3.1 The Structure, role, and powers of the Executive Flashcards
- The structure of the Executive; the PM, Cabinet Ministers, Government departments - The role of the Executive; legislative, policy implementation and budget - The powers of the Executive; including prerogative powers
The Prime Minister
Appointed by the monarch and the head of the executive
The Cabinet
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
Junior ministers
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
The Civil Service
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
Who is head of the executive?
The Prime Minister - this comes under the Royal Prerogative
Define royal prerogative
Set of powers and privileges belonging to the monarch but exercised by the PM or Cabinet
What is the role of the executive?
- Proposing legislations
- Proposing a budget
- Responding to a crisis
- Public Services
- Implement legislations
- Making policy decisions within laws and the budget
Outline the sources of prime ministerial authority and power
- Traditional authority
- Party
- Parliament
- Patronage
- People
What are the formal powers of the Prime Minister - Patronage?
- Appointing ministers
- Appointing judges and peers
- Granting honours
What are the formal powers of the Prime Minister - Meetings?
- Chairs cabinet meetings and sets the agenda
What are the formal powers of the Prime Minister - Foreign policy?
- Foreign policy leader
- Foreign treaties and international agreements
What are the formal powers of the Prime Minister - Defence?
- Commander in chief
What are the formal powers of the Prime Minister - Elections and Parliament?
- Can call an early general election and the power to recall Parliament