3.1 The Structure, Role And Powers Of The Executive Flashcards
What is the executive in the British parliamentary system?
The executive is the part of the government responsible for running the country. It includes the prime minister, the cabinet (senior ministers in charge of major government departments), and junior ministers. The executive is accountable to Parliament.
Who are the key members of the executive?
- The prime minister, who leads the government.
- The cabinet, a group of senior ministers responsible for important areas like home affairs and foreign policy.
- Junior ministers, who assist in running departments but do not attend cabinet meetings.
What is the role of the prime minister?
The prime minister is the leader of the government. They make major policy decisions, oversee the work of ministers, and represent the UK in international affairs. They also chair cabinet meetings where important decisions are made.
What is the role of the cabinet?
The cabinet is a group of senior ministers who run key government departments, such as the Home Office and Foreign Office. They meet regularly with the prime minister to discuss policies, make decisions on national issues, and help shape government priorities.
Who are junior ministers and what do they do?
Junior ministers work under cabinet ministers to help manage government departments. They focus on specific areas within a department, but they do not usually attend cabinet meetings or make top-level decisions.
What is the role of senior civil servants?
Senior civil servants help run government departments and make sure policies are carried out properly. They provide expert, neutral advice to ministers and help manage the daily operations of government.
Who is the highest-ranking civil servant?
The chief secretary to the cabinet is the top civil servant. They give unbiased advice to the prime minister, help organize cabinet meetings, and keep official records of discussions.
What is the core executive?
The core executive is the most powerful part of the government. It includes the prime minister, cabinet ministers, senior civil servants, and key political advisers. These people work together to make important decisions and run the country.
What is secondary legislation (delegated legislation)?
Secondary legislation allows government ministers to make small changes to laws without needing Parliament to pass a whole new law. This makes it quicker to update policies, but some people worry it gives ministers too much power without enough oversight.
Why is secondary legislation sometimes criticized?
Critics argue that secondary legislation reduces parliamentary control because laws can be changed without full debate. This means ministers can make significant decisions without proper scrutiny from MPs and the public.
How does the prime minister make decisions?
The prime minister relies on advice from cabinet ministers, civil servants, and political advisers. Their private office at 10 Downing Street helps them manage information, analyze policies, and prepare for meetings.
What is the role of the prime minister’s private office?
The private office is a team of advisers and officials who help the prime minister with their daily responsibilities. They provide briefings, research policy details, and ensure the prime minister has the information needed to make decisions.
How does someone become prime minister?
The prime minister is chosen by the king or queen, usually because they are the leader of the biggest party in the House of Commons.
Why is party support important for a prime minister?
A prime minister must keep the support of their party. If they lose it, they might have to resign, as happened with Margaret Thatcher (1990), Theresa May (2019), Boris Johnson (2022), and Liz Truss (2022).
Does the prime minister always come from the biggest party?
Usually, but not always. In 1940, Winston Churchill became prime minister even though he wasn’t party leader, as King George VI believed he was the best choice during WWII
Why do prime ministers have to be MPs?
It is a tradition that the prime minister must be a member of the House of Commons. In 1963, Lord Home was in the House of Lords but gave up his title and won a Commons seat to follow this rule.
Can a new prime minister be chosen without an election?
Yes, if the previous prime minister resigns. This happened when Rishi Sunak became prime minister in 2022 without a general election.
What is the prime minister’s main role?
The prime minister runs the government, making major decisions on policy, leadership, and national security.
What are royal prerogative powers?
Powers that originally belonged to the monarch but are now used by the prime minister without needing Parliament’s approval.
What are some key royal prerogative powers?
Choosing government ministers, appointing top civil servants and judges, selecting life peers, making foreign treaties, controlling the military, and deciding on nuclear weapons.
What was the royal pardon for Alan Turing?
In 2013, the government used the prime minister’s power to grant a royal pardon to Alan Turing, who had been punished for being gay in 1952 despite helping Britain win WWII.
How do prime ministers influence government priorities?
They set the direction of government policy. For example:
• Margaret Thatcher promoted free-market policies.
• Boris Johnson focused on ‘levelling up’ poorer areas.
• Liz Truss aimed to cut taxes and boost the economy.
What are government departments?
They are sections of the government responsible for managing specific areas like the Treasury, Home Office, and Education.
Who runs a government department?
A secretary of state, who is a senior minister in charge of a department. They are supported by junior ministers.
What is the role of government departments?
They create new laws, develop policies, and manage national services. They can introduce new legislation or make changes to existing laws through secondary legislation.
What is collective responsibility?
Once a decision is made by the government, all ministers must publicly support it, even if they disagreed earlier.
What do civil servants do in government departments?
Civil servants help carry out policies and give impartial advice. They are neutral and do not take political sides.
Who leads the civil service in each department?
The chief secretary, who ensures policies are implemented correctly but does not make political decisions.
Who is responsible if something goes wrong in a department?
The secretary of state, because elected politicians—not civil servants—are held accountable for government actions.
