Structure of Central Govt. Flashcards
What is the government?
Government is elected to run the country
Neither the PM or Government are directly elected
Party with majority MPs form govt. and leader becomes PM
Govt. cannot make new laws/raise taxes without Parliament’s agreement
What are ministers?
Chosen by PM from members of Commons and Lords
Responsible for actions of their department
Secretaries of State are political heads of these departments
In each dept. there’s other ministers with particular roles e.g. Home Sec - Head of Policing
What conventions should a minister observe?
Collective responsibility: supporting the government line in public despite personal feelings – if they can’t support, they usually have to resign
Ministerial responsibility: taking responsibility for their own conduct and the performance of their department – may be forced to resign e.g., breaking social distancing rules
What are PM’s?
Leader of the party with the majority MPs, and can command the confidence in the House of Commons
Come into power following General Election, or if the party in power changes its leader
What powers does the PM have?
- Appointing Ministers of the Crown
- Chairs meetings of the cabinet at least once a week
- Appoints members of Cabinet committees
- Keeps sovereign informed of Government business
- Can declare war and authorise military action
- Recommends passage of bills for royal assent
Many of these powers are held by the King but exercised by the PM – arguably gives PM power to behave like a monarch
What issues can arise with this structure of government?
- Size or absence of majority in the House of Commons
- Disunity within the party
- Constraints on appointments and dismissals – need to reflect different sections of the party/coalition
- Success/failure of policies
- Effectiveness or otherwise of the opposition
- Attitude of the media
- Public pressure
- Events e.g., Covid, wars
- The law
