chapter 7 Flashcards
Executive Structure: Who is in the core executive? What is the difference between this and the executive?
-The core executive is made up of Civil Servants, Junior Ministers, the Chief Secretary to the Cabinet, and Political Advisers.
-This group is made up of those who the PM freely confides in when developing policy.
Executive Structure: What is the executive? What is comprised of? Roughly how many people are in the executive?
-The executive is one of the three branches of government, whose role is to execute the legislation introduced by the legislature. They are responsible for making policy decisions, taking actions and running the country.
-Some key elements of the executive include: the PM, Cabinet, Junior Ministers, Civil Service.
-Normally made up of around 120 MPs and peers.
Executive Structure: What is the Civil Service? Are they MPs? How can Special Advisers be held accountable?
-They are responsible for making the ideas and policies of the executive a reality.
-They are not intended to serve any political purpose, but Special Advisers have increasingly taken the role of giving political advice to ministers.
-If they are seen to be shaping or directing policy, their position can be questioned. This happened in 2017 when Fiona Hall and Nick Timothy (civil servants) wrote & made decisions over the conservative manifesto. The pair were forced to resign due to the failure of the election.
Executive Structure: What are the powers of the executive?
-Introduces proposals for new legislation based on their manifesto.
-Introduces legislation into Parliament in response to changing circumstances.
-Creates the budget.
-Can introduce secondary or delegated legislation, like with the Misuse of Drugs Act.
PM’s Powers: What are the sources of the PM’s power?
-Tradition Authority derives from the fact that they have been asked by the King to form a government in his name, and grants the PM prerogative powers. These powers, effectively, make the PM the Head of State.
-Party & Parliamentary authority refers to the fact that they are they are the leaders of their parties, and are able to command the support the majority of Parliament.
-The People also provide a source of power, as they have been elected by the people.
PM’s Powers: Does the PM have to be a Member of Parliament? Do they have to be Leader of their Party?
-Conventionally, it the PM must be a member of Parliament, as was clear in 1963 when Macmillan resigned, and Lord Home renounced his peerage (and won a by-election) in order to become leader of the party.
-While most PMs have been leaders (and it is inconceivable that this would happen nowadays), Churchill was asked to form a government in 1940 as George VI felt that he was the only one capable of leading the wartime gov.
PM’s Powers: What powers does the PM have? Label whether they are Royal Prerogative or Temporary.
-They are Commander-in-Chief of the army. (RP)
-They control foreign policy. (RP)
-Can give out patronage (RP)
-They choose the members of cabinet (RP)
-Can recall/close Parliament early, for elections. (RP)
-Sets Gov policy (T)
-Sets legislative agenda (T)
-Economic leadership (T)
-Media Focus (T)
-National Leadership in Crises (T)
PM’s Powers: How have the powers of the PM changed?
-Prior to the 21st C., it was accepted that the PM had ultimate authority over the UK armed forces.
-This changed in 2013, when Cameron stated his desire to intervene in Syria with UK air power, and sought the approval of Parliament.
-Commons voted against any action being taken, and Cameron respected this decision, suggesting that power now lies with Parliament.
Cabinet: Who makes up Cabinet?
-The PM, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Home Sec, and the Foreign Sec are the four most prominent members of the Cabinet.
-The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and other Senior Ministers also make up the Cabinet.
-There are also some people who attend Cabinet, but are not full members, like the Chief Whip & the Attorney General.
Cabinet: How does Cabinet work?
-All government decisions and policies must be cleared by the Cabinet if they are to be considered legitimate.
-Cabinet approval may be brief, and require little debate, but the approval is still necessary for legislation to be formalised.
-It is often referred to as a ‘Rubber Stamp’, simply confirming decisions that have already been made
Cabinet: What is the PM’s role within Cabinet? What types of people might the PM appoint to Cabinet?
-They set the agenda, chair, and sum up the meeting. They then approve the cabinet secretary’s minutes.
-People with similar party ideas, or those who are experts in a certain area; Popular MPs (in the country/Parliament); People who are already powerful; Modernisers & those who socially represent the country; PM’s Rivals.
Cabinet: Why does the role of Cabinet change?
-The role of cabinet is entirely dependent on their relationship with the PM and their reliance on cab.
-In times of emergency or crisis, too, the role of cabinet increases, as the PM may revert to their collective wisdom in order to make decisions (even Blair & Thatcher informed cabinet of their intention before their respective wars).
Cabinet: Where do the decisions that are presented to cabinet originate, typically?
-The Prime Minister, along with advisers, ministerial allies, and senior civil servants, (known as the ‘Downing Street Machine’) develop lots of proposals.
-Cabinet Committees
-Chancellor of the Exchequer
-Individual/Groups of Ministers
Cabinet: What are the powers of the UK Cabinet?
-Legitimising government policy.
-Setting the legislative agenda.
-Supporting the PM.
-Deciding on government policy.
