The PM and Cabinet

Question 1

What power does the PM have over Cabinet? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 1

The PM appoints and dismisses Cabinet ministers, with the PM chairing all meetings and dictating its agenda.

Question 2

What is Cabinet’s function? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 2

The Cabinet approves all policy before it becomes official, helps make decisions during crises, discusses the presentation of policy, provides an opportunity for debate and disagreement on policy, decides on what business goes through Parliament.

Question 3

Who are 2 notable resignations from Boris Johnson’s Cabinets? What circumstances were these in? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 3

Sajid Javid (2020) after he was told to sack his whole team to remain in his position as Chancellor.
Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid (2022) after feeling as though standards in Johnson’s Cabinet were no longer matching those that should be adopted in public office.

Question 4

What 3 examples of forced resignations are there from Theresa May’s Cabinet? What circumstances were these in? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 4

Damian Green was forced to resign due to sexual harassment allegations and lying about having pornography on his work PC. Amber Rudd resigned as Home Secretary due to her mishandling of the Windrush Scandal. Priti Patel resigned due to conducting unsanctioned meetings with the Israeli Government.

Question 5

Are decisions made inside or outside of Cabinet? How are policies made by the executive? (3) - PM and Cabinet

Answer 5

Decisions tend to be made outside of cabinet before being approved within it. Made by the PM in conjunction with advisers, think tanks and civil servants; made by cabinet committees of senior ministers; made by individual ministers with PM’s approval.

Question 6

What are the powers of the PM over the executive? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 6

The PM leads the government, can appoint and dismiss all ministers, chairs cabinet and controls its agenda.

Question 7

What are the powers of a Cabinet over the PM? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 7

The Cabinet can remove a PM from power, as happened with Johnson, Thatcher and Blair, as well as force policy changes by enough Cabinet members refusing to support a decision.

Question 8

How many senior ministers quit Johnson’s government over the course of his premiership? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 8

From 2019 to 2022, 46 Ministers quit Johnson’s government. 28 of these occurred over 3 days in 2022.

Question 9

What is the ‘Doctor’s Mandate’? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 9

The ‘doctor’s mandate’ is the idea that a government is entitled to introduce emergency legislation for unforeseen circumstances even if it wasn’t in a manifesto due to being given the consent of the people.

Question 10

How does the executive fulfil its role of proposing legislation? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 10

The Cabinet announces its legislation proposals in the Queen’s Speech annually. This will mainly be drawn from its manifesto and have a mandate to be fulfilled. It will then be legislated for by departments and put through Parliament.

Question 11

How does the executive fulfil its role of proposing a budget? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 11

The Chancellor and the Treasury annually produce a budget, announcing the distribution of public funds and any changes to taxes.

Question 12

How does the Executive fulfil its role of initiating primary legislation? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 12

The Government can dictate the majority of Parliamentary business, due to its democratic mandate. The Government uses its probable majority to win votes and pass legislation through whipping and patronage.

Question 13

How does the Cabinet fulfil its role of proposing secondary legislation? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 13

The Cabinet can amend current acts of Parliament using statutory instruments as a result of powers granted by previous acts of Parliament.

Question 14

What contemporary examples are there of Cabinet proposing legislation? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 14

The Cabinet has proposed legislation relating to Brexit such as the points-based immigration system, policies and legislation to deal with boats crossing the channel and also Coronavirus legislation such as the Coronavirus Act.

Question 15

What contemporary example is there of Cabinet proposing a budget? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 15

The 2023 budget pledged to expand childcare provision in order to grow the economy, measures to reduce the rate of inflation, such as a delay in the rise in fuel duty and the extension of the energy price guarantee.

Question 16

What recent examples of Cabinet policy decisions have there been? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 16

The Sunak government has set out 5 promises, including halving inflation, tackling boats crossing the channel, cutting waiting lists in the NHS and growing the economy.

Question 17

What recent example from Theresa May’s government has there been of proposing secondary legislation? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 17

Theresa May utilised Statutory Instruments to allow fracking in National Parks and to remove university maintenance grants.

Question 18

What impact can the power of patronage by a PM have? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 18

Patronage by the PM into ministerial roles or other powerful positions can promote party loyalty as junior politicians may be motivated by promotions into these powerful roles. They therefore behave loyally towards their party and their leader.

Question 19

How can the PM’s role as the national leader influence their power over Cabinet? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 19

Due to their role as a national figurehead, the PM receives much larger media coverage than other Cabinet members, meaning that their significance is increased.

Question 20

What example is there of Margaret Thatcher going against the wishes of her Cabinet to great success? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 20

Thatcher went against the wishes of her Cabinet in participating in the 1982 Falklands War, which the UK won and brought considerable positivity about her own leadership.

Question 21

What example is there of Boris Johnson forcing troublesome ministers from his Cabinet? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 21

Johnson forced Sajid Javid (Chancellor) to sack his whole team and have them replaced by one of Johnson’s choosing or be sacked, following the perceived threat that Javid posed to Johnson’s power.

Question 22

How can Cabinet’s role of approving the policies of the Executive influence its power over a PM? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 22

It is necessary for a Cabinet to support the policies and plans of a PM in order for them to be legitimate, meaning that if a Cabinet refuses to support the policies and decisions of a PM, it is incredibly difficult for them to pass.

Question 23

How can party unity and a PM’s popularity influence the balance of power between the PM and Cabinet respectively? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 23

If a party is united behind a leader, it can become very easy for that PM to dominate policy and decision making, with Cabinet merely approving policy (the opposite is true for not being united).
If a PM is popular, they may also be able to force decisions through Cabinet, citing their public approval (the opposite is true for being unpopular).

Question 24

How can the size of majority and a PM’s personality/leadership influence the balance of power between the PM and Cabinet respectively? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 24

With a large Commons majority, a PM can afford to have dissent within Cabinet as it is likely they will not have policy defeated (the opposite is true for a small majority).
With an approved leadership style, this can promote cohesion and ease of approving policy, whilst any conflict in Cabinet can disrupt Executive actions.

Question 25

What happens to Cabinet proceedings with regards to publication? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 25

Cabinet proceedings are kept secret, with any contents of these meetings not made public for at least 30 years.

Question 26

Which PMs worked closely with Cabinet? Why? Which PMs marginalised Cabinet? Why? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 26

Cabinet was worked closely with by Major, Cameron and Wilson, with this partially down to their weak Commons majorities. Cabinet was marginalised by Thatcher and Blair, with this largely down to their leadership styles and their huge majorities in the Commons.

Question 27

What are Cabinet Committees? What is their role? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 27

Cabinet Committees are smaller sub-committees of Cabinet and Junior ministers which are chaired by the PM or Senior Ministers. These formulate detailed policies and present them back to Cabinet.

Question 28

What are the 4 main roles of Cabinet? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 28

Cabinet’s 4 main roles are to legitimise policy, discuss the agenda dictated by the PM, withdraw support for policies presented and overrule the PM on policy.

Question 29

Why did the importance of the Cabinet increase during the 2010-15 Coalition period? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 29

Cabinet was required to show cross-party support for proposals, with this vital to legislation. It contained ministers from both parties and therefore was not subjected to CMR.

Question 30

How can a PM ensure loyalty when selecting their Cabinet? Who has adopted this approach? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 30

A PM can ensure loyalty within Cabinet by appointing their supporters into senior positions to support their policies. This has been seen through Thatcher (Neo-Liberal) Blair (Third Way) and Johnson (Pro-Brexit).

Question 31

How can a PM ensure balanced decision making among their Cabinet when selecting it? Who has adopted this approach? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 31

A PM can appoint individuals such as supporters and enemies to satisfy all party factions. This shows a broad range of opinion. This can be seen through Harold Wilson in the 1970s, Sunak appointing ministers from moderate and far right wings of the Conservative the Coalition and Theresa May’s government containing Remain and Leave supporters.

Question 32

What example was there of a forced resignation in Liz Truss’ cabinet? - PM and Cabinet

Answer 32

Stella Braverman was forced to resign as Home Secretary after an email sent by her which breached national security measures. She was later reinstated a week later by Rishi Sunak upon him becoming Prime Minister.