The Prime Minister & Cabinet Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is the role of the Prime Minister?
Leader of the government, heads the executive branch
The Prime Minister normally resides at Number 10 Downing Street.
What are the main duties of the Prime Minister? List at least three.
- Appointing ministers
- Chairing meetings of the Cabinet
- Meeting the King every week
- Declaring War
- Appointing senior judges, clergy, and honours
- Recommending the dissolution of Parliament
- Attending Prime Minister’s Question Time
- Writing the King’s speech
Who are the members of the Cabinet?
About 20 of the most senior MPs appointed as ministers
The Cabinet is the PM’s inner circle.
What title is given to ministers that head a department?
Secretaries of State
What does the doctrine of ‘collective responsibility’ entail?
Ministers must publicly support government policy, even if they disagree privately.
What is meant by ‘individual ministerial responsibility’?
Ministers take responsibility for their department’s actions and should resign for serious errors.
Who are Civil Servants?
Permanent employees of the government who are politically neutral.
What is the relationship between politicians and civil servants?
Politicians decide policy; civil servants implement it.
What is the key rule regarding advisers and ministers?
‘Advisers advise and ministers decide.’
Who heads each department in the Civil Service?
A senior civil servant known as a ‘permanent secretary.’
Do civil servants change at election time?
No, they are expected to work with whichever politicians are elected.
