The role of PM

Question 1

What is the PM the head of?

Answer 1

The UK government

Question 2

What does the PM do?

Answer 2

• Provides leadership within the cabinet and the country as a whole
• Chairs the cabinet
• Appoints ministers
• Leads the largest party in the commons

Question 3

When did the position of PM emerge?

Answer 3

In the early 18th century, as the accepted title for the first lord of the treasury

Question 4

Who is recognised as the first PM?

Answer 4

Robert Walpole (1721-42), due to commanding majority support within the commons and cabinet

Question 5

How does the cabinet manual, a paper describing the workings of the executive, describe the role of PM?

Answer 5

As the head of government

Question 6

Why is the position of the PM somewhat unclear?

Answer 6

Because their precise role is not set out in statute law

Question 7

List the 8 key functions of the PM

Answer 7

• Political leadership
• National leadership
• Appointing the government
• Chairing the cabinet
• Managing the executive
• Prerogative powers
• Managing relations with parliament
• Representing the UK in international affairs

Question 8

How does the PM provide political leadership?

Answer 8

They determine the direction of government by setting its policies and strategy

Question 9

How does the PM provide national leadership?

Answer 9

As the prominent political figure the PM must provide leadership at times of crisis. They are responsible for national security and act as communicator in chief for the government

Question 10

How does the PM appoint the government?

Answer 10

They determine the membership of government by appointing and dismissing ministers

Question 11

How does the government chair the cabinet?

Answer 11

The PM chairs cabinet meetings, sets its agenda and steers its decisions. They create cabinet committees and hold bilateral meetings with ministers

Question 12

How does the PM manage the executive?

Answer 12

Responsible for the overall organisation of the government and is the head of the civil service

Question 13

How does the PM use prerogative powers?

Answer 13

They can do things like deploy forces overseas and use patronage

Question 14

How does the PM manage relations with parliament?

Answer 14

They will make statements to and answer questions in the commons. They also shape the governments legislative agenda

Question 15

How does the PM represent the UK in international affairs?

Answer 15

Represents the UK in high level international diplomacy

Question 16

What are the three main requirements to become PM?

Answer 16

• They must be an MP
• They must be the leader of a political party
• The political party they lead must usually have a majority in the commons

Question 17

Explain the idea that a PM must be an MP

Answer 17

The PM used to be a lord in the 19th century, but as the commons emerged as the dominant chamber it has become a constitutional convention that the PM is a member of the commons. When Alec Douglas home became PM in 1963 he forfeited his position as a peer and successfully ran in a by-election.

Question 18

Explain the idea that the PM must be a party leader

Answer 18

The PM must enjoy the support of their party; if they are ousted as party leader, they must also step down as PM. Thatcher stepped down in 1990 after failing to win a conservative party leadership election. 6 of the last 8 PMs have gained the position due to an internal leadership contest

Question 19

Explain the idea that the PM must command a commons majority?

Answer 19

The monarch will invite the MP who command a commons majority to form a government. PMs defeated in a general election must resign

Question 20

Outline the features of a majority government?

Answer 20

• One party has an absolute majority in the commons
• This political party forms a government
• Government ministers are members of this one party

Question 21

Outline the features of a minority government?

Answer 21

• No party has an absolute commons majority
• One party will form a government but must try to ensure support on key measures from smaller parties using something like a confidence and supply deal
• All ministers are members of this governing party

Question 22

Outline the features of a coalition government?

Answer 22

• No party has an absolute majority in the commons
• Two or more parties agree to form a coalition government, with a formal agreement on a policy programme
• Ministerial positions are shared between multiple governing parties, based on a formal agreement on the distribution of posts