Executive And PM Flashcards
What is POLITICAL EXECUTIVE?
- The _______ ___________ -> Head of _____________.
- ____________ -> Committee of _________ who head government departments which is the decision making body of government
- ____________ -> Manage specific portfolios in government (NB there are ministers outside Cabinet who assist those in it)
- The Prime Minister -> Head of Government
- Cabinet -> Committee of Ministers who head government departments which is the decision making body of government
- Cabinet -> Manage specific portfolios in government (NB there are ministers outside Cabinet who assist those in it)
What is ADMINISTRATIVE EXECUTIVE?
Government D_____________ staffed by C_____ _________ which oversee the daily administration of g__________. They are professional.
Government Departments staffed by Civil Servants which oversee the daily administration of government. They are professional.
What is Cabinet?
The committee of ministers who head government departments which is the decision making body of government.
What are the executive branch functions? Simply (2)
Making policy
Implementing policy
Executive branch functions: Making Policy
Making policy -> proposing legislation (eg. manifestos), proposing budgets
Executive branch functions: Implementing policy
Implementing policy -> executing laws, day-to-day administration (responsibility for policy making has been devolved, eg. Scottish Parliament)
What are the powers of the executive branch? Simply (3)
Control over the legislative agenda
Secondary legislation
Prerogative powers
Executive branch powers: Control over the legislative agenda
Only few Private members’ bills receive royal assent, but government bills are rarely defeated.
Eg. Control of the legislative timetable,
Parliament debates the budget (statement) and scrutinises the Finance Bill (authorises and enacts changes proposed in the budget)
Executive branch powers: Secondary legislation
Primary legislation (eg. Parliamentary Acts) sets out broad aims. It grants ministers/ the public bodies the power to make secondary legislation (eg. Statutory instruments) which fills in the details .
AN EXAMPLE OF…
Primary -> National Minimum Wage Act (1998) established a minimum wage for the first time.
Secondary -> National Minimum Wage Regulations (set/ adjust the level of the minimum wage)
Executive branch powers: Prerogative powers
Refers to the authority and power, recognised in common law, left in the hands of the Crown,
Includes the power to declare war and make treaties.
Today, by convention -> these prerogative powers are exercised by the PM, and other ministers, or on their advice.
What are 2 of 4 cabinet functions?
Registering decisions/ policy approval
Discussion/ making decisions
Reports on current issues
Resolve disputes
Strain on CCR:
Johnson’s article criticising May’s Brexit plan. He showed dissatisfaction with policy.
What are the two PARTS to Ministerial Responsibility?
Individual
Collective
Individual Ministerial Responsibility: 2 of 3 points
- Policy Failure
- Personal Misconduct
- Mistakes in Department
Individual MR policy failure example
Amber Rudd resigned over Windrush policy failure and misleading Parliament on targets
Individual MR personal misconduct example
Matt Hancock resigned after The Sun published CCTV footage of him ignoring his own covid guidelines
What did Priti Patel do? Individual MR personal misconduct
She resigned over her unofficial meetings with Israeli government ministers without telling cabinet, but came back in another government and refused to resign the second time following a bullying row.
Individual MR Mistakes in Department example
OFQUAL -> their algorithm was criticised so the original teacher-submitted grades were used.
Where is there flexibility with Individual Ministerial Responsibikity?
Ministers often work collectively, so they aren’t always fully responsible
Issues can be complex, so unfair to blame a single minister sometimes.
Some issues are more significant than others (media influences it)
Give 2 of 3 reasons why the PM’s powers are elastic:
- They are NOT clearly defined, as the UK has an uncodified constitution
- Circumstances (media support, party unity, size of parliamentary majority, external events and the force of their personality)
- How they are used by PMs
Name a formal power of the PM. Formal powers allow PMs to be pre-eminent (surpassing others/ distinguished) and all PMs enjoy this:
Patronage
Chairing cabinet
Foreign policy leader
Calling elections
Name an informal power of the PM. Informal powers allow PMs to be pre-dominant (exerting control or power.. present as the strongest) and extent varies:
Controlling Govt policy
Controlling legislative agenda
Economic leadership
National leadership in crisis
PMs have patronage, which means that…
…they have power to appoint ministers to govt positions, or dismiss them from their roles
What are limits of patronage? It’s not a totally free hand. Give 2 of 4 points
Ideological wings
Rivals kept close
Popularity and talent
Coalition -> Cameron had to appoint a set number of Lib Dems.
Likewise, the ability to “fire” to reshuffle cabinet must be used carefully… eg. Truss firing Kwarteng attracted negative media attention
PMs have the power of managing/ authority over the cabinet system. But when might this be a limitation?
A botched reshuffle may raise questions about the PM’s judgement, reveal cabinet divisions, and highlight policy failures.
Eg. Thatcher demoted foreign secretary in 1989, and his resignation a year later triggered Thatcher’s downfall.
The PM operates in a Parliamentary system, and they are the leader of the largest party which dominates parliament.
What is a limitation of this party leadership? Use example
Example: Liz Truss -> when the markets crashed, she was finished
What is party discipline?
Refers to the practice where members of a political party are expected to support their party’s policies and decisions
Policy making input is a PM’s power. What’s a limitation of this? Give the example
Blair focussed on removing WMD instead of the Iraq president, Saddam Hussein (a core objective of US policy), but no WMD were found.
So, trust for Blair went down according to opinion polls.
A PM power is public standing/ communicator in chiefs
The PM’s public profile is far greater than other cabinet members.
They can speak directly to the public over other cabinet members.
Why might this be a limitation? Give 1 of 2 points
- The media can be highly critic, so this power could work against the PM and make a problem a crisis. It also undermined their credibility.
- Depends on media performance -> not all PMs have projecting ability.
Give 3 of 5 PM powers
Patronage
Managing/ authority over cabinet system
Party leadership
Policy making input
Public standing/ communicator in chief
Name the 3 theories of executive power:
Cabinet Government
Prime Ministerial Government
“Presidentialism”
Define the theories of Executive power: CABINET GOVERNMENT
The “classic” view of how Cabinet should o_______.
1. Power is c________: policy decisions are taken by all cabinet members together
2. PM l_____ the Cabinet ONLY as “First amongst equals”
3. Must be discussion b_____ final decisions are taken in cabinet.
Define the theories of Executive power: CABINET GOVERNMENT
The “classic” view of how Cabinet should operate.
1. Power is collective: policy decisions are taken by all cabinet members together
2. PM leads the Cabinet ONLY as “First amongst equals”
3. Must be discussion before final decisions are taken in cabinet.
Define the theories of Executive power: Prime Ministerial Government
Theory of Richard Crossman in the 60s:
1. The PM is the d________ a_____ over the cabinet as they…
-> set policy direction
-> take the major decisions
-> intervenes where desired
2. Cabinet is a source of a______ and support to the PM but does not decide policy.
HOWEVER, Cabinet still has m____ weight than in a presidential system —
3. The PM STILL has to work through his cabinet, which can damage his credibility
Define the theories of Executive power: Prime Ministerial Government
Theory of Richard Crossman in the 60s:
1. The PM is the dominant actor over the cabinet as they…
-> set policy direction
-> take the major decisions
-> intervenes where desired
2. Cabinet is a source of advice and support to the PM but does not decide policy.
HOWEVER, Cabinet still has more weight than in a presidential system —
3. The PM STILL has to work through his cabinet, which can damage his credibility
Theories of executive power: “Presidentialism”
Theory of Michael Foley; a British PM is now almost a “de facto” president due to the p_____________ of politics.
1. P___________ leadership: a) The PM imposes their personal views creates an impression of a personal mandate.
2. Public O_________: The media spotlight on the PM - great advantage in terms of image projection. Note the recent Election Debates
3. S______ Leadership: A sense of “distance” has been created between the PM and ministers. The PM relies inner circle rather than Cabinet as a whole! Note Blair’s “sofa govt” and the QUAD of the coalition.
This does not claim that the PM is a President like the US rather now acts like one!
Theory of Michael Foley; a British PM is now almost a “de facto” president due to the personalisation of politics.
1. Personalised leadership: a) The PM imposes their personal views creates an impression of a personal mandate.
2. Public Outreach: The media spotlight on the PM - great advantage in terms of image projection. Note the recent Election Debates
3. Spatial Leadership: A sense of “distance” has been created between the PM and ministers. The PM relies inner circle rather than Cabinet as a whole! Note Blair’s “sofa govt” and the QUAD of the coalition.
This does not claim that the PM is a President like the US rather now acts like one!
Give 2 of 3 CCR exceptions:
- Temporary suspension during referendums (eg. EU 2016 Cameron)
- Coalition (eg. 2010 Coalition agreement identified four key issues for exceptions)
- Free Votes (eg. Assisted Dying)
Talk about the STRAIN on CCR, like an example
Johnson’s Telegraph article criticising May -> he showed dissatisfaction with the policy, he should have been sacked but wasn’t.
Why is Collective Cabinet Responsibility important? Give one
Makes them electable and credible
Allows full discussion/ secret discussion
Ensures government accountability
Give an example of CCR
Multiple ministers on May’s Brexit plan
What is a prime-ministerial government?
A system of govt in which the PM is the dominant influence in the executive.
The PM sets the direction of govt, makes major decisions and intervenes decisively in policy areas of their choosing.
The cabinet is able to advise and warn the PM but doesn’t decide policy.
Give 2 arguments FOR the UK having a prime ministerial government:
- Cabinet Government has been downgraded
- Growth of Institutions which empower the PM
- Personal leadership/ policies
Evidence of Presidentialism:
Public outreach
Spatial leadership
Give 2 arguments AGAINST the UK having a cabinet government:
The debate is flawed… power is shared.
- Core Executive theory -> leads but cannot always command
- PM has to work through Cabinet -> “Big Beasts” -> Coalition & Cooperation means formal discussion -> Resignations are damaging!
- PM is dependent Upon Party -> can be challenged
The PM has the advantage of institutional power. What is this?
The govt’s ability to control what people can/ can’t do… to exercise their will over individuals.
Cabinet government downgrading example?
Johnson was accused of downgrading cabinet govt…
He downgraded its role by concentrating decision-making power and reducing the involvement of cabinet ministers in significant policy discussions.
-> This approach led to concerns about the lack of collective decision-making and diminished the traditional cabinet’s influence in shaping government
When is a PM pre-eminent? Give an example of a pre-eminent PM.
When only they have four institutional power resources.
Major, Brown, Cameron, and May were pre-eminent.
When is a PM pre-dominant?
Give an example of a pre-dominant PM.
A PM is pre-dominant (the stronger/ main element in govt) if they combine effective use of institutional power resources with their own personal power resources.
Thatcher and Blair were pre-dominant PMs
Give an example of when institutional resources have grown:
Governmental institutions have often increased their budgets to better serve public needs, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is the difference between institutional resources and institutional power resources?
Institutional resources are the assets themselves.
Institutional power resources is about the control and influence over those assets.
Explain personalised leadership:
The PM is expected to be a dominant political personality who stamps their imprint on the government and imposes a personal vision.
Why is personal leadership evidence of a Prime ministerial government?
The introduction of televised leaders’ debates in 2010 reinforced this focus on party leaders.
Cabinet Govt is downgraded
Cabinet is no longer a decision making forum, most of the time only rubber stamping decisions taken ___________.
A) Cabinet committees- most decision making occurs here… govt growth has necessitated a streamlining of decision making
B) Informal “inner” govt- “Kitchen Cabinet’s” have existed previously but are now more serious.
-> Blair’s sofa govt devalued Cabinet and increased his control.
-> Cameron promised to reverse this situation but still relied heavily on the Quad.
CONTRAST = this degree of this factor is less so when the PM is weaker… Blair vs Cameron / Major vs Thatcher
elsewhere
Institutional resources available to the PM have increased.
PM has resources which are simply not available to the same e______ to other cabinet members - unless the PM wants them to be!
Institutions
-> Blair expanded the PM’s office
-> Cameron introduced the policy implementation unit reporting jointly to the PM and Deputy PM
Use of special advisors (Spads)
-> Blair had over 50
-> Johnson’s worked with advisor Dominic Cummings - even losing a Chancellor over it!
extent
“Presidentialism” -> Personal leadership: policies of the “Activist PM”
PMs are increasingly able to impose their personal direction on which policies are central. Although traditionally PMs get involved in foreign policy and the economy this has become increasingly marked in r______ years.
-> Truss pushed for radical tax cuts
-> BJ was notably behind Ukraine
-> Cameron was behind the push for Gay marriage
-> Blair was responsible for committing the UK to the Iraq war
Personalised election campaigns -> a govt’s popularity is usually a reflection of the PM’s popularity. The party leader debates of 2010 set a precedent in UK politics in a style more akin to US-style politics.
Personal mandate -> PMs tend to claim popular authority on their electoral success!
recent
Public Outreach
Political leaders have become public commodities. The media s________ falls on the PM more than any other minister. The PM is expected to connect with the popular mood. They claim to represent the public interest and take their message directly to the public through the popular media (eg. Chat shows). BJ held regular televised briefings during the COVID pandemic.
Contrast Truss and May’s (maybe Starmer’s) lack of charisma and confidence compared to Blair (eg. Diana speech) or Cameron’s polished performances!
spotlight
The growth of “spatial leadership”
A sense of distance has been created between the PM and their govt and party. The PM relies more on their own inner c_____ of advisors than on the cabinet system, as in Blair’s “sofa government” and the ‘Quad’ (Cameron, Clegg, Osbourne, Alexander) in the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition govt. Blair and Cameron presented themselves as outliers in their own party.
circle
What is a sofa government?
A type of informal decision making within government.
A way of governing a country in which a leader often takes advice from an unofficial group of people who are close to them.
What is the core executive theory?
The debate of whether the UK has prime ministerial or cabinet government is flawed… No PM has a total monopoly of power.
They may be the most powerful individual player BUT power is shared between them and the wider “Core executive”
-> Power is not static but fluid has many players in shifting alliances.
-> Even if a PM is usually the most powerful, they are one player amongst many.
What is the 2 points of evidence AGAINST a Prime Ministerial government?
Core Executive theory -> debate is flawed, as no PM has a total monopoly of power… they may be the most powerful individual but power is shared between them and the wider core executive.
The PM has to work through the cabinet -> even if the PM is usually dominant, it still informally constrains the PM.
The PM has to work through the cabinet:
Even if the PM is usually dominant, it still i________ constrains the PM.
- The PM cannot ignore heavyweight “Big Beasts”.
-> Blair had a “toxic image” compromising over economic policy with Brown.
-> May had to deal with Brexiteers BJ and Liam Fox.
-> Sunak had to appease the “5 families” right-wing factions wanting the Rwanda Policy. - Coalition/ Cooperation necessitated discussion… with two parties, government is more formal.
-> “To Coalitionise”: All Cameron’s policy had to be checked against the Coalition Agreement.
-> The DUP demanded concessions - Resignations
Heavy handedness and committee abuse can lead to resignations which undermine credibility. This can lead to a loss of public support… and in turn to party support.
-> May was damaged by resignations of ERG members over her Chequers plan.
-> Truss was damaged by the resignations of (something idk)
-> BJ had 60 members resign before he did.. including most senior members of his Cabinet.
informally
A PM can only act presidentially if has success and is popular.
The very factors which allow them to project themselves a_____ the cabinet and personalise politics are a “double edged sword” and thus risky!
When a PM experiences policy failure it becomes their personal failure and the weight falls on them!
-> Blair after Iraq
-> BJ lost trust of the public
-> Truss lost faith after the markets collapsed
above
Other points on the page
The PM is dependent on their party.
The PM takes their position only as leader of the l_______ party.
Parliament can bring down the PM and give in a vote of no confidence as in 1979. Although extremely unlikely, a PM can never be a president as this can’t happen in presidential systems.
largest
What are 3 evidence for Presidentialism?
Personalised leadership -> the PM imposes their personal views creates an impression of a personal mandate
Public outreach -> the media spotlight on the PM: great advantage in terms of media projection. Recent election debates should be noted
Spatial leadership -> a sense of distance has been created between the PM and ministers. The PM relies inner circle rather than cabinet as a whole, note Blair’s sofa govt and the quad of the coalition.
This doesn’t claim that the PM is a president like the US but rather now acts like one!
