Governmnet Ministers Flashcards
Approximately how many senior government members
What does this compose of
100
Cabinet ministers
Ministers of state
Parliamentary under-secretaries
Due to the volume of work in departments
What is there
Layers of ministers
- ministers
- junior ministers
- parliamentary private secretaries
What are civil servants
What do they do
They aid ministers
Organise diary, write letters, draft replies to parliamentary questions, offer advice and research issues
What are some of the roles of the minister
- politician with duties in cabinet and parliament
- normal MPs
- speak in HoC debates
- appear before select committees
- question time
- administrator of a large Whitehall department
What are some of the limitations on ministerial power
- They are outnumbered by senior officials (6/7 to 1)
- can lack objectives and priorities
- many demands on their power
- dependant on what their officials tell them or what data they are presented
What are the two main features of the convention which defines the relationship with ministers and their department
1) ministers are responsible to parliament for their policies of their department (must inform, explain and take responsibility)
2) implies that civil servants are responsible to ministers, they should be loyal and supportive of the minister
Describe the crichel down affair (1954)
Political scandal about a patch of land in Dorset
Inquiry over govt conduct was held and the report was damming
Led to them minister of agriculture resigning
Set a precedent on ministerial responsibility
Describe the welfare reforms
Secretary of state for work and pensions brought about large scale welfare reforms
He resigned in March 2016
Couldn’t accept the govts planned cuts to disability benefits
Name a minister who has resisted
Jacqui Smith
Give an example of a minister who resigned
Edwina Currie (salmonella in eggs)
Name a minister who resigned for personal reasons
Ron Davies
Evaluate IMR
It’s a grey area much depends on the ministers popularity with media n the party and the PM
Therefore IMR still exists however most ministers usually resign of personal reasons
What are the two roles of the civil servants
To provide ministers with policy advice
To implement government policy
What do the three principles for civil servants to abide by date back too
The northcote-Trevelyne reforms in the 19th C
What are the civil servants three core principles
Permanence
Neutrality
Anonymity
