Prime Minister Flashcards
Roles of the Prime Minister
Makes Government Creates Government Policy Organises Government Manages the Cabinet system Provides National Leadership Controls Parliament
Sources of the Prime Minister’s Authority
Ruling Party
Royal Prerogative
Parliament
Popular Mandate
Why is the Ruling Party a source of Power and Authority?
The PM has the support of his party both in parliament and in the country in the form of ordinary members. As party has the right to govern, the PM carries his party’s elective authority with him.
Why is the Royal Prerogative a source of the Prime Minister’s Power and Authority?
Monarch retains (in theory and law), power to carry out the functions of the head of state e.g. commanding the armed forces. In a democracy we can’t allow an unelected monarch to yield power – delegated to P.M.
Why is the Popular Mandate a source of the Prime Minister’s Power and Authority?
Leader of party becoming more important in deciding vote at elections. Thus PM can claim a mandate.
Why is the Parliament a source of the Prime Minister’s Power and Authority?
PM parliamentary leader as he has majority. Some augment power with personal qualities. Margaret Thatcher dominant personality admired/feared. Tony Bair charismatic thus increasing influence.
Three major requirements of being Prime Minister:
They must be a member of the Westminster parliament
They must be leader of a political party
Their party should normally be the majority party in the Commons
Functions of the Prime Minister:
Chief Policy Maker Head of Government Chief Government Spokesperson Commander in Chief of Armed Forces Chief Foreign Policy Maker Parliamentary Leader
What is the Chief Policy Makers role?
The Prime Minister is vital in Policy decisions, although Minister’s, Cabinet and his Party also shares this power/responsibility, it is overall dependant on the PM’s decision.
What is the Head of Government’s role?
The Prime Minister’s role in being Head of Government holds many responsibilities such as creating and abolishing departments, PM also chair’s the cabinet meetings and can control the cabinet system and it’s committee. The PM is Head of the Civil Service, can get advice from Civil Servants. PM determines who is suitable in holding posts such as Bishops/Archbishops in the Church of England, Ministers and Senior Judges.
What is the Chief Government Spokesperson’s role?
PM is expected to represent the official version of government policy to the media, definitive policy must come form the PM.
What is the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces role?
It is solely the Prime Minister’s decision regarding whether to send troops out into battle/war/dangerous situations. PM will most likely seek advice before coming to a decision.
What is the Chief Foreign Policy Makers role?
This duty is done for the Monarch. This can be a range of negotiating with Foreign powers, signing Foreign Treaties and chairing International meetings.
What is the Parliamentary Leader’s role?
Prime Minister is responsible for leading their party in PMQs and other debates. Overall the PM is in control of Government strategy wthin both houses.
