Prime Minister and the Executive - Topic 3.1 Flashcards
The structure, role and powers of the Executive
What makes up the UK Executive and what is the role of the Executive?
The PM, the Cabinet, junior ministers and the government departments make up the executive; this branch does the day-to-day running of the nation. The Executive propose legislation, propose the budget and decide on policy, and with that the constraints of the nation, including the budget, the law, the public’s opinion and the party’s manifesto.
From where does the Government get its power from?
The power of the government was given to the PM by the monarch, and therefore the PM has royal prerogative as the PM leads the government that is in the monarch’s name, on their behalf. The PM also have devolved royal prerogative to the Cabinet.
The PM should be of the Commons and be able to command the majority of Parliament to lead effectively.
What is the role of the Cabinet
And with them, junior ministers
Cabinet ministers control of each department of government, with them a team of civil service and junior ministers. Each ministerial team in each department in the PM’s Cabinet makes proposals for legislation concering their department, as well as amending previously passed legislation (secondary legislation).
Ministerial teams are bound by ministerial responsibilty and the civil service are party neutral, as well as anonymous. The civil service are not held accountable for each department’s actions as it is the secretary of state and their junior ministers decision on how the department is run.
