The Powers Of The Core Executive

Question 1

What is the core executive

Answer 1

-the PM, cabinet, civil servants, cabinet committees + cabinet office
-emph’s network nature of where + how policy is made with each component having own resources + levels of power + all being interdependent
-many parts are political + reflect party in power
-civil service politically neutral + senior figures normally remain in post when govt changes

Question 2

What is the structure of the core executive

Answer 2

Treasury <———> PM <———> cabinet office
| Cabinet
| |
| Cabinet
| committees
| |
| department
department <——————————> department

Question 3

What are the key roles of the core executive: making policy

Answer 3

-making policy — split between cabinet meetings + committees deciding upon policy + then administrative civil service implement them e.g. Scotland act 1998 created set govt

Question 4

What are the key roles of the executive: passing legislation

Answer 4

-laws for major statutes first discussed + approved at cabinet level + sent to parl for debate + final discussion but problematic due to Brexit
-e.g. govt bill like HR act 1998 set out fundamental rights + freedoms of all

Question 5

What is the key role for financing

Answer 5

-must make decisions on taxation + govt spending that normally announced in annual budget - key focus of chancellor + treasury
-e.g. mini budget sept 2022 as part of growth plan - abolish 45% additional rate of income tax with affect from April 2023

Question 6

What is the key role of being national first responder

Answer 6

-times national emergency like war, terrorist attacks - executive put together emergency powers to deal with it efficiently + effectively
-e.g. COVID - must be calm + reassure public + create measures deal with it that work e.g. face masks + social distancing

Question 7

What are the main powers of the executive: appointment + dismissal of ministers (patronage powers)

Answer 7

-can promote loyal colleagues + supporters - making cabinet more likely support them strengthening administration
-e.g. PM control careers if minister ensuring loyalty like when Sunak appointed Cameron foreign sec 2023 without vote

Question 8

What is the power of deployment UK armed forces overseas

Answer 8

-can declare war + send troops
-doesn’t need consent of parl
-e.g. chamber Iain announced Br war with Ger 1939

Question 9

What is the power of organisation + structure of civil service

Answer 9

-e.g. most senior civil servant is permanent sec + don’t have legal personality of their own
-can make strategic decisions, advise on policy + empower others to deliver

Question 10

What is the significance of the Prerogative powers of the core executive

Answer 10

-opportunity deploy forces important + doesn’t need parl approval for actions or funding but by convention all military action must be put before parl + vote in commons e.g. Gulf war + Syria air strikes
-PM enjoy unlimited choice over who joins + leaves govt + can select ministers who lack democratic mandate but PMs constrained by choices e.g. ensuring diversity + full representation
-in times crisis executive can declare broadcasts + speeches via social to inform + reassure public e.g. COVID but must also rely on parl pass legislation in emergency e.g. COVID restriction laws