Prime minister and the executive Flashcards
1
Q
cabinet
A
senior ministers
decision making body of gov
2
Q
role of the executive
A
make policy decisions
propose legislation
propose a budget
3
Q
making policy decisions
A
day to day + overall policy
administrative exec implements it
4
Q
proposing a budget
A
key decisions on economic policy
chancellor sets out levels of taxation and public spending
5
Q
powers of the executive
A
prerogative powers
control of legislative agenda
powers of secondary legislation
6
Q
prerogative powers
A
dont require parliamentary approval
e.g making treaties,organisation of civil service+granting of pardons
7
Q
a prerogative power that has been limited by convention
A
votes on whether to deploy armed forces overseas
8
Q
how have the PMs power been limited in terms of dissolving a government
A
can’t ask monarch anymore
have to agreed by 2/3 parliament
^result of fixed term parliament act 2011
9
Q
votes on the motion of an early genera election 2017
A
522 to 13
10
Q
who are most bills proposed by
A
government
11
Q
secondary legislation
A
allows provisions of an act to be bought into force/amended without a further act
12
Q
example of a statutory instrument
A
when parts of an act come into force
13
Q
key roles of the prime minister (7)
A
leadership (political+national) appointing gov chairing cabinet managing exec prerogative power managing relations wi parliament representing UK in international affairs
14
Q
what is the convention about where the PM should come from
A
commons rather than lords bc it’s the dominant house
15
Q
3 requirements to become PM
A
leader of party
be a MP
party they lead usually has majority
16
Q
prime ministers office
A
190 people civil servants+special advisors
17
Q
two main areas of work in the PMs office
A
policy advice
communications
18
Q
policy advice
A
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
19
Q
communications
A
grown due to intensification of media
present gov policy
20
Q
resources available to the prime minister
A
patronage authority in cabinet policy making input party leadership public standing
21
Q
patronage
A
power to appoint individual to a position
22
Q
PM and life peers
A
PM can appoint life peers to lords
makes political nominations
enables PM to alter party balance in lords
23
Q
who gives recommends life peers on non party appointments
A
appointments commission
24
Q
cash for honours
A
inquiry into allegations that donors of lab party rewarded with peerages
no criminal charges
25
what was the result of the cash for honour scandal ending in 2007
honours committee's set up restricts PMs role
26
what other areas besides honours has the PMs power been limited
now have no role in judicial appointments
27
how did the coalition gov limit Cameron's power to appoint MPs
had to appoint 5 lib dem to cabinet
28
informal restraints on PMs power when appointing ministers
won't overlook senior ministers (even if there rivals)
29
cabinet reshuffle
series of changes to people in cabinet
30
what does cabinet reshuffle allow the PM to do
promote successful ministers
| demote those not performing
31
what are the dangers with wrong reshuffle's of cabinet
reveal cabinet division
highlight policy questions
question PMs judgement
32
give an example of how a cabinet reshuffle has backfired
thatcher demoting foreign secretary of sir geoffrey howe 1989-triggered thatchers downfall
33
PMs authority within the core executive
chair cabinet meetings
managing agenda of cabinet meetinfs
organise structure of government
34
how is authority weakened in cabinet
if PM is too domineering or indecisive
35
example of a cabinet committee
economy and industrial strategy committee
36
how does PM control the agenda of cabinet meetings
control info presented
| keeping difficult issues off the agenda
37
bilateral meeting
between pm and a departmental minister
38
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)
39
what did the 2003 invasion of Iraq do to Blair
undermined his position
| made people question his judgement
40
why can the PM not always rely on party support
backbench rebellions (con MPs about Lords reform)
41
why is the sudden removal of a Prime minister unlikely
length and cost of leadership election
42
public standing
PM has high profile
| Thacther+Blair strong relations with US
43
Patronage gives the PM power (YES)
appoint+dismiss
| allies in key roles
44
Patronage gives the PM power (NO)
colleagues may have claims to posts
restricted by desire for ideological balance
botched reshuffles=problems
limited choice
45
Authority in cabinet brings PM power (YES)
manages meetings+minister chairs
steer discussion
use bilateral meetings
46
Authority in cabinet brings PM power (NO)
problems arise people feel ignored
challenges to PM
PM not involved in detailed policy
47
Party leadership brings PM power (YES)
been elected so has legitimacy
| normally has majority in commons
48
Party leadership brings PM power (NO)
support is not unconditional
allow leadership challenge
backbench rebel increase
49
how does public satisfaction benefit the PM
strengthens their decision
| one seen as strong and effective has greater authority
50
who does the cabinet consist of
senior ministers
51
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
52
most important departments
treasury, foreign office and home office
53
how many cabinet meetings are there per week
1 last roughly an hour
54
cabinet comittees
sub-committees of the cabinet appointed by the prime minister
55
cabinet office
provides support for the cabinet created in 1916
56
cabinet secretariat
regulates+coordinates cabinet business
57
what two documents set out the role and function of cabinet
ministerial code
| cabinet manual
58
functions of the cabinet (system)
make decisions on major issues
receive reports on key developments
settling disputes between government departments
59
what is the main business of the cabinet concerning
questions that engage collective responsibility
| unresolved dispute between government departments
60
why is cabinet ability to decide policy constrained
infrequency of meetings
size
detailed nature of policy
61
how has cabinet changed since the 1960s-70s
shorter discussions before reaching a decision
| done with small informal groups
62
what reports are heard in the cabinet
parliamentary business (outlines following weeks business)
economic and home affairs
foreign affairs
63
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
64
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
65
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
66
collective responsibility
principle that minsters must support cabinet decisions or resign from government
67
three main elements of collective responsibility
secrecy
binding decisions
confidence vote
68
secrecy
ministers keep cabinet convos a secret ensuring sensitive info isn't leaked to the public
69
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
70
confidence vote
gov must resign if they lose vote of confidence
| last happened 1979
71
give 3 examples of resignations over collective responsibility
John Redwood 1995
Robin Cook 2003
Norman Barker 2014
72
why did john redwood resign
launched leadership challenge
73
why did Robin cook resign
opposed invasion in iraq
74
why did norman barker resign
opposed policy on home affairs
75
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
76
coalition collective responsibility in AV referendum
suspended cons and lib dems voted differently
77
how many cabinet ministers campaigned to leave the EU despite government stance to be supporting EU membership
5
78
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
79
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
80
free votes
granted on issues of conscience
| Cameron allowed free vote on Marriage Bill 2013
81
in what three ways has collective responsibility come under strain
leaks
dissent and non resignation
prime ministerial dominance
82
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
83
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
84
prime ministerial dominance
complaints that blair didn't consult cabinet enough
85
individual ministerial responsibility
ministers are responsible to parliament for their personal conduct
86
when are ministers not obliged to resign
if failings are traceable to civil servant but are constitutionally responsible for telling parliament about department actions
87
what does the ministerial code state
must give 'accurate and truthful information to
parliament'
those who don't 'expected to offer resignation'
88
Why did Berverley Hughs resign in 2004
admitted to giving parliament 'misleading impression' on checks on migrants from eastern europe
89
who are responsible for day to day matters
officials not ministers
90
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
91
4 reasons that ministers resign
mistakes made in department
policy failure
personal misconduct
political pressure
92
mistakes made in department example (reason for resignation)
Sir Thomas Douglas 1954 mistakes by civil servants om Crichel Down case
93
policy failure example (reason for resignation)
James Callaghan 1967 devaluation of sterling
94
personal misconduct examples (reason for resignation)
cash for honours
expenses
peterborough MP speeding inquiry
95
Nolan principles
```
selflessness
integrity
objectivity
accountability
openness
honesty
leadership
```
96
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
97
resignation of David Blunkett 1st time
2004 requested fast track visa for nanny employed by former lover
98
resignation of David Blunkett 2nd time
accepted postion of DNA bioscience director without consulting Advisory committee on Business Appointments
99
prime ministerial government
prime minister dominant actor
100
power with the gov or cabinet
neither its shared
101
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)
102
prime ministers 4 institutional powers
legal head of government
leadership of government
prime ministers office
setting political agenda
103
presidentialisation
idea that UK prime ministers have taken on some characteristics of the president
104
personalised leadership
expected to be dominant political personality
| introduction of televised leaders' debates in 2010 reinforced focus on party leaders
105
public outreach
leaders become public commodities
media spotlight falls on PM
expected to connect with the mood
106
spatial leadership
PM relies more on their own inner circle
Blair's 'sofa' government
Camerons Quad
107
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
108
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
109
what are the criticisms of the presidentialisation thesis
misrepresents nature of power within gov
| under estimates PMs dependence on cabinet ministers
110
how many ministers are there in government
more than 100
111
secretary of state
gov minister in charge of major department
112
main roles performed by ministers
policy leadership
representing departmental interests
departmental management
relations with parliament
113
policy leadership (roles of ministers)
doesn't have time to play part in detailed policy
| important role in policy initiation
114
representing departmental interests (roles of ministers)
represent department in cabinet meeting
| represent gov in council of european union
115
departmental management (roles of ministers)
set objectives
| shape internal distribution of resources
116
relations with parliament (roles of ministers)
steer bills through
accountable to parliament
appear before select committees
117
government departments
main administrative units of the government
118
functions of government departments
policy advice to ministers
managing public spending
fostering relationships with pressure groups
policy implementation
119
treasury
controls public spending
120
attorney general's office
legal advice to gov
121
civil servant
official employed by crown, responsible for policy advice/implementation
122
four principles involving civil servants
impartiality
anonymity
permanence
meritocracy
123
impartiality (civil servants)
serve crown not government
| expected to be politically neutral
124
anonymity (civil servants)
should not be identified
| give evidence under direction of minister
125
permanence (civil servants)
stay in post when change of gov
126
meritocracy (civil servants)
recruited through competitive exams+interviews
127
special advisor
temporary political appointment made by government minister
128
spin doctor
special adviser- promotes images of minister+policy in media
129
when was Harold Wilson in office
1964-70
| 1974-76
130
how did Harold Wilson appear
in tune with public opinion
131
what did Harold Wilson's labour government do
increase social welfare spending
reformed education
introduced liberal social reforms
132
what damaged Wilson's credibility
devalued the pound
133
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
134
Three social landmark private members' bills
abolition of death penalty
decriminalised sex between men in private
legalised abortion up to 24 weeks
135
what allowed the social reforms to take place
government backing
| labours large parliamentary majority
136
why did labour party management become increasingly difficult for Wilson
far left wanted extension of public ownership
| only steel was renationalised
137
difficulties in Harold Wilsons 1974-76 government
minority gov
referendum on EEC over party division
economy badly performing
138
when did Harold Wilson suspend collective responsibility
EEC campaign
| 5 ministers campaigned to leave
139
example from thatchers privatisation programme
sales of shares in british gas and british airways
140
Thatchers relationship with cabinet
made less use of it
| kept somes issues away from them, used her advisors more
141
what helped Thatcher win the election in the following year
1982 Falklands war victory
| economy recovery
142
what factors contributed to Thatchers downfall
unpopular policies (poll tax)
cabinet divisions
low opinion poll ratings
143
poll tax (community charge)
council tax per person (e.g 4 people in one house all 4 had to pay)
144
why was the poll tax a disaster
was regressive
took a higher % from poor than rich
many people refused to pay
145
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
146
how did Blair prefer to conduct his business
bilateral meetings rather than cabinet
147
what did Blair's third way involve
combine free market economics with social justice
148
Blair's constitutional reforms
devolution
house of lords
supreme court
HRA
149
invasion of Iraq
supported george W. Bush, sent UK forces into Iraq to remove weapons of mass destruction
150
2016 chilcot report
other policy options were't explored (iraq)
Blair disregarded warnings about intelligence
highlighted the need for collective ministerial discussion
151
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
152
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
153
Cameron gave ministers more independence, how did this backfire?
reorganisation of NHS Andrew Lansley- too radical
| problems weren't spotted
154
which of Camerons main initiatives did conservatives not back
same sex marriage
155
how many conservative MPs backed Theresa May in the second ballot of the leadership election
199 (61%)
156
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
