3.1 The Structure, role, and powers of the Executive

Question 1

The Prime Minister

Answer 1

Appointed by the monarch and the head of the executive

Question 2

The Cabinet

Answer 2

Senior people in the executive, mostly made up of Secretaires of State (senior ministers) who run government departments. These are appointed by the Prime Minister

Question 3

Junior ministers

Answer 3

These are appointed by the PM but are not part of the Cabinet. They assist SOS in the running and policy decisions of a government department

Question 4

The Civil Service

Answer 4

Permanent officials who carry out the day-to-day running of government departments. They advise ministers and enact policy decisions made by the ministers; they do not make policy decisions themselves

Question 5

Who is head of the executive?

Answer 5

The Prime Minister - this comes under the Royal Prerogative

Question 6

Define royal prerogative

Answer 6

Set of powers and privileges belonging to the monarch but exercised by the PM or Cabinet

Question 7

What is the role of the executive?

Answer 7

• Proposing legislations
• Proposing a budget
• Responding to a crisis
• Public Services
• Implement legislations
• Making policy decisions within laws and the budget

Question 8

Outline the sources of prime ministerial authority and power

Answer 8

• Traditional authority
• Party
• Parliament
• Patronage
• People

Question 9

What are the formal powers of the Prime Minister - Patronage?

Answer 9

• Appointing ministers
• Appointing judges and peers
• Granting honours

Question 10

What are the formal powers of the Prime Minister - Meetings?

Answer 10

• Chairs cabinet meetings and sets the agenda

Question 11

What are the formal powers of the Prime Minister - Foreign policy?

Answer 11

• Foreign policy leader
• Foreign treaties and international agreements

Question 12

What are the formal powers of the Prime Minister - Defence?

Answer 12

• Commander in chief

Question 13

What are the formal powers of the Prime Minister - Elections and Parliament?

Answer 13

• Can call an early general election and the power to recall Parliament