Comp2- T7- The Prime Minister and the Executive

Question 1

What are the roles of the Executive?

Answer 1

Develop government policy
Conduct foreign policy, including relations with other states and international bodies
Organising the defence of the country from external and internal threats
Managing the finances of the state
Responding to major problems or crises such as armed conflict, security threats economic difficulties or social disorder
Controlling and managing the forces of law and order, including the police, courts, armed forces and intelligence services
Drafting and securing the passage of legislation
Organising the implementation of legislation
Organising and managing the services provided by the state

Question 2

What is the structure of the executive?

Answer 2

The PM and his/her close advisors (not elected instead of a team they trust)

The Cabinet- 20-25 senior ministers appointed by the PM

Various bodies feed information and advice into the Cabinet and the PM. Government Departments-the Treasury holds a special place of importance as it controls government finances

The senior Civil Servants who serve government ministers- of these the cabinet secretary is the most senior. The holder of this post serves both the PM personally and the Cabinet collectively

Various advisors and policy-developing bodies (Think Tanks) that serve government departments

Question 3

What is the Latin phrase for The Prime Minister’s Royal Prerogative?

Answer 3

Primus inter pares

Question 4

How were arbitrary powers gained by the PM?

Answer 4

The arbitrary powers were formerly enjoyed by the monarch, but gradually transferred to the government and then to the PM during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Question 5

What are the PM powers today?

Answer 5

Appoint or dismiss all government ministers, whether in or out of the cabinet. Also, has a say in other public appointments eg. the most senior civil servants.

Negotiate foreign treaties, including trade agreements with other states/ international organisations.

The commander-in-chief of the armed forces can commit them to action. However, this power has come under challenge in recent times. Now accepted that the PM should only make major military commitments ‘on the advice and with the sanction of Parliament. Once armed forces have been committed to action, the PM has general control of their actions.

Conducts foreign policy and determines relationships within foreign powers. The PM represents the country internationally.

Heads the cabinet system-chooses its members, sets its agenda, determines what cabinet committees should exist and who should sit on them.

Generally sets the general tone of economic policy.
Usually done alongside the Chancellor of the Exchequer, normally a very close colleague.

Question 6

What is the Cabinet?

Answer 6

The centre of power in the UK political system

The UK system of government used to be described as a ‘Cabinet Government’ – where the main decision-making of government takes place.

Not to say that it is where all important decisions are made. This means that all official government decisions and policies must be cleared by the Cabinet if they are to be considered legitimate.

Policies and decisions must be approved by the Cabinet if they are to be considered official policy.

Often, the Cabinet is described as a mere ‘rubber stamp’.

Question 7

What is the nature of the Cabinet?

Answer 7

The PM personally appoints and dismisses Cabinet members – he/she is not required to consult anyone else when making appointments or dismissals.

Consists of between 20-25 government ministers.

Most members are senior ministers in charge of a large Government Department.

A few may not have a specific ministerial responsibility but are considered important enough to the party to sit at the centre of power.

All Cabinet ministers must be a member of the Commons (and therefore an MP) or the Lords (as a peer). In practice, most are MPs.

One Civil Servant always attends Cabinet meetings to record what is agreed – this is the Cabinet Secretary.

They are a key adviser to the Cabinet and to the PM personally.

Question 8

How often does the Cabinet meet?

Answer 8

Normally meets once a week, usually, a Thursday, and rarely lasts more than 2 hours.

Question 9

What are Emergency Cabinet meetings called for?

Answer 9

Urgent issues that have arisen

Cobra meetings- terrorist attacks.

Question 10

How chairs the meetings of the cabinet?

Answer 10

The PM chairs the meetings unless abroad or unwell- their deputy may take over though when this occurs the Cabinet may not meet at all.

Question 11

How long are the discussions kept secret?

What about the decisions made?

Answer 11

The proceedings are secret and will not be revealed for at least 30 years.

Cabinet decisions are released to a strictly limited number of civil servants and ministers. Media releases will also be sent out, but with no details of the discussions.

Question 12

What happens if a Cabinet minister talks out publicly?

Answer 12

Any member who wishes to disagree publicly will normally be required to resign and leave the Cabinet.

Question 13

What is the role of the Cabinet?

Answer 13

The role of the Cabinet is changeable and unclear
Similar to the role of the PM, its existence is merely an unwritten constitutional convention
To some extent what it does varies from one PM to another
It may also depend on the political circumstances

Question 14

PM’s position in the Cabinet

Answer 14

The PM, with the help of advisers, will develop proposals of their own

It is extremely rare for a Cabinet to question seriously PM initiative

Question 15

Role of the Cabinet Committees

Answer 15

The most detailed policy is worked out in small committees of Cabinet members and other junior ministers

Most of these Cabinet Committees are chaired by the PM or a very senior minister such as the Chancellor

The committee present their proposals to the full Cabinet and are usually accepted

Question 16

Role of the Chancellor of the Exchequer

Answer 16

Almost always supported by the PM, economic and financial policy is presented to the Cabinet by the Chancellor
The Annual Autumn Statement (November) and the Budget (March) are usually only revealed to the Cabinet the evening before their presentation in Parliament

Question 17

Role of Individual Ministers

Answer 17

Policies involving a government department specifically, but will require wider approval, are presented to Cabinet by the relevant minister, aide by their civil servants
It is here where disagreements are most likely- though if a minister is backed by the PM, they are in a good position to secure approval

Question 18

Role of Groups of Ministers

Answer 18

Policies are often developed by various advisers, policy units, and think tanks
These may be adopted by various ministers who then bring the ideas to Cabinet, usually after securing the approval of the PM and Chancellor
If other ministers have problems with such proposals, they are usually voiced well in advance

Question 19

What are the functions of government?

Answer 19

Develop policy, guided by the policies of the ruling party and its leaders.

Draft legislation needed to implement policy. Includes major primary legislation and more detailed secondary legislation which sets out specific regulations and principles governing the operations of the state.

Manage the passage of legislation.

Negotiate with and regulate relations with external organisations and states.

Manage the operations of the state, including education, health, the welfare state, armed forces, the law enforcement establishment etc.

Question 20

Define political

Answer 20

Concerns about the development of policy.
Although advice from unelected advisers may be taken, the final decisions are made by ministers as they alone are publicly accountable.

Question 21

Define administrative

Answer 21

Includes the implementation of policy and organisation of the state, which can be undertaken by unelected officials. Even so, ministers remain accountable for the quality of administration.

Question 22

What is collective responsibility?

Answer 22

Ministers are collectively responsible for all government policies.

All ministers must publicly support all government policies, even if they disagree privately with them.

If a minister wishes to dissent publicly from government policy, they are expected to resign first.

If a minister dissents without resigning, they can expect to be dismissed by the PM.

As Cabinet meetings are secret, any dissent within the government is hidden.

Question 23

Why is collective responsibility important?

Answer 23

The principle is a great support to the Prime Ministerial power.

A PM’s authority is enhanced as they will not experience open dissent from within the government.

Important that the government presents a united front to the outside world, including Parliament and the media.

The government know they can rely upon the votes of all ministers in any close division in the Commons – this is known as the payroll vote

Reduces the possibility of open dissent.

Question 24

What do critics say about collective responsibility?

Answer 24

Critics say that it ‘gags’ ministers and prevents them from expressing their own opinions.

Question 25

What do supporters of collective responsibility say?

Answer 25

The secrecy of the system means that ministers can express their views honestly within Cabinet, knowing that their disagreement is unlikely to be public

Question 26

What are the positives of collective responsibility?

Answer 26

Creates a government that is united, strong and decisive.

The public, Parliament and the media are presented with a clear, single vision of government policy.

Though ministers cannot dissent publicly, the confidentiality of the Cabinet means that ministers can engage in frank discussions in private

Question 27

What are the negatives of collective responsibility?

Answer 27

Some argue it puts too much power into the hands of the PM.

Ministers cannot be openly honest about their view on policies- may stifle debate within government

Resignations are dramatic events that may seriously undermine the government

Question 28

The nature of individual responsibility

Answer 28

Ministers must be prepared to be accountable to Parliament for the policies and decisions made by their department- means answering questions in the House, facing interrogation by Select Committees and justifying their actions in debate.

If a minister makes a serious error of judgement, they should be required to resign.

If a serious error is made by the minister’s department, whether or not the minister was involved in the cause of the error, the minister is honour-bound to resign.

If the conduct of a minister falls below the standards required of someone in public office, they should leave office and may face dismissal by the PM.

Question 29

What is the 1st principle of individual responsibility?

Answer 29

Ministers must offer themselves to be accountable to Parliament – certainly operate successfully and is a key principle of the UK Government.

Question 30

What has happened to the 2nd and 3rd principles?

Answer 30

Largely fallen into disuse.

Question 31

Erosion of ministerial responsibility

Answer 31

No specific way in which Parliament can remove an individual minister.

Parliament and its Select Committees can criticise a minister and call for their resignation, but whether or not they go is entirely up to the PM.

Question 32

What has happened to the 4th principle?

Answer 32

Personal conduct – has not been eroded.

Question 33

What is The Opposition?

Answer 33

The largest party in the HOC that is not the government

Question 34

What is Opposition?

Answer 34

The parties, MPs and Peers who are not members of the governing party

Question 35

Parliamentary Questions

Answer 35

Government ministers face questions from MP’s on the floor of the House

The Parliamentary timetable includes question time sessions for ministers from each government department

The most high profile event is Prime Minister’s Question Time- each Wednesday at noon for half an hour

Provides an opportunity for the leader of the opposition, the leader of the 3rd largest party and backbenchers to question the Prime Minister

Many government backbenchers ask questions raised by the whips

The leaders of the opposition may try to shape an agenda or highlight policy failure

The Speaker of the House has sought, with limited success, to reduce noise levels in the chamber

Overall, PMQs provides parliamentary theatre rather than effective scrutiny

Question 36

Two different types of questioning

Answer 36

Oral questions make up an important part of business in the HOC

Most parliamentary questions take the form of written questions to ministers requesting information on issues of public policy

Question 37

What are the 2 tasks the Opposition are meant to do?

Answer 37

Should oppose many of the government’s legislative proposals and harry the government by tabling amendments and forcing votes

Appear as an alternative ‘government-in-waiting’. It will need to develop its own policies and may support government measures that it agrees with

Question 38

Special privileges for the Leader of the Opposition

Answer 38

An additional salary

The right to respond first to the PM on major statements

The right to ask 6 questions at PMQs

The only MP permitted to respond to the PM with further questions

He/She appoints a show cabinet to follow the work of government departments

Question 39

How are the government-funded compared to the opposition?

Answer 39

The government enjoys significant institutional advantages in parliament

It can draw upon the expertise of the civil service

The opposition relies on limited state funding known as ‘Short Money’

Question 40

What is Short money?

Answer 40

Introduced in 1975, this is available to opposition parties that secured a seat and over 150,000 votes at the last general election

The funding is used to assist parties in carrying out their parliamentary business and cover travel expenses

Question 41

Opposition circumstances

Answer 41

A party that has just lost a general election cannot convincingly claim a mandate for its policies

It may also be divided

Question 42

Opposition opportunities

Answer 42

Limited opportunities to set the agenda in parliament

Opposition parties are permitted to choose the topic for debate on 20 days in the parliamentary year- these are called Opposition Days

17/20 days are allocated to the official opposition, the other 3 to other parties

This gives them an opportunity to advance their agenda or expose government failings

Question 43

How should the effectiveness of the UK Parliament be measured?

Answer 43

Holds government to account properly
Provides democratic legitimacy for government initiatives.
Scrutinises legislation thoroughly and seeks to improve it.
Prevents the government from exercising power beyond its electoral mandate.
Effective vehicle for the representation of constituencies.
Represents the interests of various sections of society.
Represents the national interests.
Acts as a recruiting ground for potential ministers.

Question 44

Minority Government

Answer 44

Must consider the situation we are in after the 2017 election when a government was elected with no parliamentary majority.

The last time such a minority government existed was in the 1970s.

An agreement with the Northern Irish DUP in June 2017 guaranteed a small government majority on votes of no confidence.

This means the small party (DUP) suddenly has a lot of power.

The government must build support for every measure, both with its own party and among opposition parties
The government must fight for every vote in the House.

Question 45

How well are different regions and localities of the UK represented?

Answer 45

The representation of constituencies is strong.
Every constituency (650) has its own MP whose duty is to represent the interests of the locality – irrespective of which party the MP belongs to.
MPs also have a regional outlook – they see themselves as representing a specific part of the country such as - depressed industrial areas, rural farming regions or places of special natural beauty.
Strength of Parliament

Question 46

How well are various sections of society represented?

Answer 46

In the Lords, the representation of interests is given great importance.
When scrutinising legislative proposals, the Lords can take into account the interests of groups such as – the professions, industrial and business groups, groups of workers in an industry, welfare recipients of various kinds, the elderly or the young, members of the public services such as the police or the armed forces, as well as refugees or asylum seekers.
In the Commons the power of the party whips often holds sway.
Strength of Parliament