Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Politics - The Government Of The UK > The PM and the Cabinet > Flashcards

The PM and the Cabinet Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary role of the core executive in the UK?

A

To set political priorities and decide upon policy

This involves discussions at cabinet meetings or in cabinet committees.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Who is responsible for implementing policies in the UK executive?

A

The civil service

The civil service runs the state on a day-to-day basis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the process for passing legislation in the UK?

A

Major acts are first discussed and approved at cabinet level, then sent to parliament for debate and final decision

This process is typically straightforward if the prime minister’s party has a Commons majority.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is a key role of the Chancellor and the Treasury in the UK executive?

A

Making decisions on taxation and government spending

These decisions are usually announced in the annual budget.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What forum is used for arbitration over government spending decisions in the UK?

A

Cabinet

The prime minister oversees the discussions and negotiations among different ministers and departments.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Fill in the blank: The core executive’s role includes _______ to set political priorities.

A

[making policy]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

True or False: Parliament must pass all laws in the UK, but major acts are discussed first at cabinet level.

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Fill in the blank: The civil service has the job of _______ policies and running the state on a day-to-day basis.

A

[implementing]

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What event showcased the complexities of passing legislation in the UK?

A

Brexit

The process became problematic and protracted during this time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the role of the executive in times of national emergency?

A

To quickly and efficiently implement emergency measures and reassure the public

This includes cooperation between various departments such as health, police, armed forces, and education during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are some key powers of the executive derived from the royal prerogative?

A
  • Appointment and dismissal of ministers by the prime minister
  • Deployment of UK armed forces overseas
  • Relations with international powers and diplomacy
  • Making and ratifying treaties
  • Organisation and structure of the civil service
  • Issuing directives during national crises

These powers were once held by the monarch and are now exercised by the government.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is required for all policy statements and executive decisions?

A

They must be lawful and covered by legislation

This is to avoid arbitrary government, which is characteristic of dictatorships and authoritarian regimes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

True or False: The executive can act without parliamentary approval in times of crisis.

A

False

For executive decisions during crises to have legal force, they must be supported by legislation passed by parliament.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Fill in the blank: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Johnson instructed people to ‘stay at _______’ except for a few exceptions.

A

home

This instruction was part of the government’s response to control the spread of the virus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What was necessary for the guidelines issued during the COVID-19 pandemic to enforce penalties?

A

Parliament had to pass the Coronavirus Act 2020

This act provided the legal framework for the enforcement of the lockdown guidelines.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What does the executive’s ability to control the parliamentary timetable affect?

A

Its legislative agenda

This control allows the executive to prioritize certain policies and decisions in parliament.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is an example of a national crisis that required cooperation between multiple government departments?

A

The COVID-19 pandemic

Departments involved included health, armed forces, education, and social security.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is a frequent criticism of the prime minister’s leadership style?

A

The prime minister has become more presidential in leadership style

This criticism suggests a shift towards a more autocratic and dominating figure over the cabinet.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What has the role of the cabinet been accused of becoming?

A

A powerless, compliant body full of ‘yes men and women’

Critics argue that the traditional model of cabinet government has ceased to exist.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Which two administrations have most frequently been accused of presidentialism?

A

Margaret Thatcher (1979-90) and Tony Blair (1997-2007)

These administrations faced significant criticism for their leadership styles.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What did Mo Mowlam express about the cabinet in a 2002 documentary?

A

‘Cabinet itself is dead, it doesn’t have a function to play’

This statement reflects the sentiment of a lack of meaningful function in the cabinet during Blair’s government.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What was the term used to describe the informal discussions preferred by Blair’s government?

A

‘Sofa government’

This term indicates a preference for informal chats involving a few ministers over full cabinet discussions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How was Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet style characterized?

A

Intolerant and overbearing

Critics depicted her cabinet as being divided between dissenters (‘wets’) and supporters (‘dries’).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Fill in the blank: The cabinet was often depicted as being comprised of ‘wets’ and _______.

A

‘dries’

‘Wets’ referred to dissenters, while ‘dries’ referred to supporters with real influence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

True or False: The traditional model of cabinet government is still in practice according to critics.

A

False

Critics argue that the traditional model has transformed into a more autocratic style.

26
Q

What is the informal name given to the four leading figures in the 2010-15 coalition government?

A

The Quad

The Quad consisted of Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Chancellor George Osborne, and Danny Alexander.

27
Q

What phenomenon describes the concentration of power among a small inner circle of advisers in a government?

A

Spatial leadership

Spatial leadership creates a sense of distance between the prime minister and the rest of their government and party.

28
Q

What term is used to refer to the smaller group of confidants that a prime minister relies on?

A

Kitchen or inner cabinet

This group includes a small inner circle of advisers who have significant influence over the prime minister.

29
Q

What is the role of special advisers, or SpAds, in a government?

A

Policy advisers

SpAds are political and personal appointments made by prime ministers, differing from permanent civil servants.

30
Q

Who appointed the first special advisers in the UK government?

A

Harold Wilson

The first SpAds were appointed by Wilson in the 1960s, and their role has increased in importance since then.

31
Q

True or False: Special advisers are permanent civil servants.

A

False

SpAds are political appointments made by prime ministers, not permanent civil servants.

32
Q

Who was known for the phrase ‘We don’t do God’ during an interview with Tony Blair?

A

Alastair Campbell

Alastair Campbell was Blair’s chief of staff and press secretary.

33
Q

Name two principal special advisers to Theresa May.

A

Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill

They served as principal special advisers during May’s tenure.

34
Q

Who was the chief strategic adviser to Boris Johnson?

A

Sir Eddie Lister

Sir Eddie Lister worked with Johnson when he was the Mayor of London.

35
Q

Fill in the blank: The number of special advisers appointed to Boris Johnson’s government was ______.

A

108

This was an increase compared to the 99 special advisers appointed under Theresa May.

36
Q

What did Dominic Cummings appeal for in his blog in January 2020?

A

Weirdos and misfits with odd skills

He also requested applications from those with more routine skills, like data scientists and software developers.

37
Q

What is the full name of the director of No. 10’s Policy Unit under Boris Johnson?

A

Munira Mirza

Munira Mirza had previously served as Johnson’s deputy mayor for education and culture.

38
Q

What criticism did Clare Short make regarding SpAds in her resignation speech?

A

She stated that problems in Labour’s second term were partly due to the centralisation of power into the hands of the prime minister and a small number of advisers making decisions privately.

Clare Short’s resignation speech in 2003 highlighted issues of decision-making within the Labour Party.

39
Q

What event contributed to the perception of Cummings as a powerful influence on the prime minister?

A

His 260-mile trip to Durham during the first national COVID-19 lockdown and his explanation that failed to convince many of his responsible actions.

This incident sparked significant public and political criticism.

40
Q

What does the trend in prime ministerial power accumulation suggest?

A

It suggests a tendency towards presidentialism, particularly during the Thatcher, Blair, and Johnson governments, but this view can be misleading.

The perception of presidentialism may not account for the complexities of parliamentary dynamics.

41
Q

What challenges did Theresa May face regarding her Brexit deal?

A

She suffered two crushing defeats in January and March 2019 and faced resignations from key cabinet ministers, including David Davis and Boris Johnson.

May’s leadership was weakened due to her party’s divisions and lack of a Commons majority.

42
Q

How did Thatcher and Blair’s leadership styles affect their tenure?

A

Both were effectively forced out of office due to criticism and divides within their party, stemming from controversial policies.

Thatcher faced backlash over the poll tax, while Blair dealt with criticism related to the Iraq War.

43
Q

What observation did Enoch Powell make regarding political careers?

A

He noted that all political lives, unless cut off in midstream, end in failure due to the nature of politics and human affairs.

This perspective reflects the challenges and eventual downfalls faced by political leaders.

44
Q

What can influence a prime minister’s decision to rely on special advisers?

A

Frustration with the civil service’s routines and procedures, which some prime ministers feel are too cumbersome.

This reliance may stem from a desire for more agile decision-making.

45
Q

Fill in the blank: The departure of _______ in November 2020 confirmed perceptions of excessive influence on the prime minister.

A

Cummings

His departure was seen as a pivotal moment in understanding the dynamics of power within the government.

46
Q

True or False: Loyalty from backbenchers is guaranteed for prime ministers.

A

False

Loyalty is always conditional and can quickly change based on political circumstances.

47
Q

How has the role of prime minister changed in recent times?

A

Greatly changed

48
Q

Which recent prime ministers have been accused of running a more presidential style of leadership?

A

Thatcher and Blair

49
Q

What is a notable change in decision-making among recent prime ministers?

A

Bypassing full cabinet meetings for smaller gatherings

50
Q

What has grown in use at the expense of seeking policy advice from the civil service?

A

SpAds (Special Advisers)

51
Q

What cultural developments have shifted focus towards individual personalities in politics?

A

Social media and celebrity culture

52
Q

What significant political event has been televised since 2010?

A

Leaders debates during general election campaigns

53
Q

What has increased media scrutiny led prime ministers to do?

A

Focus on popular media and appear on ‘soft format’ TV chat shows

54
Q

Have there been formal changes in the powers available to prime ministers in recent times?

A

No, there have been no formal changes

55
Q

What prerogative powers do twenty-first-century premiers possess?

A

The same as their predecessors

56
Q

Which prime ministers’ premierships should be assessed alongside those of Thatcher and Blair?

A

John Major, Theresa May, and David Cameron

57
Q

What is likely exaggerated regarding the influence on prime ministers?

A

The influence of SpAds

58
Q

What traditional sources of policy advice should not be overlooked?

A

Fellow ministers and the civil service

59
Q

Who provided powerful advice during the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic?

A

Medical experts like Professor Chris Whitty

60
Q

What image do prime ministers often want to portray regarding their leadership style?

A

Collegiate and collaborative

61
Q

During the COVID-19 emergency, who often appeared with Boris Johnson at media briefings?

A

Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance

62
Q

Fill in the blank: The development of _______ and celebrity culture has resulted in a growing focus on the personality of individuals.

A

social media

Politics - The Government Of The UK (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions