Prime minister and the executive Flashcards
cabinet
senior ministers
decision making body of gov
role of the executive
make policy decisions
propose legislation
propose a budget
making policy decisions
day to day + overall policy
administrative exec implements it
proposing a budget
key decisions on economic policy
chancellor sets out levels of taxation and public spending
powers of the executive
prerogative powers
control of legislative agenda
powers of secondary legislation
prerogative powers
dont require parliamentary approval
e.g making treaties,organisation of civil service+granting of pardons
a prerogative power that has been limited by convention
votes on whether to deploy armed forces overseas
how have the PMs power been limited in terms of dissolving a government
can’t ask monarch anymore
have to agreed by 2/3 parliament
^result of fixed term parliament act 2011
votes on the motion of an early genera election 2017
522 to 13
who are most bills proposed by
government
secondary legislation
allows provisions of an act to be bought into force/amended without a further act
example of a statutory instrument
when parts of an act come into force
key roles of the prime minister (7)
leadership (political+national) appointing gov chairing cabinet managing exec prerogative power managing relations wi parliament representing UK in international affairs
what is the convention about where the PM should come from
commons rather than lords bc it’s the dominant house
3 requirements to become PM
leader of party
be a MP
party they lead usually has majority
prime ministers office
190 people civil servants+special advisors
two main areas of work in the PMs office
policy advice
communications
policy advice
sets up future direction of policy
during Cameron’s premiership he scaled back this roles
but strengthened by creating policy and implementation unit in whitehall
communications
grown due to intensification of media
present gov policy
resources available to the prime minister
patronage authority in cabinet policy making input party leadership public standing
patronage
power to appoint individual to a position
PM and life peers
PM can appoint life peers to lords
makes political nominations
enables PM to alter party balance in lords
who gives recommends life peers on non party appointments
appointments commission
cash for honours
inquiry into allegations that donors of lab party rewarded with peerages
no criminal charges
what was the result of the cash for honour scandal ending in 2007
honours committee’s set up restricts PMs role
what other areas besides honours has the PMs power been limited
now have no role in judicial appointments
how did the coalition gov limit Cameron’s power to appoint MPs
had to appoint 5 lib dem to cabinet
informal restraints on PMs power when appointing ministers
won’t overlook senior ministers (even if there rivals)
cabinet reshuffle
series of changes to people in cabinet
what does cabinet reshuffle allow the PM to do
promote successful ministers
demote those not performing
what are the dangers with wrong reshuffle’s of cabinet
reveal cabinet division
highlight policy questions
question PMs judgement
give an example of how a cabinet reshuffle has backfired
thatcher demoting foreign secretary of sir geoffrey howe 1989-triggered thatchers downfall
PMs authority within the core executive
chair cabinet meetings
managing agenda of cabinet meetinfs
organise structure of government
how is authority weakened in cabinet
if PM is too domineering or indecisive
example of a cabinet committee
economy and industrial strategy committee
how does PM control the agenda of cabinet meetings
control info presented
keeping difficult issues off the agenda
bilateral meeting
between pm and a departmental minister
example of how the PM needs backing on major issues
Lawson and Howe forced Margaret Thatcher to change policy on European Exchange Rate Mechanism (shows how she didn’t have support)
what did the 2003 invasion of Iraq do to Blair
undermined his position
made people question his judgement
why can the PM not always rely on party support
backbench rebellions (con MPs about Lords reform)
why is the sudden removal of a Prime minister unlikely
length and cost of leadership election
public standing
PM has high profile
Thacther+Blair strong relations with US
Patronage gives the PM power (YES)
appoint+dismiss
allies in key roles
Patronage gives the PM power (NO)
colleagues may have claims to posts
restricted by desire for ideological balance
botched reshuffles=problems
limited choice
Authority in cabinet brings PM power (YES)
manages meetings+minister chairs
steer discussion
use bilateral meetings
Authority in cabinet brings PM power (NO)
problems arise people feel ignored
challenges to PM
PM not involved in detailed policy
Party leadership brings PM power (YES)
been elected so has legitimacy
normally has majority in commons
Party leadership brings PM power (NO)
support is not unconditional
allow leadership challenge
backbench rebel increase
how does public satisfaction benefit the PM
strengthens their decision
one seen as strong and effective has greater authority
who does the cabinet consist of
senior ministers
do you have to be a cabinet minister to attend the meetings
no, you can be granted the right by the PM
2012 10 minister attended cabinet- weren’t full members
most important departments
treasury, foreign office and home office
how many cabinet meetings are there per week
1 last roughly an hour
cabinet comittees
sub-committees of the cabinet appointed by the prime minister
cabinet office
provides support for the cabinet created in 1916
cabinet secretariat
regulates+coordinates cabinet business
what two documents set out the role and function of cabinet
ministerial code
cabinet manual
functions of the cabinet (system)
make decisions on major issues
receive reports on key developments
settling disputes between government departments
what is the main business of the cabinet concerning
questions that engage collective responsibility
unresolved dispute between government departments
why is cabinet ability to decide policy constrained
infrequency of meetings
size
detailed nature of policy
how has cabinet changed since the 1960s-70s
shorter discussions before reaching a decision
done with small informal groups
what reports are heard in the cabinet
parliamentary business (outlines following weeks business)
economic and home affairs
foreign affairs
why did Michael Heseltine resign
1985 westland affair
unhappy with thatcher decision that cabinet wouldn’t hear his appeal against cabinet committee about awarding defence contract
The Cabinet is submissive to the PM (YES)
PM appoints+dismisses
control over cabinet agenda
decisions taken outside of cabinet
can claim mandate from party+public
the cabinet is submissive to the PM (NO)
no practical limits, potential rivals
senior ministers work together to oppose PM
popular senior ministers have influence
collective responsibility
principle that minsters must support cabinet decisions or resign from government
three main elements of collective responsibility
secrecy
binding decisions
confidence vote
secrecy
ministers keep cabinet convos a secret ensuring sensitive info isn’t leaked to the public
binding decisions
once a decision is reached in cabinet it becomes binding to all ministers
if this can’t be accepted a minister should resign
confidence vote
gov must resign if they lose vote of confidence
last happened 1979
give 3 examples of resignations over collective responsibility
John Redwood 1995
Robin Cook 2003
Norman Barker 2014
why did john redwood resign
launched leadership challenge
why did Robin cook resign
opposed invasion in iraq
why did norman barker resign
opposed policy on home affairs
suspension on collective responsibility during referendums
done to prevent resignations
Harold Wilson allowed ministers to campaign either way during 1975 EEC, his gov supported yes
coalition collective responsibility in AV referendum
suspended cons and lib dems voted differently
how many cabinet ministers campaigned to leave the EU despite government stance to be supporting EU membership
5
what were the 4 issues members of the 2010 coalition agreement didn’t have collective responsibility on
construction of nuclear power stations
tax allowance for married couples
higher education funding
case against renewal of trident nuclear deterrent
give an example of where collective responsibility broke down in the coalition government
differences emerged in each party on vote for EU referendum
cons in favour
free votes
granted on issues of conscience
Cameron allowed free vote on Marriage Bill 2013
in what three ways has collective responsibility come under strain
leaks
dissent and non resignation
prime ministerial dominance
leaks
info leaked to the media
been revealed in books by Ed Balls and Nick Clegg
people don’t want to go public with their criticisms
dissent and non resignation
cabinet ministers who oppose important parts of polic but survived even when their concerns are public
some lib dem minister critical about coalition policy only norman barker resigned
prime ministerial dominance
complaints that blair didn’t consult cabinet enough
individual ministerial responsibility
ministers are responsible to parliament for their personal conduct
when are ministers not obliged to resign
if failings are traceable to civil servant but are constitutionally responsible for telling parliament about department actions
what does the ministerial code state
must give ‘accurate and truthful information to
parliament’
those who don’t ‘expected to offer resignation’
Why did Berverley Hughs resign in 2004
admitted to giving parliament ‘misleading impression’ on checks on migrants from eastern europe
who are responsible for day to day matters
officials not ministers
example of how their is complexity around ministerial responsibility
transfer of policy implementation from government to department
e.g head of UK border force made decisions about relaxed borders without consent of home secretary Theresa May
4 reasons that ministers resign
mistakes made in department
policy failure
personal misconduct
political pressure
mistakes made in department example (reason for resignation)
Sir Thomas Douglas 1954 mistakes by civil servants om Crichel Down case
policy failure example (reason for resignation)
James Callaghan 1967 devaluation of sterling
personal misconduct examples (reason for resignation)
cash for honours
expenses
peterborough MP speeding inquiry
Nolan principles
selflessness integrity objectivity accountability openness honesty leadership
political pressure
pleb gate
2 police vs Andrew Mitchell
pressure for him to resign
minister unlikely to stay in their position if its attracting too much negative attention
resignation of David Blunkett 1st time
2004 requested fast track visa for nanny employed by former lover
resignation of David Blunkett 2nd time
accepted postion of DNA bioscience director without consulting Advisory committee on Business Appointments
prime ministerial government
prime minister dominant actor
power with the gov or cabinet
neither its shared
how did George Jones describe Prime ministerial power
elastic band
stretch to suit your way of leadership
stretch it too far it will snap (ministers will resign)
prime ministers 4 institutional powers
legal head of government
leadership of government
prime ministers office
setting political agenda
presidentialisation
idea that UK prime ministers have taken on some characteristics of the president
personalised leadership
expected to be dominant political personality
introduction of televised leaders’ debates in 2010 reinforced focus on party leaders
public outreach
leaders become public commodities
media spotlight falls on PM
expected to connect with the mood
spatial leadership
PM relies more on their own inner circle
Blair’s ‘sofa’ government
Camerons Quad
has the prime minister become more presidential (YES)
leadership has been personalised (impose personality)
increasing rely on close circle
PMs distanced themselves from rest of gov
appeal directly through media
has the prime minister become more presidential (NO)
directs rather than controls
senior ministers have own resources (departments)
PM needs support of ministers to achieve things
support for party not unconditional
what are the criticisms of the presidentialisation thesis
misrepresents nature of power within gov
under estimates PMs dependence on cabinet ministers
how many ministers are there in government
more than 100
secretary of state
gov minister in charge of major department
main roles performed by ministers
policy leadership
representing departmental interests
departmental management
relations with parliament
policy leadership (roles of ministers)
doesn’t have time to play part in detailed policy
important role in policy initiation
representing departmental interests (roles of ministers)
represent department in cabinet meeting
represent gov in council of european union
departmental management (roles of ministers)
set objectives
shape internal distribution of resources
relations with parliament (roles of ministers)
steer bills through
accountable to parliament
appear before select committees
government departments
main administrative units of the government
functions of government departments
policy advice to ministers
managing public spending
fostering relationships with pressure groups
policy implementation
treasury
controls public spending
attorney general’s office
legal advice to gov
civil servant
official employed by crown, responsible for policy advice/implementation
four principles involving civil servants
impartiality
anonymity
permanence
meritocracy
impartiality (civil servants)
serve crown not government
expected to be politically neutral
anonymity (civil servants)
should not be identified
give evidence under direction of minister
permanence (civil servants)
stay in post when change of gov
meritocracy (civil servants)
recruited through competitive exams+interviews
special advisor
temporary political appointment made by government minister
spin doctor
special adviser- promotes images of minister+policy in media
when was Harold Wilson in office
1964-70
1974-76
how did Harold Wilson appear
in tune with public opinion
what did Harold Wilson’s labour government do
increase social welfare spending
reformed education
introduced liberal social reforms
what damaged Wilson’s credibility
devalued the pound
example of social reform act under Wilson’s 60s gov
Divorce reform act 1969
couples who have been seperated for 2 years could get a divorce without fault being established
Three social landmark private members’ bills
abolition of death penalty
decriminalised sex between men in private
legalised abortion up to 24 weeks
what allowed the social reforms to take place
government backing
labours large parliamentary majority
why did labour party management become increasingly difficult for Wilson
far left wanted extension of public ownership
only steel was renationalised
difficulties in Harold Wilsons 1974-76 government
minority gov
referendum on EEC over party division
economy badly performing
when did Harold Wilson suspend collective responsibility
EEC campaign
5 ministers campaigned to leave
example from thatchers privatisation programme
sales of shares in british gas and british airways
Thatchers relationship with cabinet
made less use of it
kept somes issues away from them, used her advisors more
what helped Thatcher win the election in the following year
1982 Falklands war victory
economy recovery
what factors contributed to Thatchers downfall
unpopular policies (poll tax)
cabinet divisions
low opinion poll ratings
poll tax (community charge)
council tax per person (e.g 4 people in one house all 4 had to pay)
why was the poll tax a disaster
was regressive
took a higher % from poor than rich
many people refused to pay
where did the root problem of the poll tax lie?
within gov
not enough checks and balances
warnings by treasury weren’t given proper consideration
how did Blair prefer to conduct his business
bilateral meetings rather than cabinet
what did Blair’s third way involve
combine free market economics with social justice
Blair’s constitutional reforms
devolution
house of lords
supreme court
HRA
invasion of Iraq
supported george W. Bush, sent UK forces into Iraq to remove weapons of mass destruction
2016 chilcot report
other policy options were’t explored (iraq)
Blair disregarded warnings about intelligence
highlighted the need for collective ministerial discussion
the coalition government was a constraint on David Camerons power (YES)
cameron couldn’t dismiss or reshuffle lib dem cabinet ministers
lib dems resisted deviation from policies set out in original agreement
needed collective style of gov
have to manage tensions between the two parties
the coalition agreement was a constraint on David Cameron’s power (NO)
PM still had patronage powers
PM determines overall policy direction
key issues decided by the ‘quad’
healthy parliamentary majority proved stable
Cameron gave ministers more independence, how did this backfire?
reorganisation of NHS Andrew Lansley- too radical
problems weren’t spotted
which of Camerons main initiatives did conservatives not back
same sex marriage
how many conservative MPs backed Theresa May in the second ballot of the leadership election
199 (61%)
what were the limits on Theresa May’s power
damaged by calling early election
divisions in party over her policy+leadership
brexit
decline in popularity in opinion polls
