Core Executive 2 Flashcards
Who is the prime minister and what are the requirements?
The head of government.
They must be a member of parliament and be leader of the largest party or the governing party in the commons
Majority government?
One party has an absolute majority of the seats in the commons
All ministers are the same party
Minority government?
No party has absolute majority but the largest forms a government
They have to secure support from other members on key measures
All ministers are the same party
Coalition government?
No party has absolute majority
Two or more parties agree to form a government and negotiate policy
Ministers are shared
What are the 7 roles if the PM?
Political leadership National leadership Appointing the government Chairing the cabinet Managing the executive Managing relations in parliament Representing the UK internationally
Who is the cabinet?
The committee of senior ministers that is the main decision-making body in government
What is a bilateral?
A meeting between the PM and a department minister where a policy would be agreed
What are the 6 powers of the prime minister?
Patronage Authority within cabinet Party leadership Public standing Policy making role The prime ministers office
What is patronage?
The power to appoint someone to an important position
What is an example of the PMs patronage powers?
The appointment of life peers: brown and head of the CBI however there is now an appointment committee
Also senior judges, used to have a lot more power but now is just given a name by JAC and The Lord chancellor
How did the cabinet agreement change the PM patronage?
Cameron was limited- agreed amount of cabinet seats to libdems- cannot dismiss without cleggs approval
What example of how the PMs power to appoint cabinet ministers are limited?
- sometime appointment of leadership competition.
- Brown said he wouldn’t stand as long as Blair appointed him chancellor if the exchequer
- Coalition agreement
What is a cabinet reshuffle?
A series of changes to the members of cabinet and the positions they occupy
What was the “night of the long knives”?
Harold Macmillan’s reshuffle in 1962 because he sacked 7 cabinet ministers
How are reshuffles used to the parties advantage?
They can chose the timing so it reflect on the party well- normally just before an election
They can change up unpopular ministers
What is the executive?
The branch of government responsible for policy making and implementation
Is consists of the prime minister and the cabinet
What are the powers of the PM in cabinet? 7
Chairs meetings Decides agenda and time spent Sums up discussions Appoints members Holds bilateral meetings Organises the structure of the government
How does the PM control agenda of cabinet meetings?
Decides what information is shared by choosing the topic
Keeps potentially difficult issues out if cabinet meeting and discuses them in bilateral meetings with ministers more involved
What can the executive use to control the legislative process?
The whip system and parliamentary timetable
What is an example of party rebellion which limits the party leadership of the PM?
Blairs decision on Iraq and tuition fees
The abandonment of the reform of the House of Lords after conservative rebellion which cause the lindem support for constituency changes to stop=tension!
What does public standing mean?
The opinion of the public on a prime minister- this has shown more prominence as media attention rises
Does a PMs public standing make a difference to their leadership?
Blair had high poll ratings in his first term with reforms but low after Iraq making him seem weaker and less re electable
What is the prime ministers office?
The group of senior civil servants and special advisers who provide assistance and support to the PM- mainly on communications within government and with the media
What was Blair like as a PM?
“Presidential” took little support from cabinet and instead had informal inner circle meetings “sofa government” this meant some thought he made deductions without full information (Iraq). He also extended the prime ministers office and gave huge amounts of powers to brown unusually
