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UK Government And Politics > Prime Minister And Cabinet > Flashcards

Prime Minister And Cabinet Flashcards

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1
Q

Backbench MP definition

A

An MP who is not in a leadership role in their party but merely sits directly on the back bench

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2
Q

Cabinet definition

A

The committee of senior ministers responsible for controlling government policy and actions

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3
Q

Executive definition

A

The branch of government responsible for putting laws or decisions into effect

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4
Q

Accountability definition

A

The prime minister and cabinet take responsibility for and justify their actions

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5
Q

Collective responsibility definition

A

All decisions mace by cabinet must be supported by all members of the cabinet, at least in public

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6
Q

Individual ministerial responsibility definition

A

A minister Is responsible for any errors their department makes and should resign if their department makes a serious political or personal error

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7
Q

Executive dominance definition

A

The executive, when elected, is able to act like a dictator due to the weakness of parliament

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8
Q

Patronage definition

A

The power of the prime minister to control appointments to cabinet and order a reshuffle

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9
Q

President definition

A

An elected head of state

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10
Q

Prime minister definition

A

The head of an elected government, the principal minister of a sovereign or state

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11
Q

Prime minister’s questions definition

A

A time every week when MP’s can question the prime minister and make him account for all of his actions

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12
Q

Royal peroration definition

A

Powers that were formerly possessed by the monarch but are now used by the prime minister

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13
Q

Separation of powers definition

A

The legislative, executive and judiciary powers of government are exercised in separate bodies

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14
Q

Shadow cabinet definition

A

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

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15
Q

Vote of no confidence definition

A

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

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16
Q

Whips definition

A

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

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17
Q

Political debate definition

A

A formal discussion on a political issue or a piece of legislature

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18
Q

What are the sources of the prime minister’s authority and powers

A

Ruling party
Royal prerogative
Popular mandate
Parliament

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19
Q

Why is being leader of the ruling party a source of the prime minister’s power and authority

A

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

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20
Q

Why is the royal prerogative a source of theorise minister’s power and authority

A

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

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21
Q

Why is having a popular mandate a source of the prime minister’s power

A

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

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22
Q

Why is Parliament a source of the prime minister’s power

A

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

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23
Q

What are the roles of the prime minister

A 
Patronage 
Authority in the cabinet system
Party leadership
Public standing 
Policy-making role 
The prime minister's office 
Additional functions of the prime minister
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24
Q

What power does the PM gain through patronage

A

Appoint ministers
Allocate cabinet posts
Reshuffle cabinet
Dismiss ministers

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25
Q

What constraints does the PM have from patronage

A

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

26
Q

What powers does the PM gain from having authority in the cabinet system

A

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

27
Q

What constraints does the PM have from having authority in the cabinet system

A

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

28
Q

What powers does the PM gain from party leadership

A

Authority as the leader of a political party
Elected by MPs and party members
Enjoys a majority in the House of Commons

29
Q

What constraints does the PM have from being party leaders

A

Support of a party is not unconditional

Possibility of backbench rebellions

30
Q

What powers does the PM gain through public standing

A

High public profile
Communicator in chief for the government
Political leader in times of crisis
Represents the country in international affairs

31
Q

What constraints does the PM have through public standing

A

Unpopularity with the electorate undermines authority

May become the focus of media criticism

32
Q

What powers does tube PM gain from his/her policy making role

A

Directs government policy and sets the agenda
Authority to become involved in policy areas of choosing
Takes the key role in times of crisis

33
Q

What constraints does the PM have from their policy making role

A

Limited time and lack of detailed knowledge
Lacks the resources provided by a government department
May be difficult to achieve policy success

34
Q

What powers does the PM get through their office

A

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

35
Q

What constraints does the PM have from their office

A

Has limited resources - money, staff etc

Power of other departments, especially the treasury

36
Q

What are the functions of the PM

A 
Chief policy maker 
Head of government 
Chief government spokesperson 
Commander in chief of the armed forces 
Chief foreign policy maker 
Parliamentary leader
37
Q

What is the PM’s function as chief policy maker

A

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

38
Q

What is the PM’s function as head of government

A

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

39
Q

What is e PM’s function as chief government spokesperson

A

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

40
Q

What is the PM’s function as commander in chief of the armed forces

A

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

41
Q

What is the PM’s function as chief foreign policy maker

A

Carried out for the monarch

Can range from negotiating with foreign powers to signing treaties to chairing international meetings

42
Q

How can the PM be considered dominant

A

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

43
Q

What ate the four theories of executive power

A

Cabinet government
Core executive
Prime ministerial dominance
Presidentialism

44
Q

What are the features of a parliamentary government

A 
PM head of government 
Elected via parliamentary elections 
Control of legislature 
Collective cabinet 
No department
45
Q

What are the features of a presidential government

A 
Head of government and state 
Separately elected - president and party elected separately 
Independent legislature 
Sounding board cabinet 
Personal department
46
Q

Who is the executive (government) made up of

A

The prime minister
The cabinet
Ministers outside cabinet
Civil servants

47
Q

How many cabinet members are there

A

23

48
Q

How many junior ministers are there

A

60

49
Q

How many whips are there in government

A

17 - chief sits in cabinet

50
Q

What is a majority coalition

A

Normally formed by just two parties, such coalitions are or end simple to create parliamentary majority
eg 2010 coalition

51
Q

What is a grand coalition

A

A coalition between two major parties in order to create an overwhelming majority - this would normally only occur at times of national crisis

52
Q

What is a rainbow coalition

A

Agreements between a large number of parties, often with great,yo varying philosophies
Normally one large party and several smaller parties

53
Q

What is a national coalition

A

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

54
Q

What are the characteristics of government

A

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

55
Q

What must the PM consider when appointing ministers

A

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

56
Q

What two decisions does the PM need to make when appointing the cabinet

A

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

57
Q

What kind of ministers might a PM choose when forming cabinet

A

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

58
Q

What are the original functions of the cabinet

A 
Symbol of collective government 
Formal policy approval 
Policy coordination 
Resolve disputes
From for debate 
Party management 
Unifying the parliamentary party
Constraining the prime minister
59
Q

How has the cabinet been marginalised

A

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

60
Q

What are the weaknesses of the cabinet

A

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

UK Government And Politics (6 decks)

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