The Prime Minister and Cabinet

Question 1

Define ‘Primus inter pares’ + its origins

Answer 1

‘First among equals’ - in bagahott’s english constitution

Question 2

Give three powers of the prime minister.

Answer 2

Powers of the PM:

• Patronage powers - Cabinet shuffles - e.g. May 2018, Hunt became foreign secretary from health secretary.
• Prorogation of parliament - e.g Boris 2019 (Lead to R Miller vs PM)
• Call general elections (1983/2019).

Question 3

Give three limitations on the power of the PM.

Answer 3

Limitations of PM power:

• Backbench rebellions - e.g Sunak over rawanda bill
• Vote of no confidence - defeated Callaghan in 1979.
• Size of the majority - e.g. Major had to acknowledge the importance of Backbench MPs unlike Blair and Thatcher

Question 4

Give an example of a successful vote of no confidence.

Answer 4

James Callaghan’s labour gov 1979.

Led to Thatcher’s surprise victory.

Question 5

Give 3 ways in which the PM is held to account.

Answer 5

• PMQs / oposition days - Labour choosing to debate social care (2018)
• Judicial controls (R (Miller) v. The Prime Minister).
• Backbench Revolt - e.g. revolt over plan-B covid measures (2021)

Question 6

Give three considerations when appointing cabinet ministers.

Answer 6

Considerations for appointment:
- Ideologies - Blair appointed mainly New Labour ministers and appeased old labour MPs by appointing John Prescott as deputy PM.
- Expertise - Rishi Sunak (Chancellor) has a foundation in business
- Geography - wise to appoint ministers from across the country.

Question 7

Give 3 ways in which the UK is a presidential government.

Answer 7

Is a Presidential government:
✔ Spatial leadership issues - the PM develops personal policy agenda, separate from their parties

✔ can bipass cabinet - bilaterals and cabinet committees

✔ Royal prerogative - e.g. 2021 - BJ sending two navy vessels to Jersey regarding French fishing tensions.

Question 8

Give 2 way in which the UK is not a presidential government.

Answer 8

Not a presidential government:
❌Face leadership threats - e.g. May’s approval rates dropped to 27% due to Brexit.

❌ Potential for coalition - Cameron gave ministers the chance to push their own policy agenda e.g. Gove and Academies.

Question 9

what is collective ministerial responsibility

Answer 9

Convention which states that in public Cabinet members must stick to the agreed Cabinet line and stay united.

Question 10

3 examples of collective ministerial responsibility

Answer 10

1. All ministers must publicly support all government policies even if they disagree with them privately.
2. If a minister wants to dissent publicly from government policy they should resign first. (2018 - Boris resigns as foreign sec over disagreements over Brexit)
3. If they dissent without resigning they can expect to be dismissed by the PM - (Braverman sacked as home secretary 2023, after she defied No 10 over police bias

Question 11

Example of exec power over party

Answer 11

Boris removed the whip from 20 anti-Brexit MPs in 2019