Cabinet Examples

Question 1

How many members make up the government

Answer 1

100

Question 2

Typical number of members in the cabinet

Answer 2

23

Question 3

Typical number of senior non-cabinet posts

Answer 3

15

Question 4

Typical number of junior ministers in the government but not in the cabinet

Answer 4

60

Question 5

Typical number of whips

Answer 5

17

Question 6

Example that all members of the govt. must sit in parliament

Answer 6

Chris Grayling

Question 7

Example of backbencher MP from 2015-17

Answer 7

Philip Hollobone - ignoring party orders 129 times

Question 8

Example of members of government appointed by pm

Answer 8

Theresa May appointed Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary

Question 9

Example of coalition responsibility under the coalition

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Example of reliable minister appointment

Answer 10

Tony Blair appointed Robin Cook as foreign secretary

Question 11

Example of a minister appointed with potential

Answer 11

James Wharton was appointed a minister by Theresa May aged just 32
Department for international development

Question 12

Example of a minister appointed due to a similar philosophy

Answer 12

May and Hammond

Question 13

Example of a minister appointed due to good managerial skill

Answer 13

Sir Michael Fallon - much experience

Question 14

What was the split of cabinet

ministers under the coalition

Answer 14

18 Conservatives

5 Lib Dems

Question 15

Example of ‘agreements to differ’ under 2010 coalition

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Example of weaker collective responsibility under the coalition

Answer 16

2012 changes to the NHS

Question 17

Example of cabinet settling ministerial disputes

Answer 17

E.g. govt. spending when a minister’s budget is cut

Question 18

Example of decision made within cabinet

Answer 18

Legalisation of same-sex marriage 2013

Question 19

Example of collective responsibility

Answer 19

Ian Duncan Smith resigned in 2016 citing pressure to make cuts to disability benefits

Question 20

Example of PM being outvoted by cabinet

Answer 20

John Major in the 90s

Question 21

Example that the PM is more dominant (cabinet power has diminished nowadays)

Answer 21

Patronage powers - appointing a like-minded cabinet

Question 22

Example that cabinet departments are more independent now

Answer 22

Treasury was very independent when Gordon Brown was chancellor under Blair

Question 23

Example of when collective responsibility has been suspended

Answer 23

Brexit

Question 24

Example of individual ministerial responsibility

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Example of a temporary committee

Answer 25

European Union Exit and Trade Committee - Chaired by Theresa May Olympics

Question 26

Example of a sub-committee

Answer 26

National security council - Chaired by Theresa May

Question 27

Example of a cabinet committee

Answer 27

Immigration committee

Question 28

Example of cabinet meetings being shorter

Answer 28

Can be as short as 30 minutes. The prime minister normally has a weekly audience with the queen

Question 29

Example of decision making being moved to the 10 downing street organisation

Answer 29

Think tanks Political advisors Eg. PM's private office - led by Simon Case

Question 30

Example of PM conducting business by discussing policy with an individual minister

Answer 30

Blair - Sofa politics | Wilson - Kitchen politics

Question 31

Example of PM's advisor

Answer 31

Fiona Hill - joined downing street in 2016 with May - Involved in trouser-gate scandal

Question 32

Example of power of the PM

Answer 32

They are effectively | commander in chief - Afghanistan

Question 33

Example that most policy making now takes place within committees

Answer 33

May chairs all 4 policy committees as well as 3 subcommittees and 3 taskforces

Question 34

Example of cabinet resolving disputes

Answer 34

Disputes over new free schools was resolved in 2010 under the coalition

Question 35

Example of cabinet making important decisions

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Example of cabinet dealing with emergencies

Answer 36

Following 9/11 | Following June 2005

Question 37

Example of cabinet making decisions on presentation of policy

Answer 37

Long term economic plan

Question 38

Example of cabinet legitimising policy proposals

Answer 38

Fixed term Parliaments Act 2011

Question 39

Example of a cabinet choice due to popularity

Answer 39

Vinca Cable 2010

Question 40

Example of a minister appointment to prevent a potential rebel due to collective responsibility

Answer 40

May appointed Boris Johnson

Question 41

Example of a minister chosen because they are great political allies

Answer 41

Cameron and Osborne

Question 42

Example of an ideologically united cabinet

Answer 42

Thatcher in 1983 | Blair in 1997

Question 43

Example of a cabinet without any unity

Answer 43

Major

Question 44

Who is currently chief whip

Answer 44

Julian Smith

Question 45

Which minister criticised the judiciary over Brexit

Answer 45

Iain Duncan Smith