Component 2 - Executive And The PM Flashcards
Define Executive:
Is another word for government and the members of the executive sit within the legislature (parliament) and can be held accountable to it
How can the executive govern the nation?
- Introduce proposals for new legislation into parliament based on the manifestos fought in the election
- Introduces new legislation based in response to changing circumstances. Known as the ‘doctors mandate’
- Chancellor presents the budget and taxation in Parliament – usually in the autumn
- Introduces secondary or delegated legislation
Power of the PM
- Can exercise the royal prerogative. These powers are derived form the monarch.
- Decides whether to activate Trident
- Direct military forces in combat
- Recommends most appointments to the Lords
- Delegates membership of the government, handling cabinet and cabinet committees
- Make appointments to the civil service and judiciary
- Negotiates foreign treaties
- Can also cast the narrative of their government (Boris Johnsons’s ‘get Brexit done’)
Core executives
comprises of ministers, civil servants and political advisers who the PM can confide in when creating policy. Part of the government that implements policy.
Civil service
defined by impartiality, anonymity, and permanence. Therefore, they are not held accountable for the actions of the departments since their focus has been determined by elected politicians.
Senior Civil servants
run the administration of departments of state and implement Government policies. Most important is the Chief secretary to the cabinet who provide impartial guidance to the PM as well as taking minutes in cabinet meetings.
Secondary legislation
delegated legislation, made outside Parliament with permission, where primary legislation can be amended without an Act of Parliament.
Royal Prerogative
powers derived form the monarch (military action)
Cabinet Minister
lead a department, attend cabinet
Governement Departments
their function is to manage that particular area of government and to develop and influence policy
Cabinet Government
power is spread, cabinet plays key roles in policy making
Prime-ministerial Governemnt
PM dominates government cabinet has secondary role
Define the ‘doctor’s mandate’?
Introducing legislation into parliament in response to changing circumstances
List the sources of prime ministerial power?
- Power derived from being asked by the Monarch to form a government on his behalf
- Prime minister is likely to be the leader of the largest party in the House of Commons
-Convention for the PM to be a MP
List 3 royal prerogatives powers exercised by the PM?
- Determines the membership of Government
- Negotiates foreign treaties
- Directs military forces in combat
What is the role of the civil service in Government?
Defined by the principle of neutrality, anonymity and permanence meaning the should provide impartial advice. But they are not held accountable for action of departments.
What is the role of Politcal advisers in Government?
Special advisers are political appointees hired to support ministers. They give party political advice and support that would be inappropriate for the civil service to provide.
Define individual ministerial responsibility?
The principle that members of the cabinet take ultimate responsibility for what occurs within their department, including administrative and policy failures. They are also individually responsible to the prime minster for their personal conduct.
What is administrative failure?
Where a administrative mishap (like wrong dates) causes major issues
Examples of ministers resigning over ministerial failure?
- 1954, Sir Thomas Dugdale resigned as minister of Agriculture over the Crichel Down affair where they failed to return land to the rightful owners after it was purchased to be a bobbin g range. He accepted full responsibility even though it wasn’t fully his fault
What is policy failure?
- a situation where a policy does not achieve its intended goals, often due to hidden agendas or reluctance to declare fundamental objectives by politicians and officials.
Examples of ministers resigning over policy failure?
- 1982 Lord Carrington resigned as foreign secretary after the immediate aftermath of Argentinas invasion of the Falklands. He claimed the Foreign office should have been more aware of Argentina’s intentions
How can scandal cause a minster to resign?
- A minister can be held accountable for their personal conduct and if this brings the government into dispute then they are expected to take responsibility for their actions and possibly resign
Examples of ministers resigning over policy failure?
- Matt Hancock, health secretary, in 2021 was caught kissing fellow college despite Covid distancing regulations
Collective ministerial responsibility:
- Responsibility to keep cabinet discussions a secret to maintain integrity of the government
- Must support agreed policy’s publicly even if they disagree privately to maintain unity
- If a Minsiter cannot agree publicly they have no choice but to resign
Example of resignation from collective ministerial responsibility?
- Boris Johnson, foreign secretary, 2018 resigned when he could no longer support Theresa May’s Chequers Agreement as the basis of the EU withdrawal agreement
Dismissal of collective responsibility?
- Rare occasions mean the PM will acknowledge it’s impossible to maintain collective responsibility in the circumstances. This would allow minsters to disagree publically with each other.
Example: 2024, the assisted dying bill
