Cabinet Examples Flashcards
How many members make up the government
100
Typical number of members in the cabinet
23
Typical number of senior non-cabinet posts
15
Typical number of junior ministers in the government but not in the cabinet
60
Typical number of whips
17
Example that all members of the govt. must sit in parliament
Chris Grayling
Example of backbencher MP from 2015-17
Philip Hollobone - ignoring party orders 129 times
Example of members of government appointed by pm
Theresa May appointed Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary
Example of coalition responsibility under the coalition
2 lib dem junior ministers resigned in 2010 rather than support govt policy increasing tuition fees, but the 5 cabinet ministers supported it and kept their offices
Example of reliable minister appointment
Tony Blair appointed Robin Cook as foreign secretary
Example of a minister appointed with potential
James Wharton was appointed a minister by Theresa May aged just 32
Department for international development
Example of a minister appointed due to a similar philosophy
May and Hammond
Example of a minister appointed due to good managerial skill
Sir Michael Fallon - much experience
What was the split of cabinet
ministers under the coalition
18 Conservatives
5 Lib Dems
Example of ‘agreements to differ’ under 2010 coalition
Lib Dems did not support the move towards more nuclear power generation, but had to support specific cabinet decisions to build new nuclear power stations
Example of weaker collective responsibility under the coalition
2012 changes to the NHS
Example of cabinet settling ministerial disputes
E.g. govt. spending when a minister’s budget is cut
Example of decision made within cabinet
Legalisation of same-sex marriage 2013
Example of collective responsibility
Ian Duncan Smith resigned in 2016 citing pressure to make cuts to disability benefits
Example of PM being outvoted by cabinet
John Major in the 90s
Example that the PM is more dominant (cabinet power has diminished nowadays)
Patronage powers - appointing a like-minded cabinet
Example that cabinet departments are more independent now
Treasury was very independent when Gordon Brown was chancellor under Blair
Example of when collective responsibility has been suspended
Brexit
Example of individual ministerial responsibility
In 2012, Chris Huhne resigned resigned from environment secretary when he was charged with a crime relating to the police over a drinking offence conduct
Example of a temporary committee
European Union Exit and Trade Committee - Chaired by Theresa May
Olympics
Example of a sub-committee
National security council - Chaired by Theresa May
Example of a cabinet committee
Immigration committee
Example of cabinet meetings being shorter
Can be as short as 30 minutes. The prime minister normally has a weekly audience with the queen
Example of decision making being moved to the 10 downing street organisation
Think tanks
Political advisors
Eg. PM’s private office - led by Simon Case
Example of PM conducting business by discussing policy with an individual minister
Blair - Sofa politics
Wilson - Kitchen politics
Example of PM’s advisor
Fiona Hill - joined downing street in 2016 with May - Involved in trouser-gate scandal
Example of power of the PM
They are effectively
commander in chief - Afghanistan
Example that most policy making now takes place within committees
May chairs all 4 policy committees as well as 3 subcommittees and 3 taskforces
Example of cabinet resolving disputes
Disputes over new free schools was resolved in 2010 under the coalition
Example of cabinet making important decisions
The Millenium Dome - Blair wanted it built despite opposition so he chose to seek a full cabinet decision
In 2005 a fierce opposition was expected for the introduction of identity cards so it was felt that collective government approval was needed
Example of cabinet dealing with emergencies
Following 9/11
Following June 2005
Example of cabinet making decisions on presentation of policy
Long term economic plan
Example of cabinet legitimising policy proposals
Fixed term Parliaments Act 2011
Example of a cabinet choice due to popularity
Vinca Cable 2010
Example of a minister appointment to prevent a potential rebel due to collective responsibility
May appointed Boris Johnson
Example of a minister chosen because they are great political allies
Cameron and Osborne
Example of an ideologically united cabinet
Thatcher in 1983
Blair in 1997
Example of a cabinet without any unity
Major
Who is currently chief whip
Julian Smith
Which minister criticised the judiciary over Brexit
Iain Duncan Smith
