PM & Cabinet Facts Flashcards
What has the role of the PM famously been described as?
‘First among equals’.
What are the 6 main roles of the PM?
- Core executive
- Provide domestic leadership
- Majority party leader
- Directs policy making
- Has authority in cabinet
- Holds the powers of patronage
What are 4 sources of Prime Ministerial power?
- Being leader of the largest party
- The Royal Prerogative
- The popular mandate
- Parliament
What is ‘the night of the long knives’ in reference to?
In 1962 when Harold Macmillan sacked 7 cabinet ministers in one day.
How times has Britain changed Prime Minister since 1945? (and how many assumed office without an election?)
15 times (7).
How many years has Labour been in power since 1900?
It has been in power for only 32 years.
What style of Prime Minister was John Major?
A collectivist, delaying decisions until he has cabinet support, divisive issues often made things fall apart.
What style of Prime Minister was Tony Blair?
A directive Prime Minister, using the executive office to develop his strategic direction, working with a massive majority.
What style of Prime Minster was Gordon Brown?
Indecisive, preferring to review and consult, leading to limited policy making.
What style of Prime Minster was David Cameron?
A facilitator, working with a coalition and bypassing cabinet and instead using the ‘quad’, under a weak majority.
What type of Prime Minster was Margaret Thatcher?
An innovator.
What is the job of the civil service?
To help the government implement policy more effectively, they are impartial and independent.
In what 4 main ways is the Prime Minister similar to the President?
- They are both the figurehead of government
- They both control the military
- They are both leaders of their party
- Both of their legislatures have the power to remove them from office
In what 3 main ways is the Prime Minister different from the President?
- The PM’s cabinet is a decision making body where as the President’s cabinet is only advisory
- The PM has to have a majority in the House of Common where as the President does not need a majority in Congress
- The PM sits in the legislature where as the President cannot
What are 4 examples of exceptions to collective ministerial responsibility?
- During the 1975 EEC and 2016 EU referendums
- During the coalition over higher education funding and Trident
- The 2013 Marriage Bill
- The 2004 Fox Hunting Ban
Why did Robin Cook resign from Government?
He didn’t want to accept responsibility for Tony Blair’s invasion of Iraq.
Why did Sir Thomas Dugdale resigned as Minister for Agriculture? (and when?)
Because 700 acres of farm land possessed by the government in the war had been rented out instead of given back to its original owners (1954)
Why did Lord Carrington resign as Foreign Secretary? (and when?)
He resigned because the England was unprepared for the invasion of the Falklands (1982).
What is it argued that collective cabinet responsibility has lead to?
Increased power of the Prime Minister, who only uses cabinet as a rubber stamp.
What did Sir Geoffrey Howe’s resignation as Foreign Secretary do? (and when?)
It lead to the downfall of Margaret Thatcher (1990).
What two main things does the power of the Prime Minister rely on?
- The size of their majority
2. Their Prime Ministerial style
What 3 major decision did Tony Blair make by himself?
- The building of the millennium dome
- The invasion of Iraq
- Giving the exchange rates to the Bank of England
By what proportion did Tony Blair reduce the size of his cabinet?
1/3
What did Blair do instead of making key decisions in Cabinet?
He used ad-hoc informal meeting in Number 10.
Why did Brown use more cabinet meetings?
Because of the financial crisis, he made use also of the National Economic Council.
What cabinet committee did David Cameron create?
The National Security Council, which he chaired.
What 3 new cabinet committee areas did May create?
- Brexit
- Economic and industrial strategy
- Social reform
(which she chaired all of)
