must present a united front; all ministers must support decisions or resign.

Question 20

What is individual ministerial responsibility?

Answer 20

Ministers are accountable for their personal conduct and their department’s performance.

Question 21

What are the main functions of the Cabinet?

Answer 21

Policy coordination, dispute resolution, crisis response, legitimising decisions.

Question 22

What is the role of Cabinet Committees?

Answer 22

Specialised groups that prepare policy proposals and decisions for the full Cabinet.

Question 23

What is the difference between full Cabinet meetings and Cabinet Committees?

Answer 23

Full Cabinet approves decisions; Committees work on detailed issues.

Question 24

How often does the full Cabinet meet?

Answer 24

Usually once a week, though frequency can vary.

Question 25

What factors affect the balance of power between the PM and Cabinet?

Answer 25

PM’s majority, political unity, experience, external events.

Question 26

What is a 'presidential' Prime Minister?

Answer 26

A PM who acts independently of Cabinet, centralises power, and uses media directly.

Question 27

How can Cabinet restrain a Prime Minister?

Answer 27

Collective pushback, resignations, threats of rebellion.

Question 28

In what ways can the PM dominate the Cabinet?

Answer 28

Controlling appointments, setting agenda, bilateral meetings, media dominance.

Question 29

What are examples of Cabinet resignations weakening the PM?

Answer 29

Robin Cook and Clare Short resigning under Blair (Iraq); Rishi Sunak resigning under Johnson.

Question 30

How did Thatcher’s Cabinet disputes contribute to her downfall?

Answer 30

She lost support over Europe and the poll tax, leading to her resignation.

Question 31

How did Tony Blair manage his Cabinet?

Answer 31

Used 'sofa government', relied on advisers, limited full Cabinet discussion.

Question 32

What is 'sofa government'?

Answer 32

Informal decision-making by the PM with close advisers rather than full Cabinet consultation.

Question 33

What is a Secretary of State?

Answer 33

A senior Cabinet minister in charge of a major department.

Question 34

What is a junior minister?

Answer 34

A minister below Cabinet rank, often with a specific portfolio.

Question 35

What is a special adviser (SpAd)?

Answer 35

A temporary political appointee who advises ministers.

Question 36

What is the difference between civil servants and ministers?

Answer 36

Civil servants are permanent and neutral; ministers are political and accountable.

Question 37

What is the role of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Answer 37

Responsible for economic policy, taxation, and public spending.

Question 38

What is the role of the Home Secretary?

Answer 38

Oversees internal affairs, including policing, immigration, and security.

Question 39

How does Parliament limit the PM’s power?

Answer 39

Through legislation, select committees, debates, and no confidence motions.

Question 40

What is the role of the media in limiting PM power?

Answer 40

Media can expose scandals, criticise decisions, and shape public opinion.

Question 41

How can public opinion weaken a PM?

Answer 41

Declining popularity can lead to party pressure and electoral defeat.

Question 42

What role does the judiciary play in checking the executive?

Answer 42

Through judicial review and enforcing legal limits (e.g. Miller case).

Question 43

How do events and crises limit the executive?

Answer 43

Unexpected crises can derail policy and reveal poor leadership.

Question 44

What are the arguments that the PM is now more presidential?

Answer 44

Use of media, personalised leadership, central control, direct appeal to public.

Question 45

What are the arguments against the PM being presidential?

Answer 45

PM is accountable to Parliament and can be removed by party or MPs.

Question 46

What are the features of a dominant PM?

Answer 46

Large majority, party unity, strong media presence, control over Cabinet.

Question 47

What are the features of a weak or constrained PM?

Answer 47

Small majority, internal division, media attacks, frequent resignations.

Question 48

How does Cabinet government differ from prime ministerial government?

Answer 48

Cabinet government is collective decision-making; PM government is centralised power in one individual.

Question 49

Give an example of a PM using patronage power effectively.

Answer 49

Boris Johnson promoted loyal supporters during reshuffles to consolidate power.

Question 50

Give an example of a major Cabinet resignation damaging a PM.

Answer 50

Rishi Sunak’s resignation helped force Boris Johnson out in 2022.

Question 51

How did Theresa May lose control of her Cabinet during Brexit?

Answer 51

Repeated resignations and rebellions over Brexit plans showed loss of authority.

Question 52

How did Boris Johnson’s majority increase his control over Cabinet?

Answer 52

An 80-seat majority let him remove dissenters and pass legislation easily.

Question 53

What was the effect of Liz Truss’s Cabinet decisions on her leadership?

Answer 53

Poor economic policy and loss of Chancellor support led to her rapid downfall.

Question 54

How did Tony Blair’s use of special advisers change executive power?

Answer 54

Centralised power and bypassed traditional Cabinet channels.

Question 55

What case showed the limits of PM power through the judiciary?

Answer 55

Miller v PM (2019): Supreme Court ruled Johnson's prorogation of Parliament unlawful.

Question 56

How did David Cameron manage his Cabinet during the coalition government?

Answer 56

Used careful balance between Conservative and Lib Dem ministers.

Question 57

How did Gordon Brown differ in Cabinet style from Tony Blair?

Answer 57

Brown was more traditional and relied more on formal Cabinet discussions.

Question 58

What impact did the resignation of Sajid Javid have on Boris Johnson’s authority?

Answer 58

Showed tensions over PM's control; Sunak’s replacement suggested increasing centralisation.

Question 59

What is a real-world example of individual ministerial responsibility?

Answer 59

Amber Rudd resigned in 2018 over the Windrush scandal.

Question 60

What is a real-world example of collective ministerial responsibility being suspended?

Answer 60

During the 2016 Brexit referendum, ministers were allowed to campaign on either side.