Prime Minister And Cabinet Flashcards
Backbench MP definition
An MP who is not in a leadership role in their party but merely sits directly on the back bench
Cabinet definition
The committee of senior ministers responsible for controlling government policy and actions
Executive definition
The branch of government responsible for putting laws or decisions into effect
Accountability definition
The prime minister and cabinet take responsibility for and justify their actions
Collective responsibility definition
All decisions mace by cabinet must be supported by all members of the cabinet, at least in public
Individual ministerial responsibility definition
A minister Is responsible for any errors their department makes and should resign if their department makes a serious political or personal error
Executive dominance definition
The executive, when elected, is able to act like a dictator due to the weakness of parliament
Patronage definition
The power of the prime minister to control appointments to cabinet and order a reshuffle
President definition
An elected head of state
Prime minister definition
The head of an elected government, the principal minister of a sovereign or state
Prime minister’s questions definition
A time every week when MP’s can question the prime minister and make him account for all of his actions
Royal peroration definition
Powers that were formerly possessed by the monarch but are now used by the prime minister
Separation of powers definition
The legislative, executive and judiciary powers of government are exercised in separate bodies
Shadow cabinet definition
A cabinet made up of MPs from the second largest part that shadows each if the members of the cabinet. This allows the opposition to look at each part of government and question them thoroughly if necessary
Vote of no confidence definition
A vote showing that a majority of ministers do not support the policies of a leader or a governing body, often causing them to combine
Whips definition
A member of a political party in parliament or in the legislature whose job is to make sure that other party members are present at voting time and that they vote in a particular way
Political debate definition
A formal discussion on a political issue or a piece of legislature
What are the sources of the prime minister’s authority and powers
Ruling party
Royal prerogative
Popular mandate
Parliament
Why is being leader of the ruling party a source of the prime minister’s power and authority
The prime minister has the support of his party both in parliament and in the country in the form of ordinary members
Since the party has won the right t of govern the prime minister arrives his parties elective authority with him
Why is the royal prerogative a source of theorise minister’s power and authority
The reigning monarch retains the power to carry out the functions of to head if state, such as commanding the armed forces. In a democracy we cannot allow an unelected monarch to exercise these powers and so the authority to exercise these prerogative powers is delegated to the prime minister
Why is having a popular mandate a source of the prime minister’s power
Although technically the voters are choosing an MP and party, they know they are also electing a print minister and this is important when it comes to deciding who to vote for at an election. This means the victorious PM can claim to enjoy the authority of the electorate - does not apply to PM’s who came into power between elections, eg Major, Brown
Why is Parliament a source of the prime minister’s power
The prime minister is the parliamentary leader and as long as he has the support of a majority of the House of Commons he can claim Parliamentary authority
What are the roles of the prime minister
Patronage Authority in the cabinet system Party leadership Public standing Policy-making role The prime minister's office Additional functions of the prime minister
What power does the PM gain through patronage
Appoint ministers
Allocate cabinet posts
Reshuffle cabinet
Dismiss ministers
What constraints does the PM have from patronage
Claims if senior colleagues for inclusion and specific posts
Labour PM required to appoint first cabinet from elected shadow cabinet
Ideological balance - talented back benchers
Unintended consequences of a botched reshuffle
Possibility of sacked minister’s emerging as rivals for leadership
What powers does the PM gain from having authority in the cabinet system
Chair cabinet meetings
Manage the cabinet agenda
Steers, simp puns up and determines outcome of cabinet discussions
Holds bilateral and informal meetings with key ministers
Appoints chairs and members of cabinet committees
Restructure central government
What constraints does the PM have from having authority in the cabinet system
Requires cabinet support on major or controversial issues
Senior ministers have authority and may challenge the PM’s preferred policy
Problems may arise if senior ministers feel they are being ignored
Not involved in detailed policy making in cabinet committees
What powers does the PM gain from party leadership
Authority as the leader of a political party
Elected by MPs and party members
Enjoys a majority in the House of Commons
What constraints does the PM have from being party leaders
Support of a party is not unconditional
Possibility of backbench rebellions
What powers does the PM gain through public standing
High public profile
Communicator in chief for the government
Political leader in times of crisis
Represents the country in international affairs
What constraints does the PM have through public standing
Unpopularity with the electorate undermines authority
May become the focus of media criticism
What powers does tube PM gain from his/her policy making role
Directs government policy and sets the agenda
Authority to become involved in policy areas of choosing
Takes the key role in times of crisis
What constraints does the PM have from their policy making role
Limited time and lack of detailed knowledge
Lacks the resources provided by a government department
May be difficult to achieve policy success
What powers does the PM get through their office
Provides advice and support
Better enables PM to direct policy and act as a communicator
Appoints special advisers
Can reorganise the structure of the government
What constraints does the PM have from their office
Has limited resources - money, staff etc
Power of other departments, especially the treasury
What are the functions of the PM
Chief policy maker Head of government Chief government spokesperson Commander in chief of the armed forces Chief foreign policy maker Parliamentary leader
What is the PM’s function as chief policy maker
Although his role is shared to some extent with other ministers, the cabinet and his party, the PM is completely pre-eminent in making the governments policies
What is the PM’s function as head of government
Can create and abolish posts and departments
Head of civil service and can seek help from its vast machinery
Chairs cabinet meetings, determines their agenda and controls the system of cabinet committees that underpins it
Determines who should hold posts as ministers,senior judges and bishops/archbishops in the Church of England
What is e PM’s function as chief government spokesperson
Expected to be the ultimate source of the official version of government policy to the media - the definitive version of policy must come from them
What is the PM’s function as commander in chief of the armed forces
The decision of the PM whether not to commit British troops to battle or to any other role
They may seek advice before they do this
What is the PM’s function as chief foreign policy maker
Carried out for the monarch
Can range from negotiating with foreign powers to signing treaties to chairing international meetings
How can the PM be considered dominant
The PM generally dominates the cabinet - chooses who will serve in cabinet and the positions they will hold
Has the ability to dismiss cabinet members and to redistribute responsibilities
Controls the cabinet agenda
Powers include a degree of control over the file of information available to cabinet ministers and the right to determine which cabinet ministers will speak
Can sum up cabinet meetings and declare what was decided
What ate the four theories of executive power
Cabinet government
Core executive
Prime ministerial dominance
Presidentialism
What are the features of a parliamentary government
PM head of government Elected via parliamentary elections Control of legislature Collective cabinet No department
What are the features of a presidential government
Head of government and state Separately elected - president and party elected separately Independent legislature Sounding board cabinet Personal department
Who is the executive (government) made up of
The prime minister
The cabinet
Ministers outside cabinet
Civil servants
How many cabinet members are there
23
How many junior ministers are there
60
How many whips are there in government
17 - chief sits in cabinet
What is a majority coalition
Normally formed by just two parties, such coalitions are or end simple to create parliamentary majority
eg 2010 coalition
What is a grand coalition
A coalition between two major parties in order to create an overwhelming majority - this would normally only occur at times of national crisis
What is a rainbow coalition
Agreements between a large number of parties, often with great,yo varying philosophies
Normally one large party and several smaller parties
What is a national coalition
Coalitions were all parties are invited to participate
They occur at times of national crisis and are designed to create unity
Last happened in Britain in the 1930s, during World War Two
What are the characteristics of government
23 cabinet members
15 senior non-cabinet posts
60 junior ministers
17 whips
115 people in government all together - 25 lords and 90 MPs
All members of government must sit in parliament as well
MPs of governing party are not all government ministers - some are backbenchers
Though he can be advised, only the PM can appoint and dismiss government ministers
All members are bound by collective responsibility
What must the PM consider when appointing ministers
Weigh up personal qualities vs political consequences - i.e. if the best person for the job is considered a rebel
Need to be politically reliable - agree with PM in public
Dissidents are sometimes appointed
Junior ministers need to be appointed for their potential as eventually they will need to fill senior posts
People who think similar to them managerial skills to run departments, manage civil servants etc
What two decisions does the PM need to make when appointing the cabinet
Will they choose a balanced cabinet which contains varied polypitica, opinions, or one that is ideologically united
Which individuals should fill the 22 spots in the cabinet
What kind of ministers might a PM choose when forming cabinet
Political allies who have been guaranteed a post - eg George Osborne
An individual who can represent an important section of the party
A potential rebel who has great ability and is widely respected who would be silenced by collective responsibly
Individuals with potential and the ability to manage a department
A personal friend who they wish to be close to
Individuals that are popular figures with the public and media
People that are considered good at their job
What are the original functions of the cabinet
Symbol of collective government Formal policy approval Policy coordination Resolve disputes From for debate Party management Unifying the parliamentary party Constraining the prime minister
How has the cabinet been marginalised
The personal authority and power of the PM alone have grown in contrast to collective power of the cabinet
Growing tendencies for great departments of state such as the treasury - growing influence in cabinet affairs
What are the weaknesses of the cabinet
PM’s patronage means that he is now dominant as most posts are determined by him - MPs need to stay loyal
Most decisions are made in committees
Meetings are shorter and state managed - doesn’t allow a great amount of work to be done in a meeting
Large departments have become more independent, which can lead to a lack of cohesion in government
More decisions are made in bilateral meetings
Much decision making has moved to the 10 Downing Street organisation
