3.3 the prime minister and cabinet

Question 1

Who does the power to appoint, reshuffle and dismiss ministers belong exclusively to?

Answer 1

Prime Minister

Question 2

What has been the only exception to the PM’s exclusive power to appoint, reshuffle and dismiss ministers?

Answer 2

David Cameron had to allow the Liberal democrats five of the 22 cabinet posts, and these were chosen by Nick Clegg

Question 3

What does the composition of a Cabinet depend on?

Answer 3

• ability and experience
• establishing PM authority
• rewarding loyalty
• maintaining a balance between different factions within the governing party
• meeting expectations of diversity

Question 4

What is the idea of a presidential government?

Answer 4

leadership is becoming much more personalised, and that prime ministers are distant from, and much less dependent on, traditional institutions such as the Cabinet

Question 5

What are the main factors that affect the relationship between the PM and cabinet and how it has changed?

Answer 5

• management skills of the PM
• PM’s ability to set the agenda
• use of cabinet committees and informal groups to take decisions
• the development of the PM’s office and the Cabinet office
• impact of the wider political and economic situation

Question 6

What will a determined and astute PM do in the Cabinet?

Answer 6

assert more control

Question 7

What are the reasons the cabinet remains an important body?

Answer 7

• approves government decisions
• on important issues the PM recognises the need for cabinet support
• where the programme of government business in parliament is discussed
• fall of Thatcher demonstrates the importance of keeping cabinet support
• the UK does not have a ‘presidential’ system in reality

Question 8

What are the reasons the prime minister is the dominant force in government?

Answer 8

• decisions are commonly taken by cabinet committees that are handpicked by the PM
• PM controls the agenda and length of cabinet meetings
• media focus heavily on the PM

Question 9

What are the factors which may enhance or restrict the prime ministers powers?

Answer 9

• the extent to which the governing party and cabinet are united
• personality and leadership style of the PM
• impact of external pressures (state of the economy, foreign affairs)
• popularity of the PM and size of the governing party’s parliamentary majority

Question 10

What are some of the PM’s powers?

Answer 10

• management of the cabinet
• leadership of the largest party in the HoC
• providing national leadership + representing the UK in international affairs
• direction of government policy