PM And Cabinet Flashcards
Give an example of the cabinet playing an important role in decision making
2020, cabinet debated over whether or not to increase COVID restrictions
When did Margaret thatcher resign having lost the support of her cabinet
1990
What percentage of parliament voted they had no confidence in boris Johnson and when, how many key cabinet members resigned
2022, 41% , 2
Why did Boris Johnson resign in 2018 as foreign secretary
He didn’t agree with Theresa mays chequers agreement - collective ministerial responsibility
Who was the first pm, when was he in power
Robert Walpole, early 1700s
Give an example of pms not being able to always do what they want with the cabinet
Sunak returned home office position to suella braverman because the cabinet requires an ideological and political balance
how many people in the cabinet are women (as of December 2024)
11/22
Since the 1950, how has the frequency of cabinet meetings per year reduced
100 to 40
Since when has the prime ministers office included the no 10 policy unit
2002 - provide policy advice and support for pm and govt
What did the number of SPADs grow to under Blair
50
Cameron criticised Blair’s number of SPADs but by when had this number risen to what? How much did this cost?
2015, 107, £8 million per year
When was John majors put up or shut up speech
1995
Give an example of an event that affected an election
May and green fell tower fire
Give an example of when spin (managing the news) has led to credibility issues
Blair and Iraq
On average how many cabinet members are there?
22-27
Give two example of spin doctors
Alastair Campbell, Bernard Ingham
When was TV introduced into politics
1960 with Harold Wilson
Why was Theresa mays 2017 election so badly run?
- dementia tax, last min addition, no Cabot consultation, hits middle class, majority of voters
- strong stable govt, not true, spent campaign defending herself
- bad with media, didn’t turn up to leaders debate.
When did Theresa may use royal prerogative powers
2018 - sent fighter jets to carry out airstrikes on Syria
What does secondary legislation give the prime minister the power to do - give an example of this
Change law without needing a new bill
Boris in 2020 lockdown using 1984 public heath act and statutory instruments
- efficiency but potential democratic concerns
What is the ‘made negative’ procedure
Statutory instruments become law immediately unless opposed by parliament within 40 days
Examp,e of individual ministerial responsibility - why did amber rudd resign and when
2018 after she misled the home affairs select committee over departments targets for deporting illegal immigrants
In mays 2018 reshuffle, who was made education secretary
Damien hinds
How does cabinet deal with domestic emergencies? Give an example of this
COBR - after suspected Russian poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury
