the prime minister and the cabinet

Question 1

The prime minister and the cabinet

What is a ‘sofa government’

Answer 1

informal decision making circle of primeminister and their advisers

Question 2

The prime minister and the cabinet

Give an example of a sofa government

Answer 2

Tony Blair had a sofa government to discuss policy which included his chief of staff johnathan powell and his communications director alistair campbell

Question 3

The prime minister and the cabinet

What is a cabinet government

Answer 3

When the prime minister has equal decision making powers to the other members of the cabinet

Question 4

The prime minister and the cabinet

Give an example of a cabinet government

Answer 4

2010 - David Cameron ran a cabinet style governmnet due to coalition with Liberal-Democrats

Question 5

individual and collective responsibility

Give an example of Liam Fox and his individual minsterial responsibility

Answer 5

2011 Liam Fox resign as defence secreetary after he brought Adam Weritty to 18 foreign trips despite them having no relevence to the business

Question 6

individual and collective responsibility

Give an example of an advanatge of individual ministerial responsibility

Answer 6

in 2017 Micheal fallon resigned as defense secretary after claims were made about his sexual conduct

Question 7

individual and collective responsibility

Give an example of individual ministerial responsibility failing

Answer 7

In 2011 - Home secretary Theresa May refused to resign after allowing weaker border checks in the UK allowing foreign criminals and terrorist suspectcs to enter
- instead she blamed the UK head of border force Brodie clarke

Question 8

individual and collective responsibility

What is collective ministerial responsibility?

Answer 8

If an individual minister publicly disagrees with cabinet decisions then they must resign from the government

Question 9

individual and collective responsibility

Give an example of an MP resigning due to collective ministerial responsibility

Answer 9

In 2018 - Bojo resigned as foreign secretary after disagrreing with the governments ‘cheques deal’ when leaving the EU

Question 10

individual and collective responsibility

what is an advantage of collective ministerial responsibility

Answer 10

Ensures that the government appears united and all in support of one another with clear policies

Question 11

individual and collective responsibility

Give an example of sucessful collective ministerial responsibility

Answer 11

2013 - Lib Dems sided with Conservative ministers with rejecting a ‘mansion tax’ which they had previously supported - ensuring a strong coalition government

Question 12

individual and collective responsibility

What is a disadvantage of collective ministerial responsibility

Answer 12

Ministers often have to defend policies which they do not agree with that can be forced upon them by the prime minister

Question 13

individual and collective responsibility

Give an example of a disadvantage of collective ministerial responsibility

Answer 13

2003 - Tony Blairs cabinet were not asked if they approved of the invasion of Iraq until 3 days before the invasion where they felt forced to agree to war

Question 14

individual and collective responsibility

What is a relaxed collective ministerial responsibility

Answer 14

When a PM wants to keep a politician on their cabinet but knows that they cannot support a particular issue

Question 15

individual and collective responsibility

Give an example of relaxed collective ministerial responsibility

Answer 15

David Cameron relaxed collective ministerial responsibility during the EU referrendum - allowing ministers to campagn for or against leaving the EU

Question 16

Power of the PM

Give an example of the PM using their PM power prior to 1997

Answer 16

1982 Margaret Thatcher and Falklands war - used her crown progative powers to bypass parliament approval regarding the response to argentina’s invasion of the falklands islands
She rejected Micheal foot (leader of the opposition) call for a vote by saying that it was the governments righ to act independently on matters of national security

Question 17

The power of the PM

GIve an example of the PM using their power from 1997 to present

Answer 17

2003 - Tony Blair’s invasion of iraq used his crown progotive powers
Many people saw this as an abuse of this power

Question 18

The power of the PM

How have the Powers of the PM been reduced in foreign policy?

Answer 18

In 2013 - David Cameron gave parliament more opportunity to limit the crown progative
in 2013 he wanted to send UK forced into syria but was rejected by the commons

Question 19

Parliamenst holding the executive to account

What are ministers questions

Answer 19

Backbencher MP’s and Lord peers can question ministers on the activity of their department and make sure they know all of their departments work

Question 20

Parliamenst holding the executive to account

Give an advantage of PMQ’s

Answer 20

Important way of parliament directly holding the executive accountable

Question 21

Parliamenst holding the executive to account

Give a disadvantage of PMQ’s

Answer 21

Labelled ‘punch and judy’ politics due to it turning into an unruly shouting battle
Speaker John Bercow called PMQ’s a ‘shouting match every wednesday lunchtime’

Question 22

Parliament and executive: Committees

Give 2 advantages of select committees scrutinising the government

Answer 22

1. can question ministers in more detail than question time
2. can publish reports which ministers must respond to in 60 days

Question 23

Parliament and executive: Committees

Give an example of a select commitee report which must be responded to in 60 days

Answer 23

2023 Public accounts committe - report on NHS backlogs and waiting times
called on governments failing to reduce waiting times

Question 24

Parliament and executive: Voting

Give an example of sucessful backbench rebellion in the commons

Answer 24

Voted against the government with a 309-305 vote with 12 conservatives going against their own party in favour of giving parliament a vote on the final deal of brexit

Question 25

# Parliament and executive: Voting Give an example of how HOL vote can scrutinise the executive

Answer 25

By voting against passing legislation in 2016-2017 the Lords defeated 38 pieces of legislation

Question 26

# Parliament and executive: Voting What are 3 reasons parliamentary votes are ineffective

Answer 26

1. back bench rebellions are rare due to 3 line whips 2. large majority makes it difficult for government to be voted against 3. lords can only delay bills and propose amendments and the government can veto any delays

Question 27

# Parliament and executive: Voting Give an example of a sucessful vote of no confidence

Answer 27

PM James Callaghan called a vonc in 1979 which made him resign and call a general election which he lost

Question 28

# Parliament and executive: Voting Give an example of a VONC restoring government authority

Answer 28

John Major called a VONC in 1993 bc MP's were opposed to his governments support for the macchstrict treaty

Question 29

# Executive holding more power than parliament What is an elective dictatorship

Answer 29

Lord Hailsham - 1976 - was used as a criticism of callaghans gov Where the executive dominates the legislature mainly when the government has a large majority in the commons

Question 30

# Balance of power What did the wrights committee in 2009 grant

Answer 30

further power to select committees: reduce number of committees give MP's more voting power on the chairs of committees

Question 31

# Balance of power Give an example of a select committee from the 2009 reforms

Answer 31

the backbench business committee

Question 32

# Balance of power Give an example of the government consulting parliament before military action

Answer 32

Sought parliaments approval in sending UK forces to Syria in 2013

Question 33

# Balance of power Give an example of the government not consulting parliament before military action

Answer 33

2018 - Theresa May send air strikes to syria without consulting parliament first

Question 34

# Balance of power Give an example of the HOL holding power against the HOC

Answer 34

HOL defeated government in 2017 to enable people doing apprentiships and are under 20 to claim child benefits

Question 35

# imbalance of power Give an example of the executives dominance

Answer 35

Tony Blairs majority government was only defeated 4 times during it's 10 years in power

Question 36

# Parliamentary sovereignty How many people voted in the brexit refferendum

Answer 36

33.5 million

Question 37

# sovereignty what are 4 ways that soverignty has moved away from parliament

Answer 37

1. to the executive with the PM using progotive powers 2. judiciary due to 1998 HRA 3. european union 4. other political institutions such as devolved nations

Question 38

Give 3 ways that the role of the prime minister has changed in recent times

Answer 38

1. some like blair and thatcher have been said to have a presidential style of running 2. development of social media and 'celebrity culture' has led to a tighter focus on personality rather than the wider cabinet 3. increased media scrutiny have led to prime ministers taking messages directly to the pubic

Question 39

# how government policy in made Give an example of when the executive has fulfilled a manifesto pedge

Answer 39

2017 conservatives manifeston - offered 30 hours instead of 15 hours of free childcare to working parents of 3 and 4 year olds to increase parents in work and paying taxes this was in operation by september 2017

Question 40

# how government policy in made Give an example of how policy is made because of the personal convictions of the PM

Answer 40

1980 - The housing Act margaret thatcher already had a number of preexisting views before her time in office which she then further acted on such as the 'righ to buy' housing scheme for council house tenants results in engkand and wales for the number of council housing: in 1981 it was 5.4 million and in 1991 it was 4.5 million | SUCCESSFUL

Question 41

# how government policy in made Give an example of how policy is made through the outcome of a refferendum

Answer 41

2016 Brexit - May voted remain but sought to see brexit thrugh due to referendum resuts - however she failed which led to her resignation in june 2019

Question 42

# how government policy in made Give an example of how policy is made due to a deal with other coalition parties

Answer 42

2011 - AV referendum coalition between lib dems and conservatives - conservatives held a referndum for electoral reform to the AV system as the lib dema always wanted this as they saw FPTP as discriminating against smaller parties such as themselves

Question 43

# how government policy in made Give an example of how policy is made in response to national crisises

Answer 43

COVID-19 - Boris Johnson and conservative government constructed temporary field hospitals such as the nightingale hospital Coronavirus act 2020 was passed to provide penalties for those who do not abide by the restrictions

Question 44

# how government policy in made Give an example of how policy is made due to pressure from the public and media

Answer 44

Climate change policy - greta thumburg and school children highlighted ecological issues to government In 2019 the UK goverment pledged to have almost 0 greenhouse admissions by 2050

Question 45

# 9 marker plans What are 3 progative powers used by the PM

Answer 45

1. power to dictate policy 2. powers to national security 3. powers to appoint lords

Question 46

# CASE STUDY explain the poll tax case

Answer 46

1. In margaret thatchers 1987 manifesto the conservatives wished to reform the 'domestic rates' and replace them with a flat-rate tax payable by nearly all adults 2. this tax was set in motion in the uk in 1990 'the community charge' 3. poll tax riots broke out in march 1990 resulting in many injured and 400 arrests 4. many of her own cabinet went against her led by micheal heseltine but margaret would not listen 5. this shows how PM can push through policy and the dangers of rejecting advice from political allies

Question 47

# CASE STUDY Explain the decision to invade Iraq 2003

Answer 47

1. In 2003 Blair was approached by Bush to to commit UK troops to a US led invasion in Iraq 2. Blair justified this as the removal of WMD's but discredited intelligence reports that could have been done in 45 mins 3. no WMD's were found and 180 british lives were lost 4. large protests occured and his standing in the labour party was damaged

Question 48

# CASE STUDY Explain the decision to call an early election in 2017

Answer 48

1. Theresa May was unelected - called in after camerons resignation 2. She believed she needed a personal mandate to push brexit plans through so called a snap election on the 8th of June 3. However she was over confident in her campaign spending more than half of it in labour-held seats 4. the opinion polls looked favourable with a 20% conservative majority 5. she won but lost 13 seats - not hvaing a majority in parliament hindered her greatly and

Question 49

# The PM and The Cabinet what is patronage power

Answer 49

the PM power to appoint ministers

Question 50

# The PM and The Cabinet Give an example of a PM excecuting their patronage powers

Answer 50

Harold Macmillans 1962 reshuffle - dismissed 1/3 of cabinet 'knight of long knives'

Question 51

# The PM and The Cabinet Give an example of the PM not having authority over the cabinet

Answer 51

Tony blair could not convice his chancellor gordon brown to adopt the euro currency

Question 52

# The PM and The Cabinet Give an example of a cabinet committee that the PM has the power to structure

Answer 52

the covid-19 strategy

Question 53

# The PM and The Cabinet Give an example of the PM prioritising policies

Answer 53

BOJO's 'get brexit done'

Question 54

# The PM and The Cabinet What is the cabinet office

Answer 54

1. created in 1916 to provide support for cabinet system 2. 2050 civil servants work in this department 3. role is to support the prime minister and the effective running of government

Question 55

# The PM and The Cabinet What are 3 reasons that a cabinet government still exists

Answer 55

1. senior and influential ministers can be almost impossible to sack 2. cabinet remains key forum for policy decisions 3. ministerial resignations - former ministers now backbenches can be an internal oppoaition to PM

Question 56

# The PM and The Cabinet What are 3 reasons that a cabinetv government does not still exist

Answer 56

1. many decisions are made at cabinet committee level 2. PM can demote or sack poorly preforming ministers 3. PM can bypass formal cabinet structure through special advisers and cabinet office

Question 57

# Ministerial responsibility Explain Robin Cooks resignation

Answer 57

labour foreign sec from 1997-2001 disagreed with Tony Blair's involvement with the Iraq invasion and urged UK to work with european allies rather than US Cook delivered a powerful speech and composed a frank letter of resignation over this

Question 58

# Ministerial resignations give an example of a minister breaking the ministerial code and then resigning

Answer 58

2012 Lib-Dem MP Chris Huhne was forced to resign when breaking honesty princple getting his wife to take his speeding tickets points to prvent a driving ban

Question 59

# CASE STUDY Explain 'plebgate'

Answer 59

2012 chief whip andrew mitchell was forced to resign over an altercation with a police officer where he called him a 'pleb' big story due to camerons own background and he was on his way to an elite private members club

Question 60

What are 3 reasons to show that the executive is unaccountable to parliament

Answer 60

1. ministers favour style over substance in questioning - avoiding difficult questions 2. select committees have very little power 3. ministers can claim there were unaware of an error and with the PM backing - do not have to resign

Question 61

What are 3 reasons to show that the executive is accountable to parliament

Answer 61

1. PMQ's 2. all members of executive must follow ministerial code 3. prime minister must obtain support from their own party

Question 62

Define cabinet

Answer 62

a formal commitee of leading government members including heads of departments

Question 63

Define core executive

Answer 63

the informal network of individuals and groups that are involved with policy making

Question 64

Give 3 roles of the cabinet

Answer 64

1. approving policy 2. considering other MP's views 3. promote collective ministerial responsibility

Question 65

Define primus inter pares

Answer 65

first among equals - person who is equal to peers but holds higher authority

Question 66

What is a spAd

Answer 66

Special advisors to PM who give political advice

Question 67

Give an example of a spAd causing problems

Answer 67

control how things are worded to PM - e.g. Alistair campbells 'sexed up' 'dodgy dossier' containing the estimate of the duration of the Iraq invasion

Question 68

Give an example of labours safest seat

Answer 68

Liverpool Walton - held since 1964

Question 69

Explain Amber Rudds IMR

Answer 69

2018- Home sec civil servant- attempted to deport windrush immigarants and caused a scandal IMR - as she was civil servant

Question 70

How many select committe suggestions are actually accepted

Answer 70

40%

Question 71

How many Private Members bills were actually made into law from 2010 to 2017

Answer 71

46 out of 1,367

Question 72

what are 3 factors that affect the PM's selection of ministers

Answer 72

1. Ability and experience 2. establishing PMs authority 3. rewarding loyalty 4. maintaining balance between party factions

Question 73

Give an example of how ability and experience affects the PM's selection of ministers

Answer 73

Both Gordon Brown and George Osbourne were shadow chancellors before there role of chancellor

Question 74

Give an example of how establishing the PM's authority affects the PM's selection of ministers

Answer 74

May in 2015 - 10 people lost there jobs as she wanted to seperate herself from cameron and unify the conservative party and show authority in her power to reshuffle the cabinet not always the case - e.g. major did not reshuffle his cabinet immediately

Question 75

Give an example of how rewarding loyalty affects the PM's selection of ministers

Answer 75

old example - blair appointed key new labour supporter David Blunknett as home sec new example - Gavin willaims (education) and priti patel (home sec) were both allies of johnson and given key positions in cabinet

Question 76

Give an example of how maintaining balance between party factions affects the PM's selection of ministers

Answer 76

May had to balance the views on brexit leave - Johnson as foreign remain - Phillip hammond as chancellor