Crib sheet 4: PM and Cabinet Flashcards
Who is the PM
He is the leader of government and normally lives at Number 10 Dowining Street. The PM and the ministers form the executive.
What are the PMs main duties
Appointing ministers
Charing Cabinet meetings
Appointing senior judges, church of england clergy, peerages and other honours
Declaring war
Recommending the dessolution of parliament for General Elections
Writing the Kings Speech outlining Bills to be introduced to Parliament
Attending weekly meeting with King
Attending PMQT each week to answer questions from MPs.
What is the Cabinet
Of the 100 MPs appointed ministers only 20 of the most senior members are in the PMs inner circle.
Those who head a department are known are Secretaries of State.
They are expected to adhere to the doctrine of collective responsibility- they publicly support government policy even if they personally dont agree
they also adhere by individual ministerial responsibility meaning they take responsibility for their departments and resign if a serious error occurs.
What is the Civil Service
Civil Servants are permanent employees of the government who are expdected to be politically neutral.
Politicians decide on policy and the CS implement it.
Advisers advice and ministers decide.
Each department is headed by a senior civil servant known as permanent secretary.
They dont change with government.
