Devolution Flashcards
Who is the cabinet?
An inner circle of around 20 or so ministers selected by the PM, including senior ministers and secretaries of state.
What is the role of the cabinet?
The role of the cabinet is to make general decisions on policy, make detailed decisions on politically sensitive matters, act as a forum to resolve disputes between ministers, oversee and co-ordinate government operations.
What is the difference between a cabinet and non cabinet member.
The government contains all appointed ministers appointed by the PM and they earn more than MPs, cabinet is for most senior members only and averages to around 20 people
What are civil servants
Civil servants are full time paid officials who are non political and serve all government. They run the administration and business of the governing of the country.
What are the main roles of the prime minister?
The prime minister is the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons and represents the government.
Appoints fellow ministers.
Appoints and dismisses member of the cabinet.
Chairs weekly cabinet meetings
Has their office comprising of civil servants and advisors.
Name further responsibilities of prime minister
The only prime minister granted a private audience with the monarch and to keep the sovereign informed about the Govs weekly activities
Can declare war
Writes the kings speech and annual announcements of proposed legislation.
What are the four principles who hold the PM to account?
The public, the press, parliament and the party.
Who are the ministers?
Ministers are chosen by the PM and are given a certain area to oversee and part of the governance.
What are ministers governed by?
Ministers are governed by collective responsibility, individual ministerial responsibility and the ministerial code.
All members of the government agree with the chosen policy even if they didn’t write it up.
If a minister does not agree with a policy, they should remain silent in public or resign.
A minister who resigns may remain an MP or a a a member of the house of lords but must resign from their ministerial post and salary.
What does individual ministerial responsibility mean?
It means that the minister is solely responsible for their department and if there is a major error, then the minister should resign even if it was a civil servants error without the ministers knowledge.
Who is an example of a minister who resigned?
Matt Hancock
What is the purpose of the ministerial code?
The ministerial code outlines 10 principles of how ministers should behave and what they could get discharged for from their duties
