PM and executive Flashcards
What is the executive
Prime minister
Cabinet
Junior ministers
What is the royal prerogative
Powers and privileges reserved for the monarch
-Pm holds them
What is traditional authority
Authority that is considered legitimate as it has existed for a long time
What is an example of a prime minister exerting their control over parliament
John Major resigning as party leader in 1995
Didn’t resign as PM
re appointed in leadership contest
resulted in great boost to authority and power
What formal powers does the prime minister have
Patronage
-Apointing ministers
-Apointing judges and peers
Commander-in-chief
Ability to call an early general election if parliament approves with a 2/3 majority
What informal powers does the PM have
Controlling and setting government policy
Economic leadership
Controlling and setting legislative agenda
What is an example of a Prime minister not having power in terms of commander in chief
In 2013 the Syrian Government was using chemical weapons against civillians
Cameron wanted to intervene
House of commons rejected proposal
What did Cameron asking for Parliament approval for Syria bombings show
vulnerability in position
What is needed for “official policy”
Cabinet approval
What is the prime minister and his advisers etc called
The downing street machine
What is collective responsibility
Ministers collectively responsible for all government policies
All ministers must support all government policies
Why is collective responsibility a positive aspect of the UK political system
Creates a strong united and decisive government
Confidentiality of the cabinet means that ministers can engage in discussions in private
Why is collective responsibility potentially a negative aspect of the UK political system
Puts too much power in the hands of the prime minister
Ministers cannot be openly honest
resignations under the doctrine are dramatic events that may seriously undermine the government
What is an Example of ministerial responsibility eroding
Chris Grayling 2018
What did Chris gayling allow in 2018
What did it lead to
Reforms to change the railway timetable to being more efficient
In practice this caused chaos
System disrupted for months
What did the transport select committee show about the railway disruption in 2018
No one took charge when it became clear that there were problems
Secretary of state was mainly to blame
What did Chris Grayling do after admitting his mistake regarding railways in 2018
Refused to reign
Continued as transport secretary
Only stepped down when Theresa may resigned
What is an example of Cabinet resignation due to individual ministerial responsibility
Sajid Javid in 2020
Who was Sajid Javid clashing with in 2020
Dominic Cummins
What did Sajid Javid do following Boris and Cummins telling him to replace all his advisors with their choice
He resigned
“unable to accept those conditions”
Name an example of a Prime minister reshuffling the cabinet on the basis of party unity
Boris Johnson removing many soft Brexiteers for hard ones
How does party unity influence a Prime ministers decision to appoint ministers
Prime minister may want to ensure a balanced cabinet that reflects different political wings of the party
An authoritative Pm may favour one group for ideological reasons
Who are the big beasts
Gordon Brown
Boris Johnson
Michael Gove
What did Tony Blair do to cabinet
Adopted a style of “Sofa politics”
