Chapter 7 - 1/4 - The executive in the UK Flashcards
What are the main roles of the executive?
- Develop government policy.
- Conducting foreign policy.
- Managing state finances.
- Managing the forces of law and order, including the police, courts, armed forces, and intelligence services.
Who is head of the civil service?
The prime minister.
What is the role of the civil service?
To serve the government while remaining neutral, forbidden from serving the political interests of the governemnt.
What are the main components of the core executive?
- The prime minister and their close advisors.
- The cabinet - between 20 and 25 senior ministers.
- Government departments.
- Senior civil servants such as the cabinet secretary.
- Think tanks.
What is the ‘efficient secret’ of government in the UK?
The relationship between the prime minister and the cabinet.
What are the roles and powers of the prime minister?
- Chief policy maker and chief executive.
- Patronage - they have the power to appoint and dismiss all government ministers.
- Negotiate foreign treaties and trade agreements.
- Conduct foreign policy in general, representing the country internationally.
- Commander-in-chief and has control of military action (or at least once they have been committed).
- They head the cabinet system.
What is the role of the cabinet?
Approving policy and settling disputes within government.
What is the role of the treasury?
Managing the government’s finances.
What is the role of government departments?
Developing and implementing specialised policies.
What system of government does the UK use?
The cabinet system.
What is ‘cabinet government’?
When the main decision making of government takes place in cabinet.
What is cabinet sometimes described as and why?
A mere ‘rubber stamp’, because they do not formulate policy but do have to approve all legislative proposals coming from the prime minister for it to become official policy.
How many ministers does the cabinet consist of?
20-25
What must all cabinet members be a member of?
Either the House of Commons or House of Lords.
What member of the governing party is always invited to cabinet meetings?
The chief whip.
What civil servant is always present at cabinet meetings to take the minutes?
The cabinet secretary, the UK’s most senior civil servant and key advisor to both the cabinet and the prime minister personally.
Who is the current cabinet secretary?
Simon Case
When does the cabinet meet?
Every Thursday.
What happens to the proceedings of cabinet meetings?
They are secret and will not be revealed for at least 30 years.
Does the cabinet normally vote on issues?
No, the prime minister seeks a general consensus and then requires all members to agree to that decision. If a member wishes to dissent publicly they must resign.
Who sets the agenda of the cabinet meetings?
The prime minister.
What is the salary of cabinet members compared to junior ministers and MPs?
Cabinet minister receive an enhanced salary, emphasising their seniority.
Where does the cabinet originate from?
Nowhere in particular, it is an unwritten constitutional convention.
What did Nicholas Ridley say of Margaret Thatcher’s approach to the cabinet?
“not going to have faint hearts in the Cabinet stopping her.”
