British Executive

Question 1

Who makes up the “core executive”?

Answer 1

1. The Prime Minister
2. The Prime Minister’s Office
3. The Cabinet / Cabinet Committees
4. Cabinet Office
5. “Special Advisors”

Question 2

Who is the Prime Minister?

Answer 2

The head of government

Question 3

What are the powers and responsibilities of the Prime Minister?

Answer 3

1. Appoints and dismisses cabinet members and junior ministers
2. Sets cabinet agenda
3. Chairs cabinet meetings
4. Sets the general tone and direction of policy
5. Party political leader
6. Directs and organizes government
7. Can call elections

Question 4

What is the Cabinet?

Answer 4

20-25 members chosen by the Prime Minister, usually from the House of Commons

Question 5

What does the Cabinet do?

Answer 5

Head government departments
Propose key policy changes
Agree on big executive decisions
Arbitrates policy differences between departments

Question 6

What do Cabinet Ministers do?

Answer 6

1. Explain and defend proposals to legislative committees
2. Answer questions before select committees
3. Answer questions at “question time”
4. May communicate with the public

Question 7

What is “collective responsibility”?

Answer 7

Idea that ministers are collectively responsible for all government policy and a minister should resign if they disagree

Question 8

What are ways a Prime Minister can be removed?

Answer 8

1. Electoral defeat
2. Losing a leadership contest in their party
3. Losing a no-confidence vote in parliament
4. Loss of party support may prompt resignation

Question 9

What do ministers do?

Answer 9

Direct and run departments and some agencies

Question 10

How are ministers recruited?

Answer 10

Politicians mostly from the House of Commons

Question 11

How are Civil Servants recruited?

Answer 11

Recruited by “merit”: competitive exam

Question 12

What are the key features of Civil Servants?

Answer 12

Permanence
Political Neutrality
Anonymity