the Prime Minister Flashcards
What is the role of the PM?
the cabinet manual, describes the PM as the “Head of government”. But that precise role of the PM is x set out in statue law.
What are the key functions of the PM accepted to be?
political leadership, national leadership, appointing the government, chairing the cabinet, managing the executive, prerogative powers, managing relations with parliament.
Explain the role of political leadership?
PM decides the political direction taken by government, setting priorates and strategy. They determine policy on high-profile issues.
Explain the role of national leadership?
PM is the predominant political figure in UK and provides national leadership at times of crisis. Responsible for national security. PM also acts as a communicator in chief the government.
Explain the role of appointing the government?
PM determines the membership of the government by appointing and dismissing ministers.
Explain the role of chairing the cabinet?
PM chairs meetings of the cabinet, sets its agenda and steers its decision. He or she creates cabinet committees and holds bilateral meetings with ministers.
Explain the role of managing the executive?
PM is responsible for the overall organization of the government and is head of civil service.
Explain the role of prerogative powers?
PM exercises prerogative powers such as deploying the armed forces overseas and recommending some public appointments.
Explain the role of managing relations with parliament?
PM makes statements and answers questions in the HoC. He or she also shapes the government’s legislative programme.
How powerful is the PM?
Resources available to the PM are subject to important constraint and vary according to circumstance..
How does the patronage powers of the PM show his power?
PM has special powers of patronage. The most significant is the power to appoint government ministers. Other patronage powers include
life peers, the honours system, appointing cabinet ministers, cabinet reshuffles.
What is the life peers patronage power?
PM can appoint people to HoL as life peers. An independent appointments commission makes recommendations on non-party appointments to the lords, but the PM makes political commisions
What does the power to nominate life peers enables from the PM?
the party balance w the Lords. Blair increased Labour’s representation in Lords by labour.
What may the PM nominate life peers with a view of?
giving them ministerial positions.
e.g.- Brown gave government portfolios and life peerage to five prominent public figures who were not politicians, including former confederation of British industry head sir Digby Jones.
What is the honours system?
Nominations are considered by honours committees made up of civil servants and people independent of the govt.
The PM accepts their list.
What is the PM’s patronage power to appoint cabinet ministers?
appointing and dismissing govt minister particulary at
