PM AND CABINET Flashcards
- Explain and analyse three key roles of the core executive. p67-68
P – Making policy and passing legislation.
E- Executive must set political priorities and then decide upon policy at cabinet meetings. These are then sent to parliament for debate. Usually in a majority government this is simple but as seem with Brexit it can be more protracted.
P – Financing
E – A key role of the executive, especially the Chancellor and The Treasury is to make decisions on government spending and taxation and these are usually announced in an annual budget. Cabinet can be the forum where arbitration takes place, overseen by the Prime Minister.
P – Being the first national responder
E – In times of national emergency such as a pandemic or a war, the executive is required to put emergency measures together as quickly as possible and reassure the public. Many of these require swift and crucial co-operation between departments.
- Explain and analyse three prerogative powers of the prime minister. (textbook) p68-69 and your notes
P – Patronage
E – Appoints life peers in order to alter the party balance in the Lords.
A – Not significant as in 2007, the police inquiry into “cash for honours” concluded that Labour party rewarded donors with titles and now the PM must simply approve a list of names suggested by the honours committee.
P – Authority within Cabinet
E – Chairs cabinet meeting, makes agenda, determines length and discussion. Tony Blair only held on average 45 minute cabinet meetings to limit the input of minster. Also create cabinet committees, appoints senior civil servants and holds bilateral meetings with ministers.
P – Policy making input
E – Able to get involved in any issue and thus has a wider involvement and decides a general direction. They are important in times of crisis. This also forces accountability as poor policies can undermine a Prime Minister’s authority.
- Explain and analyse three ways in which the prerogative powers of the executive can be constrained. p68-69 and your notes
P – Policy making input can undermine a Prime Ministers authority.
E – Poor decisions on policies can lead to resignation. For example, Theresa May and the poll tax. People disliked the policy because a high percentage of the income of the poor being taken in comparison to the rich. Thatcher resigned after failing to win a vote of no confidence in 1990.
P – Patronage is not solely decided by the prime Minister.
E – An independent Appointments Committee also makes recommendations for the Lords. In 2007, the police inquiry into “cash for honours” concluded that Labour party rewarded donors with titles and now the PM must simply approve a list of names suggested by the honours committee.
P – Although the Prime minister can get involved in any issue, he still needs the backing of senior ministers on key issues.
E – Brown essentially made it impossible for Blair to introduce the Euro by making sure the treasury had a veto. Thatcher’s Chancellor and Foreign Secretary forced her to back down on her refusal to consider if Britain should join the EUs exchange rate mechanism.
- Explain and analyse three ways in which the office of the prime minister has become more presidential. p70-73 and your notes
P – Sofa Government
E – Preferring informal chats involving two or three minsters to full-length Cabinet meetings. Tony Blair. He often held his Cabinet meetings from 30-45 minutes in order to limit the input of ministers. Former NI Secretary under Blair commented that “Cabinet itself is dead”.
P – Reliance on special advisors
E – Are political and personal appointments made by PMs. Often said to hold too much power at the extent of fellow ministers and the civil service. Dominic Cummings criticised for holding too much power over the Prime minister.
A – Increasing importance. 99 under Theresa May. In March 2023 there were there were 117.
P – “Spacial leadership”
E – 2010-15 Coalition - Real power was concentrated In the Quad (Cameron, Clegg, Osborne and Alexander. This created a sense of distance between the PM and the rest of their party and instead focuses on their group of confidents, the inner cabinet, diminishing the role of Cabinet meetings.
- Explain and analyse three ways in which the office of the prime minister has not become more presidential. p70-73 and your notes
P – Weak and non-existent parliamentary majorities limit the powers of the PM
E – Theresa May reliant on DUP to pass policies. Suffered crushing defeats over her proposed Brexit Deal. Position as party leader weakened and party divided. She was then effectively forced out of office.
P – Office can effectively force out Prime Ministers
E – After the unpopular poll tax which Thatcher passed despite concerns from ministers, she failed a vote of no confidence and resigned in 1990.
P – Influence of SpAds is somewhat exaggerated
E – During the COVID19 pandemic whilst the government was devising it’s response, the most important advice came from medical experts such as the chief medical officer
- Explain and analyse three factors that influence policy making. p74-77 and your notes (use historical and more recent cases and the study tip mnemonic PPPES – personal, political, popular, external and social)
P – Reflecting social change and cultural attitudes
E – Can choose to embrace, ignore or deny change. Harold Wilson in 1964-70 relflected the changes in social outlook to legal changes. For example they ended the death penalty and decriminalised male homosexuality.
P – Pressure from smaller parties and pressure groups
E - Green Party – pressure on gov and a higher awareness of environmental issues. Forcing other parties to change their agenda. Pressure groups such as Extinction rebellion and Greenpeace have both highlighted the ecological effects of climate change and added a greater sense of urgency. In 2019 the gov pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 0 by 2050
P – Response to crisis and emergency situations
E – COVID- 19 pandemic. When the full-scale of the pandemic became clear, policy became far more extensive to try and protect the economy and undertake a huge mobilisation of health resources. Eg, creation of temporary hospitals, social distancing and the closing down of leisure centres and restaurants ect. The Coronavirus Act 2020allowed penalties o be given for those who broke new restrictions. Furlow Scheme by Rishi Sunak to slow job loss.
- Explain and analyse three occasions when the prime minister and cabinet have been able to dictate events and policy decisions. p77-82 and your notes
P – The introduction of the poll tax by Thatcher in 1990
E –The policy was introduced in Scotland and was very unpopular but was still extended to the rest of great Britain. Major riots broke out and the tax was easily parodied in parts of the media. She was solely accountable for the policy – there was no “political cover”. A normally loyal backbencher Howell sought to raise the issue on behalf of 2 constituents. Her advisor suggested this will be granted but “This meeting will be a waste of time.” Power to push through policy regardless.
P – The Invasion of Iraq in 2003 by Tony Blair
E – The UK was almost alone among EU an NATO states in joining the USA in war. There was no pressure among the Cabinet or party for troops to be mobilised. Blair wanted to cement strong relationship with Bush. “Sofa government” meant that there was little collective discussion.
P – Theresa May’s decision to call an early election in 2017
E – Under the FTPA another election was not due until 2020. Labours support was needed to ensure 2/3 majority in the Commons required by FTPA and Labour accepted. Wanted to capitalise on perceived pollical advantage and enabling her Brexit strategy to be implemented, wanted her own personal endorsement. It didn’t have to be done and failed to heed more closely to voices of caution.
- Explain and analyse three events which led to a prime minister’s resignation. p78-82 and your notes (use Truss instead of Blair)
P - The introduction of the poll tax by Thatcher in 1990
E –The policy was introduced in Scotland and was very unpopular but was still extended to the rest of great Britain. Major riots broke out and the tax was easily parodied in parts of the media. She was solely accountable for the policy – there was no “political cover”.
P – Tony Blair and the Iraq war 2023
E – Britain entered the Iraq war under the premise that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction but none were found. In February 2003, 1 million people protested against the war and 4 senior cabinet ministers resigned. There was widespread loss of trust in Blair
P – Lizz Truss and the mini budget
E- Blew the Tory party’s long-held reputation for fiscal responsibility and careful economic planning. It included promised £45bn of unfunded tax cuts. The pound collapsed and government bond yields, skyrocketed. It forced the Bank of England to intervene and buy up £65bn of government bonds to settle the market.
- Explain and analyse the importance of three institutional powers of the prime minister. p83-89 and your notes
P - Arranging, chairing and creating cabinet committees
E – At liberty to order and structure these. They can also create other types of ministerial committees. For example, Johnson announced 4 new “implementation committees” in response to the pandemic and they focused on healthcare, the public sector, economics and business and international response.
A – Not always significant. Despite Blair creating a large number of committees, a former cabinet minister said that “Blair’s style of government didn’t fit well with the cabinet committee system.”
P – Dictating political priorities
E- Ability to set cabinet agenda and priorities when to comes to comes to political principles. For example, for those with strong majorities such as Thatcher, they have a mandate to achieve what they set out to do. She manages to dwindle the influence of trade unions and introduced widespread privatisation.
A – Often bound by their manifestos ot constrained by unfolding developments.
P – Dispensing honours
E – They can award life peerages in order to alter the party balance in the Lords.
A – Somewhat significant as can lead to accusations of “cash for honours”. For example, Cameron gave peerage to Andrew Cook, a former treasurer who has dnated more than £1million to the Conservatives.
- Explain and analyse the importance of three personal/political powers of the prime minister. p89-90 and your notes
P – Political capital
E – Trust and readiness to follow a leader due to previous achievements. Also enhanced when a high-risk policy works but jeopardized when they miscalculate. Thatcher’s success in the Falklands war considerably boosted her authority
P – Handling challenges
E – SNP demands of an independence referendum forced Cameron to oblige. He actively campaigned for remain, he put his political authority on the line but his strategy was vindicated
P – Momentum from leading a party to victory in previous elections
E – Tony Blair called and won early elections in 2001 and 2005. This cemented his position and authority within the party.
A – Did not deflect internal criticism of internal policieS
- Explain and analyse three factors which explain how prime ministers select their cabinet. (textbook p84 and p90-91)
P – Patronage
E – Prime ministers can hire/fire cabinet members at will without requesting the approval of anyone. Prime ministers often alter their cabinets extensively even if from the same party. Theresa May removed 15 of Camerons cabinet ministers.
A – Have to include some diversity in terms of policy positions. Firing ministers can also be detrimental as their speeches can damage a PMs credibility.
P – Forced into keeping ministers and thus must select them
E – Jeremy Hunt refused to leave under Theresa May and after hours of talks had been given an enhanced role.
P – Want to hear a broad range of views during debate
E - Cabinet meetings are used by the PM to gauge opinions before committing to major policies. Must have a diverse range of opinions.
- Explain and analyse three ways in which the cabinet can limit the power of the Prime Minister. (2019) p90-91 and your notes
P – Can be impossible to sack/remove
E - Jeremy Hunt refused to leave under Theresa May and after hours of talks had been given an enhanced role. Limits their power of patronage.
P – Resignation of their own accord.
E – Whilst in cabinet they must publicly agree – collective responsibility. However, when a minister resigns it implies a weak and divided government. Shrunken political capital.
P – Leak policies to the press if they are disloyal
E - Gavin Williamson was sacked as he allegedly leaked information from a National Security Council meeting. Critical of the plan and leaked it to undermine the policy.
- Explain and analyse three ways in which cabinet government still exists. p90-91 and your notes
P – Cabinet can prove very useful for a PM to ensure a co-ordinated approach to policy
E - Want to hear a broad range of views during debate. Cabinet meetings are used by the PM to gauge opinions before committing to major policies.
A - Often examples of PM going into a meeting decided. In 2003, a special cabinet meeting was dedicated to membership of the euro
P – Degree of autonomy over policy details
E – Most ministers run their own departments and the PM is unlikely to involve themselves in smaller policies
P – Report on current issues
E – Cabinet meetings under Cameron were taken up by departmental reports which allowed the PM to explore a wide range of concerns. Exists in that agenda and reports help the PM.
- Explain and analyse three roles of three cabinet committees. p85-87 and your notes
P – Reduce the burden on the full cabinet
E- Allow smaller groups of ministers to take decisions on specific policy areas. Cabinet will only concern itself with committees when a verdict has not been made. In 2021, there were 11 main cabinet committees including a Climate Change Committee and a Domestic and Economic strategy one.
P – Other types of ministerial communities can be set up to oversee certain elements of government
E – In 2015, Cameron introduced implementation task forced which were designed to monitor and drive delivery of the governments most important cross-cutting priorities.
P – Reflect current concerns
E – For example several were set up under Theresa May to deal with Brexit
- Explain and analyse three ways in which collective responsibility come under pressure since 1979. (2021) p92-93 and your notes.
P – Suspension of collective responsibility temporarily during referendums
E- For example, during the 1975 and 2016 EU referendums public disagreement was permitted on this specific topic as it was widely apparent misters held opposing views.
P – During the coalition during 2010-15
E – Identified 4 issues the Lib Dem ministers would not be bound by collective responsibility on. They were permitted to abstain on the creation of nuclear power stations, hire education, tax allowances for married couples and renewal of the nuclear deterrent.
P – Free votes
E – Granted to ministers and backbench MPs on issues of conscience. For example, Cameron allowed a free vote on the controversial marriage bill in 2013 and 2 ministers voted against it.
- Explain and analyse three events that have led to a ministerial resignation. p93-99 your notes
P – Unwillingness the accept collective responsibility
E – Happens when a minister strongly disagrees with a particular policy. Often come about through unforeseen events. Robin Cook resigned over the Iraq war believing that that Britain should work with its European partners and the UN, not the USA.
P – Personal misconduct
E – Refers to breaking the ministerial code which outlines 7 key principles which include accountability, selflessness, honest and objectivity. Maria Miller in 2014 resigned after falsely claiming expenses, undermining the honesty principle.
P – Political pressure
E – A minister has become embroiled in controversy and negative publicity. 2009 expenses scandal
- Explain and analyse three examples of the executive being unaccountable to parliament. p100 and your notes
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Party loyalty, principles open to interpretation, evade difficult questions
- Explain and analyse three examples of the executive being accountable to parliament. p100 and your notes
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P – All members must respect ministerial code which holds them accountable
P – Subject to regular grilling during PMQs ect.
P – Ministers appear before select committees.
