The Executive UK Flashcards
Sources of Power
Convention rather than statute.
Party Leader: Brings support in the commons because they guaranteed to have most of their policy initiatives passed.
PM does not have the constitutional authority of the President as PM is not directly elected by voters.
A governing party can replace PM without consulting voters eg conservatives Theresa May.
Popular Mandate: PM can claim the support of the people in all they do because they have won the General Election.
The Power of Patronage
The PM’s power is assured through first among equals.
PM appoints cabinet, ministers, peers, permanent secretaries, the heads of the security services, the cars of royal commissions and responsibility for recommendations for honours.
Power - Commander-in-Chief
Commander-in-chief of the British Armed Forces is legally the sovereign, under constitutional practice the PM can declare war and has power over the deployment and disposition of British forces through Defence Council. PM can authorise, but not directly, the use of Britain’s nuclear weapons.
Power - Control of Government Business
The PM is at the centre of the organisation of the business of the government and supervises the flow of information, the circulation of government papers and appoints the Cabinet committees.
Power - Chief Policy Maker
PM ensure that the policies are brought forward. As the PM controls the agenda of the government they can dictate the entire government programme.
Power - National Security
The PM is alone responsible for matters of national security which never go before Cabinet.
Power - Control of the Cabinet
Cabinet meetings are under the direct control of the PM. Decides meeting agenda, order of issues to be discussed, who will speak, how long people will speak for etc.
