what is the relationship like between the Prime Minister and their Cabinet Flashcards
(31 cards)
1
Q
who is the PM
A
Keir Starmer
2
Q
who is the deputy PM
A
Angela Rayner
2
Q
who is the Chancellor of the Exchequer
A
Rachel Reeves
3
Q
who is the Foreign Secretary
A
David Lammy
4
Q
who is the Home secretary
A
Yvette Cooper
5
Q
who is the Education Secretary
A
Bridget Phillipson
5
Q
who is the Defence secretary
A
John Healy
6
Q
who is the Justice secretary
A
Shabana Mahmood
7
Q
who is the Health Secretary
A
Wes Streeting
8
Q
who is the Energy Secretary
A
Ed Miliband
9
Q
what are the institutional powers that the PM has over their cabinet
A
- appointing and dismissing ministers
- chairing weekly meetings
- sometimes chairing cabinet committees
- dictating policy priorities
- The Cabinet Office
- Commanding (usually) a commons majority
- issuing honours, like life peerage
10
Q
personal powers that the PM has over their cabinet
A
- the momentum and political capital that comes with leading a party to an election victory
- management of colleagues in the cabinet and the backbenches
- being an effective communicator and national leader
- the ability to unite the party
- the ability to manage the economy and respond to crisis
11
Q
who was Suella Braverman
A
Home secretary under Truss and then Sunak
12
Q
what were the key features of Braverman’s resignation (under Sunak)
A
- sends her letter to all newspapers
- purpose of letter was to undermine Rishi Sunak
- “uncertain, weak, and lacking in the qualities of leadership” (Braverman on Sunak)
13
Q
evidence of Patronage powers and the cabinet
A
- PM appoints/ dismisses ministers (e.g. Sunak sacked Suella Braverman 2023)
- can reward loyalty (e.g. Boris Johnson promoted allies like Priti Patel
14
Q
what does Braverman’s resignation (under sunak) reveal about the tensions that exist between the power of the PM and their Cabinet
A
- power dynamics between powerful people
- inter-party opposition within the cabinet
15
Q
Analysis of Patronage powers and the cabinet
A
- strengthens PM authority by shaping a loyal cabinet
- Risk of “yes-men” undermines collective Cabinet responsibility
- political constraints: must balance party factions, experience, and public image
- patronage limited by events (e.g. forced reshuffles after scandals or resignations.)
16
Q
Evidence of authority over the cabinet
A
- Ministerial appointments/ removals - sunak sacked Braverman (2023) and reshuffled cabinet (e.g. appointing David Cameron as foreign secretary)
- Enforcing collective responsibility - Braverman was removed for breaching cabinet unity
- Cabinet reshuffles - PMs routinely reshape Cabinet to assert authority or manage factions (e.g. Johnson’s 2021 reshuffle.)
17
Q
Analysis of authority over the cabinet
A
- shows PM’s dominance in controlling Cabinet membership and messaging
- however, authority can be constrained by party factions or political pressure (e.g. keeping key rivals to avoid backlash)
- power is strongest with majority support and party unity - can weaken in divided or lame-duck government
18
Q
evidence of Cabinet committees
A
- small groups of ministers handling detailed policy work
- help manage government’s workload efficiently
- examples: National Security Committee, Economic Affairs Committee
- decisions often shape government policy before full cabinet approval
- allows for specialised focus on complex issues
- increases speed and coordination in decision making
19
Q
analysis of Cabinet committees
A
- improve efficiency by dividing cabinet workload
- enable in-depth discussion without overburdening full cabinet
- can centralise power in committee chairs, reducing full cabinet’s role
- risk of transparency since committees meet privately
- enhance policy expertise but may limit broader ministerial input
- reflects modern governance’s need for flexible, agile decision-making
20
Q
evidence of dictating policy priorities
A
- PM controls Cabinet agenda and chairs meetings
- sets legislative program via the Queen’s/ King’s speech
- leads manifesto pledges (e.g. Johnson’s “Get Brexit Done”)
- can reorganise government departments (e.g. Sunak creating Department for Science, Innovation & Tech 2023
- influences spending via Treasury (if aligned with Chancellor)
21
Q
analysis of dictating policy priorities
A
- strong mandate = more control (e.g. landslide wins like Blair 1997)
- internal party unity boosts authority; rebellion weakens it (e.g. May and Brexit)
- Cabinet rivals or factions can resist (e.g., Truss vs. Sunak supporters)
- Economic or global crises can shift focus (e.g. COVID-19)
- media and public opinion can pressure policy changes (e.g., U-turns on tax plans)
22
Q
Evidence of The Cabinet Office
A
- coordinates policy across UK government departments
- supports the PM and cabinet
- Houses key committees (e.g. COBR for emergencies)
- manages civil service
- oversees national security and government resilience
- played a key role during COVID-19 (e.g., data coordination, daily briefings)
22
Analysis of The Cabinet Office
- enhances cross-departmental efficiency and unity
- strengthens PM's control over policy delivery
- central role allows fast responses in crises (e.g. pandemic, terror threats)
- risk of over-centralisation - can undermine individual departments' autonomy
- increasingly influential in modern governance and crisis management
23
evidence of The Party Leader
- PM is leader of largest party in Commons
- Sets party's agenda, manifesto, and tone
- leads election campaigns and media strategy
- can be removed by party (e.g. Truss 2022)
- Controls key appointments (e.g. Cabinet)
- Whips ensure MPs follow party line
23
Analysis of The Party Leader
- strong leadership = risk of rebellion (e.g. May, Johnson)
- media presence can boost party image and votes
- balancing personal power vs. party demands is key
- internal divisions (e.g. Brexit) can limit leader's control
- party rules, not just public support, determine survival
24
Evidence of dispensing honours
- PM has wide discretion over honours (e.g. resignation honours)
- boris Johnson's list included controversial figures (e.g. partygate-linked allies)
- HoL Appointments Commission can advise but not block peerages
- media reports of political donors receiving honours (e.g. "cash for honours" claims)
some honours recipients have limited public service contribution
25
Analysis of dispensing honours
- risks of patronage: honours may reward loyalty over merit
- undermines public trust in the integrity of the system
- seen as politicising state recognition mechanisms
- weak oversight: PM's power largely unchecked
- calls for reform suggest need for transparency and accountability
26
what is the Cabinet Office
a UK government department that acts as the centre of government, supporting the Prime Minister and ensuring the effective running of government
27
what are cabinet committees
small, specialized groups of ministers, chosen by the Prime Minister, that focus on specific policy areas
