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UK government (evidence) > PM and the Executive > Flashcards

PM and the Executive Flashcards

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1
Q

what are prerogative powers? examples?

A

powers previously held by the monarch, now possessed by the PM. e.g the power to declare war, appoint ministers, sign treaties

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2
Q

what is a cabinet government?

A

where main decision making takes place in the cabinet. the coalition government (2010-2015) is seen as return to cabinet govt

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3
Q

what are cabinet committees?

A

small committees set to establish details of policy

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4
Q

what is collective responsibility?

A
  • ministers must publicly support all government policy, even if they disagree.
  • if minister dissents govt the are expected to resign, if not they are sacked
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5
Q

what is individual responsibility?

A

ministers are responsible for their own departments and their own performance

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6
Q

when has there been an exception to collective responsibility?

A

during the coalition (2010-2015) and during EU referendum

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7
Q

what are examples of IMR?

A

Liam fox 2011 (defence secretary) allowed personal friend in defence meetings
Andrew Mitchell 2012 (chief whip) insulting a police officer

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8
Q

what is an example of erosion of IMR?

A

Gavin Williamson (education secretary) did not resign over exam confusion in 2020

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9
Q

what power does the cabinet have?

A

legitimises policy, initiate vote of no confidence, can overrule PM is gains enough political power

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10
Q

during the coalition what was the ratio of conservatives to Liberal Democrats in cabinet?

A

22:5 cons to Lib Dem

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11
Q

who were the Quad?

A

the inner cabinet of David Cameron, George Osborne, Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander

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12
Q

which PMs used cabinet as a ‘rubber stamp’?

A

Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair due to large commons majority

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13
Q

what is sofa politics?

A

style use by Tony Blair, conducting informal meetings with colleagues outside cabinet to control policy making

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14
Q

how does the PM control cabinet?

A
  • use of patronage, can add or remove anyone
  • PM has large machinery of policy making, can use position against isolated ministers
  • PM controls cabinet agenda
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15
Q

what were Margaret thatchers parliamentary majorities?

A

1979: 43
1983: 144
1987: 102

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16
Q

what were Tony Blairs parliamentary majorities?

A

1997: 179
2001: 167
2005: 66

17
Q

what led to Thatchers downfall?

A

the introduction of poll tax unpopular among all sides including her own party, she lost leadership election in 1990

18
Q

what led to Blairs downfall?

A

huge opposition to the Iraq war and by 2007 the momentum for change had become large. Blair resigned in 2007

19
Q

what was David Camerons parliamentary majorities?

A

2010: no majority
2015: 12

20
Q

what led to downfall of Cameron?

A

called for referendum on EU membership and campaigned to remain. outcome was leave and he resigned following defeat in 2016

21
Q

what are the arguments for the PM as president?

A
  • takes on many roles of head of state
  • PM is chief foreign policy maker
  • PM makes strategic military decisions
  • controls intelligence at home and abroad
  • negotiates treaties
  • recent media room in Downing Street for conferences
22
Q

what are the arguments against PM as president?

A
  • not head of state
  • not directly elected
  • foreign policy is subject to parliamentary approval
  • can be removed from office by parliament or party
  • powers are not codified in constitution
23
Q

How did the 2011 Fixed Term Parliaments Act alter the prerogative powers of the PM?

A

The FTPA removed the power from the PM to decide when to call an election, with the Act automatically deciding the date of the next election.

24
Q

Who are 2 notable resignations from Boris Johnson’s Cabinets?

A 
Sajid Javid (2020) after he was told to sack his whole team to remain in his position as Chancellor.
Amber Rudd (2019) after she had the whip removed for failing to support his Brexit deal.
25
Q

Between 2017 and 2019, how many ministers resigned from Theresa May’s second ministry?

A

Between 2017 and 2019, 21 ministers resigned from Theresa May’s government, including 8 cabinet ministers.

26
Q

why did Cameron and may work closely with their cabinets?

A

both had weak commons majorities

27
Q

how can PMs ensure loyalty among cabinet?

A

appoint those who agree with their leadership. e.g Johnson appointing pro-brexit ministers, thatcher Neo liberal ministers

28
Q

What were key policies of Margaret Thatcher?

A
  • privatisation of major industry
  • reducing top income tax to 40%
  • curbing power of trade unions
  • section 28
  • encouraging completion within economy and business
29
Q

What were Tony Blair’s key policies?

A
  • constitutional reform including devolution and HRA
  • increased expenditure on health and education
  • maintained low tax
  • iraq war 2003
  • introduced national minimum wage
  • recognised and supported capitalism
30
Q

What were David Cameron’s key policies?

A
  • austerity measures to cut public spending following financial crash
  • same sex marriage act
  • promoting more devolution
  • hold EU referendum
  • led welfare reform
31
Q

what were Boris Johnsons key policies?

A
  • get brexit done
  • 20,000 more police officers
  • covid legislation (coronavirus act)
  • 50,000 more nurses
32
Q

how has individual ministerial responsibility been eroded recently?

A

boris Johnson has passed that ministers only have to apologise rather than resign over mistakes made

33
Q

What contemporary examples are there of Cabinet proposing legislation?

A

The Cabinet has proposed legislation relating to Brexit such as the points-based immigration system and also Coronavirus legislation such as the Coronavirus Act.

34
Q

How can a PM ensure loyalty when selecting their Cabinet?

A

A PM can ensure loyalty within Cabinet by appointing their supporters into senior positions to support their policies. This has been seen through Thatcher (Neo-Liberal) Blair (Third Way) and Johnson (Pro-Brexit).

35
Q

How can a PM ensure balanced decision making among their Cabinet when selecting it? Who has adopted this approach?

A

A PM can appoint individuals such as supporters and enemies to satisfy all party factions. This shows a broad range of opinion. This can be seen through Harold Wilson in the 1970s, the Coalition and Theresa May’s government containing Remain and Leave supporters.

36
Q

how was Theresa may’s cabinet troublesome for her?

A

she appointed ministers who were pro-brexit and against brexit which caused infighting and slow progress in deals

37
Q

how many seats did conservatives win in 2019? what majority was it?

A

365 seats with 80 seat majority

38
Q

how many backbench MPs voted against boris Johnson in vote of no confidence?

A

75% of backbenchers

UK government (evidence) (4 decks)

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