3.1 - The Structure, Role And Powers Of The Executive

Question 1

What is the structure of the executive

Answer 1

• at the top is the PM, who chairs the cabinet, managing its agenda. Appoints all cabinet and junior ministers,morganisss structure of gov, can create/abolish/merge departments
• the cabinet, consisting of 20-23 senior ministers. Main collective decision-making body in government
• government departments, specific responsibility over a specific area, like education, finance etc
• executive agencies, controlled by gov departments, eg: DVLA is controlled by department for transport

Question 2

What are the main roles of the executive

Answer 2

• decides how the country is run, home and abroad

Question 3

How is the executive important for proposing legislation

Answer 3

• the executive introduces proposals for new laws or amendments to existing laws, announcing a new programme at start of each parliamentary session in the kings speech

Question 4

How is the executive important in proposing the budget

Answer 4

• gov needs to raise revenue in order to fund public services
• budget is created by chancellor of the exechequer, in consultation with the PM
• it’s an annual statement of gov plans for changes to taxation and public spending
• need to add recent examples

Question 5

How is the executive important in making policy decisions

Answer 5

• executive has to decide how to give effects to its aims for the future direction if the country
• need to add recent examples

Question 6

What are royal prerogative powers

Answer 6

• A set of powers which historically belonged to the crown, gradually given to PM,
• such as granting of honours or legal pardons, sign treaties, declare war, grant/withdraw passports, appoint ministers

Question 7

What 2 powers of the prerogative powers have been abolished/reformed?

Answer 7

• the 2011 fixed term parliaments act removed the right of the PM to determine the date of the general election, however it is possible with support of MPs to bypass this, Theresa May 2017
• accepted that military action requires prior parliament approval

Question 8

What is the initiation of legislation?

Answer 8

• executive controls most of parliamentary time available for legislation
• if a party has a good majority, it can rely on party whips and power of patronage to push through
• rebellions can occur though

Question 9

What is secondary legislation

Answer 9

• law made without passing a new act of parliament, using powers created by an earlier act
• most common form is statutory instruments
• although parliament can debate and jpreject a statutory law, 2/3 of them become law without being put before MPs