AO1 - Executive Flashcards
What are the Powers of the PM ?
- Patronage
- Authority within the Cabinet System
- Party leadership
- Public Standing
- Policy-making role
- the PM’s Office
What is the Role of the PM ?
- Political leadership
- National Leadership
- Appointing the government
- Charing the cabinet
- Managing the Executive
- Managing relations with Parliament
- Representing the UK in international affairs
What Patronage powers have been curtailed in recent years ?
- Judicial and Ecclesiastical appointments ~ introduced by Brown’s Gov
He/She can only appoint one - Honour system
Because of the ‘Cash for honours’ police in inquiry which ended in 2007 without Criminal Charges, So Blair announced the PM would accept the final list presented by independent honour committees - Life peers
An independent Appointments commission makes recommendations on non-party appointments to the Lords but the PM still makes political nominations. Blair appointed a large number of Labour peers before embarking on the House of Lords reforms
The PM’s authority in the Cabinet System ?
- Chairs Cabinet Meetings
- manages the agenda of cabinet meetings, and determines their frequency and length
- directs and sums up discussions
- creates Cabinet Committees and appoints members
- holds Bilateral meetings
- Appoints senior civil servants
- Organises the structure of government
A Working majority….
In Parliament strengthens the position of the PM
How ministers/aids resign to attempt to force a change in leadership in 2006 (under Blair) ?
One Junior minister and Six ministerial aides
What secret ballot failed to oust the PM in 2010 ?
A secret ballot on Brown’s leadership by Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt
How many MP are need to call a vote of No confidence on Cameron’s leadership ?
15% of Conservative MPs must write to the chair of Backbench committee proposing a veto
What role has the PM taken up on recent years ?
Communicator-in-Chief for government articulating its policy programme and objectives
Which two senior figures threatened to resign to force Thatcher to shift government policy on ERM ?
Chancellor Lawson and Foreign Secratary Geoffrey Howe in 1989
Give reasons for why the resources of the PM do bring him or her significant power ?
Patronage - Appoints ministers - Place allies - dismisses ministers and can appoint outsiders into government
Authority in the Cabinet system -
Give Reasons for the Presidentialisation of the PM’s Office
- Leadership in the executive has become personalised
- PM relies closely on a inner circle
- Spatial Leadership
- PM appeals to the public directly through media claiming a personal mandate
- PM has authority as party leader
Give Three examples of how the PM has become ‘de facto British Presidency’
- Cabinet was briefed only 24 time before the Iraq War - 1/3 of the British Army
- Tony’s control over the Good Friday agreement | took over Mo Mowlan’s role of Secretary of Northern Ireland
- Expansion of the PM’s Office | PM becoming Commander and chief of communication
