Central Government & Accountability

Question 1

What powers/responsibilities does the PM have

Answer 1

The power to change the organisation of government by creating/abolishing government departments and appointing senior civil servants

Primary constitutional advisor to the Monarch

National security and intelligence

Deploying the armed forces

IR and Brexit

Question 2

How are government ministers appointed?

Answer 2

Formally, ministerial appointments are made by the monarch on advice of the PM (but M won’t refuse, so PM really decides)

Question 3

What are the two kinds of restrictions the PM has in appointing ministers?

Answer 3

Conventional Restrictions: Ministers must have a seat in either HoC or HoL

Political Restrictions: PM must ensure they have the support of their MPs to stay in power

Question 4

Composition of the Cabinet

Answer 4

PM
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Secretaries of State who lead gov departments
Lord Chancellor and SoS for Justice
Leader of HoC
Leader of HoL
Chief Whip

Question 5

What does the cabinet do?

Answer 5

The make decisions to:
- Take military action
- Determine legislative agenda
- Determine domestic policy
- Address national emergencies

etc.

Question 6

Carltona Doctrine

Answer 6

When a SoS is given power through an act of parliament, that power may be exercised by a civil servant within that SoS’ department

Question 7

What does the Privy Council do?

Answer 7

Passes Orders in Council

Question 8

Orders in Council: Primary or Secondary legislation?

Answer 8

Any Orders in Council made under the royal prerogative are considered Primary Legislation

Any Orders in Council made under powers granted by statute are Secondary Legislation

Question 9

Collective responsibility of ministers

Answer 9

Ministers must maintain support for government policy in public and before parliament. If they cannot support a particular policy, they must resign.

Any internal gov conversations when developing policy are confidential.

This rule can be set aside by the PM in certain situations, such as during referendums

Question 10

Individual Responsibilities of Ministers

Answer 10

Duty not to mislead parliament

Responsibility and accountability to Parliament for their department

Question 11

When must a minister give and account, when do they need to take responsibility

Answer 11

Policy failure = take responsibility (could mean resignation)

Operational failure = give an account + take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again