Mr Stepney - Prime Minister & Cabinet Flashcards
What is the role of the prime minister
The cabinet manual, a government paper on the workings of the executive describes the prime minister as the ‘head of government’ but the precise role of of the pm is not set out in statue law
The key functions are generally accepted
Political leadership
National leadership
Appointing the government
Chairing the cabinet
Managing the executive
Prerogative powers
Managing relations with parliament
Representing the uk in international affairs
Patronage powers
The prime minister has special powers of patronage - the most significant is the power to appoint government ministers
Other patronage powers:
- Life peers - the pm can appoint people to the HOL as life peers - this enables the pms the party balance within the lords e.g. Blair increased labour representation in the lords
- The honours system - nominations are now considered by honours committees made up of civil servants and people independent of government the PM then approves this list
- appointing cabinet ministers -pm can create a cabinet in their own imagine, rewarding supporters and penalising disloyal MPs - in the 2010 coalition it required five Lib Dem’s to his cabinet
- cabinet reshuffle - however the power to dismiss cabinet ministers can backfire e.g. knight of long knives
Core functions of the executive - making policy decisions
The PM and cabinet set political priorities and determine the country’s overall policy decisions - can make day to day decisions on policy
Core functions of the executive - proposing legislation
They devise and initiate legislation most primary legislation e.g. bills - govt bills put into effect the policies proposed in the manifesto
Core functions of the executive - proposing a budget
Makes key decisions on economic policy and proposes budget - the chancellor sets out proposed levels of taxation and public spending in budget, following negotiations in cabinet and with govt departments
Core functions of the executive - first responder
In national emergency such as war, terrorist attacks or corona virus the executive is required quickly and efficiently to put together emergency measures to deal with the threat as best it can, and reassure the public and calm fears
what are the prerogative powers
Making and ratifying treaties
International diplomacy
Deployment of armed forces
Pms ability to dissolve parliament
Organisation of the civil service
Granting of pardons
Powers of secondary legislation
This is a form of legislation which allows an act of parliament to come into force or amended by ministers without requiring further act - this is more to do with the detailed rules and regulations e.g. when will a bill come into force. - 3500 issued each year they are scrutinised in committee, but most are not debated and it’s unusual for them to be rejected
What is cabinet
A committee of senior ministers which is the ultimate decision making authority
What are government departments
The main administration units of central government each dealing with a different policy area - staffed by civil servants
What is patronage
The power of an individual to appoint someone to an important position
How is the cabinet made up
22 senior ministers
Explain and analyses 3 prerogative powers
