The origins, structure and powers of the core executive

Question 1

How is the prime minister chosen?

Answer 1

The monarch invites the leader of the party to form and lead the government, but convention requires they must summon the leader most able to command a majority in the HOC.

Question 2

What happens when an election in not clear-cut?
e.g when no party won a clear majority

Answer 2

The monarch must exercise some caution and abide by the convention

Question 3

Give an example of when no party won a clear majority

Answer 3

In 2017, when no party won an overall majority, Theresa May became Prime Minister. This is because even though she had lost her overall majority, she was the leader of the largest single party. She was offered the first chance to form a government

Question 4

How do prime ministers leave office (there are 3 ways)

Answer 4

1. They retire, can be because of health issues
2. They lose election and are forced out by voters
3. Pressure from parliamentary party that makes position untenable

Question 5

Who is part of the core executive?

Answer 5

PM, cabinet, Cabinet Office, cabinet committees, senior civil servants

Question 6

What are the key roles of the core executive?

Answer 6

Passing legislation, Making policy, Financing, Being the National first responder

Question 7

Describe the role of ‘Making Policy’

Answer 7

The executive’s role is to set political priorities and then decide upon policy at cabinet meetings or in cabinet committees. The civil service (administration) has the job of implementing these policies and running the state on a day-to-day basis.

Question 8

Describe the role of ‘Passing Legislation’

Answer 8

Parliament must pass all laws, but before that happens the major acts must be discussed and approved at cabinet level and then sent to parliament for debate and final decision. Most of the time it’s straightforward due to the PM’s majority in the HOC but on occasion, ie Brexit, can be more problematic

Question 9

Describe the role of ‘Financing’

Answer 9

key role of the executive, in particular the Chancellor and the Treasury, is to make decisions on taxation and government spending- normally announced in the annual budget

Question 10

Describe the role of ‘Being the first responder’

Answer 10

In times of national emergency such as war, terrorist or the Covid pandemic, the executive is required to act quickly and efficiently to put emergency measures in place to handle threat in the best way possible and to reassure the public and call fears. Many of these situations require swift and crucial cooperation between departments and ministers

Question 11

Name 3/6 powers that the executive has that was once appointed to the monarch

Answer 11

1. the appointment and dismissal of ministers by the PM, and other patronage powers
2. the deployment of UK armed forced overseas
3. relations with international powers and international diplomacy
4. making and ratifying treaties
5. the organization and structure of the civil service
6. issuing directives and statements during national crisis and emergencies

Question 12

Arbitrary government

Answer 12

a characteristic of dictatorships and authoritarian governments, not liberal democracies

Question 13

How does a government avoid becoming an arbitrary government?

Answer 13

all policy statements and executive decisions have to be lawful and covered by legislation

Question 14

Give 2 reasons on why the prerogative powers of the executive are significant?

Answer 14

1. Deploy the armed forces overseas is clearly important, uk governments are not formally required to seek parliamentary approval
2. Prime ministers enjoy unlimited choice over who joins and leaves gov.
3. In times of national crisis, pm and the executive deliver broadcasts, speeches and messages via social media to inform and assure the public
4. The executive plays a crucial role role in negotiating treaties in areas such as trade and defence

Question 15

What makes the prerogative powers of the executive less significant?

Answer 15

1. by convention, all recent military action overseas has been put before a vote in the Commons
2. The executive and the pm must rely on parliament to pass legislation, e.g anti-terror legislation
3. Pm are constrained in their choice of ministers, they must appoint a cabinet that has some diversity in background but also includes individuals from a broad spectrum of the governing party.
4. Limited- Supreme Court during Brexit forced PM to submit any deal before the parliament