Fact Test

Question 1

Executive

Answer 1

One of three branches of government which stands alongside the legislature and the judiciary. Executive executes the laws from the legislature, and makes them happen. Responsible for making policy decisions, taking actions + running country.

Question 2

Civil Service

Answer 2

Permanent officials who carry out day to day running of government departments. They advise ministers and enact policy decisions made by ministers; they don’t make the decisions themselves as they don’t answer to Parliament or the people. Therefore, they act neutrally.

Question 3

Junior Ministers

Answer 3

Members of executive who assist the senior minister in the running of policy decisions and government departments. They advise ministers and enact policy decisions made by ministers.

Question 4

Example of a Civil Servant Position being questioned:

Answer 4

Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill were employed as Joint Chiefs of Staff for the Prime Minister Theresa May in 2016. They were employed as civil servants, but took charge of organising the 2017 general election campaign for the Conservatives, even writing and making decisions over the manifesto, much to the anger of Conservative MPs. They were forced to resign as a result of the political failure of the 2017 election, something which civil servants normally wouldn’t take responsibility for.

Question 5

Executive role: Proposing Legislation

Answer 5

Develop legislative proposals for a first reading in Parliament, based on policy decisions of ministers and the expert advice of civil service.