Prime Minister and executive

Question 1

Who is the secretary of state for education?

Answer 1

Bridget Phillipson

Question 2

Who is the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence?

Answer 2

Will Quince

Question 3

What are some examples of prime ministers proposing legislation?

Answer 3

In January 2025, following the tragic Southport attack, Prime Minister Starmer announced plans to reform terrorism laws to better address acts of extreme violence committed by lone individuals.

Question 4

What are examples of government’s proposing budgets ?

Answer 4

Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced the Autumn Budget, emphasizing funding for public services, an increase in stamp duty tax for second homes and an increase in national insurance contributions for employers

Question 5

What are examples of governments making policy decisions?

Answer 5

The government has unveiled plans to regenerate areas around Manchester’s Old Trafford, aiming to stimulate significant urban development (2025). The government has introduced plans to expedite housebuilding around England’s commuter train stations.

Question 6

What is prerogative power?

Answer 6

• powers historically exercised by the monarch but now mostly carried out by government ministers on behalf of the Crown.

Question 7

What are examples of prime minister’s negotiating and ratifying treaties?

Answer 7

In 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government negotiated trade agreements with the European Union to enhance post-Brexit cooperation on services and mutual recognition of professional qualifications.

Question 8

What are examples of prime minister’s declaring war and deployment of armed forces?

Answer 8

In 2023, UK forces were deployed to assist Ukraine in response to the ongoing conflict with Russia through logistical and training support, using prerogative powers.

Question 9

What are examples of prime minister appointing ministers?

Answer 9

In 2024, Keir Starmer recommended new appointments to key Cabinet roles, such as Rachel Reeves as Chancellor.

Question 10

What are some examples of prime ministers being party leaders?

Answer 10

• leader of the largest party - for example in 2024: Labour won 412 seats in parliamentary.
  -In July 2024, seven Labour MPs defied the party leadership by supporting an amendment to abolish the two-child benefit cap - Starmer suspended these MPs from the party, demonstrating a firm stance on party discipline.

Question 11

What are some examples of party rebellions?

Answer 11

In December 2021, PM Johnson experienced the largest rebellion of his tenure when 50 Conservative MPs voted against the introduction of a new COVID-19 tier system in England

Question 12

What are some examples of government introducing legislation?

Answer 12

• In the 2024-25 parliamentary session, the Labour government focused on flagship bills such as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the Employment Rights Bill, leaving limited time for private members’ bills or opposition motions.
• In 2023, a PMB proposing to increase the legal minimum wage to £15 per hour stalled because the Conservative government at the time did not allocate time for further readings.

Question 12

What was the role of the whip?

Answer 12

In 2022, Conservative MPs were instructed to vote against an amendment to the Online Safety Bill that sought to ban paid political advertisements on social media, ensuring it did not pass.

Question 13

What is an example of secondary legislation?

Answer 13

• The Immigration Order 2019 was introduced to tighten immigration control and provide more powers to detain individuals facing deportation. This SI faced criticism for being rushed through without adequate parliamentary scrutiny. Many questioned its impact on individual rights and its potential to disproportionately affect vulnerable migrants.

Question 13

What is an example of individual ministerial responsibility?

Answer 13

Suella Braverman was facing scrutiny over her handling of immigration policy, including allegations of sending confidential material via a private email account. Suella Braverman was forced to resign after her actions were deemed a breach of Individual Ministerial Responsibility (2024)

Question 14

What is an example of Collective responsibility?

Answer 14

• In 2024, the UK government under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a series of ambitious reforms to the NHS - Although some ministers privately expressed unease over the scale of the reforms or the funding allocations, they were not permitted to publicly dissent, showing that collective responsibility was enforced
  -In July 2018, during May’s tenure as PM, two prominent Cabinet ministers resigned over disagreements about her Brexit strategy, particularly the Chequers Plan, David Davis and Johnson

Question 15

What does it mean when a PM is first among equals?

Answer 15

In the UK, the executive is the cabinet, the prime minister is the ‘first minister’

Question 16

What are some examples of how a prime minister uses cabinet to reward allies and conciliate rivals?

Answer 16

Despite being a leading Leave campaigner and her rival in the Conservative leadership race, May appointed Johnson as a foreign sec, A loyal Sunak supporter during the leadership campaign, Gove was reinstated in this influential role, signalling Sunak’s commitment to maintaining loyalty within his Cabinet (2024)

Question 17

What are some examples of how a prime minister uses cabinet to balance views?

Answer 17

Despite being a leading Leave campaigner and her rival in the Conservative leadership race, May appointed Johnson as a foreign sec, Hammond, a prominent Remain supporter, was appointed as Chancellor to reassure moderates,

Question 18

What are some examples of how a prime minister uses the cabinet’s diversity?

Answer 18

PM Sir Keir Starmer comprises 26 members, with 12 of these positions held by women, Starmer includes three members from minority ethnic backgrounds, and Milliband is more ideologically left of the party.

Question 19

What are some examples of opinion polls on the prime minister starmar?

Answer 19

• YouGov polls indicate that 65% of respondents view him unfavourably, while only 27% hold a favourable opinion (Starmar - Jan 2025)
• survey conducted between November 27 and December 4, 2024, indicates that 61% of Britons are dissatisfied with Starmer’s performance, marking his highest dissatisfaction rating since becoming Labour leader

Question 20

What are some examples of opinion polls on the ex prime minister sunak?

Answer 20

• according to YouGov polling in late October 2022, 38% of respondents viewed him favourably, while 40% were unfavourable (Sunak), A record high of 72% of Britons expressed an unfavourable opinion of Sunak, while only 21% held a favourable view (Sunak - June 24),

Question 21

What is an example of prime minister acting as commander in chief?

Answer 21

As Prime Minister during the chaotic withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan, Boris Johnson acted as the head of the UK’s armed forces in coordinating the UK’s evacuation efforts and handling the Taliban’s rapid resurgence.

Question 22

What is an example of a standing committee?

Answer 22

• January 2025, the National Security Council (NSC) of the United Kingdom is chaired by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and The National Security Adviser (NSA), who serves as the Secretary to the NSC, is Jonathan Powell.

Question 23

What are some examples of subcommittees?

Answer 23

The Education Committee has set up subcommittees to investigate particular educational issues, such as special educational needs or the impact of digital technology in schools.

Question 24

What are some examples of ad hoc committees?

Answer 24

Covid-19 Inquiry Committee (2024) was established to investigate the UK government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee, which began its work in 2024, held hearings with key figures such as Matt Hancock, former Health Secretary.

Question 25

What are some examples of inner cabinet?

Answer 25

- During the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Johnson formed an inner cabinet - The cabinet was composed of ministers like Dominic Raab (Foreign Secretary), Rishi Sunak (Chancellor), Matt Hancock (Health Secretary), and Michael Gove (Minister for the Cabinet Office), among others.

Question 26

What are some examples of diversity in civil service ?

Answer 26

In 2024 - 47.9% is women, 15% is ethnic minorities

Question 27

What is an example of the influence of special advisors?

Answer 27

Cummings was heavily involved in shaping key policy decisions and was credited with influencing the government’s approach to Brexit and the pandemic response.

Question 28

What are some examples of how MPs can introduce bills?

Answer 28

Dan Jarvis, Labour MP produced a Private Members' Bill in 2020 proposing an increase to the National Minimum Wage and greater protections for low-wage workers.

Question 29

What is an example of a minister using PMQs to scrutinise?

Answer 29

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Keir Starmer,, used PMQs to question the government's handling of the crisis, focusing on issues like testing, lockdowns, and the availability of (PPE).

Question 30

What are some executive agencies?

Answer 30

(DVLA) - Role: Maintains registers of drivers and vehicles, issues driving licenses, and collects Vehicle Excise Duty

Question 31

What are some examples of Non-departmental public bodies?

Answer 31

The Environment Agency operates at arm's length from the UK government and is responsible for managing flood risks, regulating major industries to prevent pollution, and conserving water resources, among other environmental duties. It is overseen by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) but functions independently in its decision-making.

Question 32

What are some examples of how the management skills of the prime minister affects the relationship between the Cabinet and the Prime Minister.

Answer 32

Some PM’s are better at managing the Cabinet - For instance, BJ replaced dissenting ministers with staunch supporters during the 2020 reshuffle. Johnson centralized decision-making power in Downing Street, often sidelining traditional Cabinet debates. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, key decisions were made through smaller groups

Question 33

What are some examples of how the prime minister manages the agenda of the cabinet and affects the relationship between the cabinet and the prime minister?

Answer 33

- PM manages the agenda of the cabinet: During the party gate, frequently used Cabinet meetings to emphasize "forward-looking" policies and avoided in-depth discussions surrounding party gate. 25 Jan - Starmar mandated that ministers focus on growth and subject their proposals to rigorous growth impact assessments, Starmer effectively centres Cabinet discussions on this theme. This approach can lead to the deprioritization or exclusion of other topics

Question 34

What are some examples of the resources available to the prime minister?

Answer 34

- A Prime Minister's Office in Number 10 Downing Street staffed by a combination of civil servants and special advisers drawn from the governing party allowing them to seek advice from other sources and enact policies quicker.

Question 35

What are some examples of the impact of the wider political and economic situation on the prime minister's power?

Answer 35

It is important to note that the degree to which the prime minister can dominate the Cabinet is affected by a variety of external pressures. The large majority can allow greater domination of the cabinet ~ Labour 24: 412 seats, Covid -19 led to a greater reliance on subcommittees and special advisors rather than the cabinet. Brexit led to a large division within the cabinet and an inability to agree.

Question 36

What are some of Blair's policies?

Answer 36

- Introduced tuition fees for higher education, requiring students to contribute to the cost of their university education. - Focused on reducing unemployment with policies like the "New Deal," offering job training and support to get people back to work. - Established devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, creating the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, and Northern Ireland Assembly.

Question 37

What are some problems arising from the sofa government?

Answer 37

- Blair bypassed full Cabinet discussions on the decision to join the US-led invasion of Iraq. Decisions were made in informal meetings with a small group of advisers, such as Alastair Campbell and Jonathan Powell, rather than through formal Cabinet debate. - Many Cabinet ministers later claimed they were not fully informed about the intelligence or the legal advice regarding weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) before committing to war. (2003)

Question 38

What is a 2024 example of PMQs being influential?

Answer 38

- In December 2024, during PMQs, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch questioned Prime Minister Keir Starmer about his decision to appoint Louise Haigh as Transport Secretary despite her prior fraud conviction. This scrutiny could have contributed to Haigh's resignation, underscoring how PMQs can prompt ministerial accountability.

Question 39

What is an example of how PMQs are ineffective?

Answer 39

2024 PMQs, Sunak was pressed on the cost of living crisis but instead attacked Labour’s tax policies rather than offering substantive responses.

Question 40

What are some examples of select committees being effective scrutiny?

Answer 40

In November 2024, the Commons Business and Trade Select Committee examined the acquisition of Royal Mail by EP Group, led by Czech businessman Daniel Kretinsky. The committee questioned Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds about the implications of the takeover on employees, customers, and the UK's universal service obligation. This inquiry highlighted the committee's role in overseeing significant business transactions affecting national services.

Question 41

What is an example of how select committees are ineffective at scrutiny?

Answer 41

-Following the collapse of Carillion in 2018, select committees conducted inquiries and produced critical reports highlighting corporate failures and regulatory shortcomings. Despite these efforts, significant reforms in corporate governance and auditing practices were slow to materialize, raising questions about the committees' influence on enacting timely changes

Question 42

What are some examples of party rebellions?

Answer 42

More than 50 Conservative MPs voted against the tiered system, arguing that the restrictions were too severe and economically damaging. Over 60 MPs voted against the passage of the Rwanda safety bill because of concerns over the Rwanda plan and it potential undermining of HRA. This shows that parliament does have dominance.