PM & The Executive (P2) Flashcards
What is the executive?
One of three branches of government, they propose and execute laws, propose budgets and create policies
What are the roles of the PM? (6)
-Power of patronage (appoint/dismiss ministers,reshuffle cabinet)
-Directing policy
-Managing cabinet
-Organising gov
-Controlling Parliament
-Leadership
What is the civil service?
not supposed to serve a political purpose, support the ministers not the party, not an ideological institution
What is a spAd?
Special advisors - employed as civil servants but give political advice to ministers
e.g Dominic Cummings led 2019 election campaign as chief of staff to Johnson
What is IMR?
Ministers being responsible for their conduct and departments, accountable to Parliament, measured by ministerial code of conduct
What is CMR?
all ministers are responsible for all executive policies and decisions, and will defend them in public despite of personal opinion - to dissent publicly they must resign
Why is CMR important?
supports powers of PM and authority, provides a strong and united front in government
What are the exceptions to CMR?
Coalition years 2010-2015
Free votes (EU referendum)
May minority gov 2017-2019
Why is May’s minority government significant for CMR?
Principle of CMR may rely more on the power of the PM than having any significance on its own
What are the examples that present IMR as weak?
Braverman reinstated as Home sec after email leak sacking, Priti Patel bullying allegations, Matt Hancock no call for resignation over covid affair, Johnsons partygate shifted blame, Williamson pressure from media
What are the examples that present IMR as strong?
Matt Hancock did resign, Suella Braverman sacked over email leaks, Amber Rudd (homesec) resigned over windrush, williamson resigned over exams
What are the examples that present CMR as weak?
2015 coalition years ignored (Vince Cable), Theresa May with Johnson as foreign sec 2016
What are the examples that present CMR as strong?
Robin Cook resigned over Iraq war, Lord Frost resigned over Plan B covid restrictions
What are the two types of relationship between PM and cabinet?
Presidential style - PM has the most power over cabinet (e.g Thatcher and Blair)
Sounding board - work collaboratively and listen to ministers feedback (e.g Cameron and May)
What are the 6 factors that affect how a PM chooses Cabinet?
Allies - Brown and Blair, Truss appointing leadership campaign supporters
Big Beasts - appointed to avoid criticism or rebellion (May w/ Hammon and Johnson)
Ability/Expertise - Sunak as Chancellor during covid
Party Factions - Suella apart of ERG
Rivals - bound by CMR
Diversity - Trusses cabinet all 4 great offices
How was the relationship between PM and Cabinet from 1960s-2010s
PM dominated - prime ministerial and Blair used sofa politics