The Prime Minister And Cabinet 2 Flashcards
The power to make senior govt. appointments and to dismiss office holders is known as _____________
Patronage
On first coming to power a PM has to start afresh in forming a new cabinet. What initial decision must he make
Whether to choose a ‘balanced’ cabinet or one that is ideologically united
Functions of the PM
Head of govt. (patronage) Chief govt. spokesperson Chief policy maker Commander-in-chief of the armed forces Chief foreign policy maker Parliamentary leader
Limitations on power of the PM
Small majorities Unity of party / coalition Public / media profile of PM Confidence of cabinet and parliament Opposition from own party
Reasons the PM is now a president
PM is effectively head of state PM's network of political advisors Media's concentration on PM Growth of importance of foreign affairs Spatial leadership
What is spatial leadership
The idea that leaders consider themselves distinctly separate from the rest of govt. - Presidents are naturally spatial as they’re elected separately
Reasons that the PM is not a president
Change in style of leadership - same constraints remain 'Elastic' theory Role of PM is flexible PM may not be personally popular PM is part of govt. (e. coalition)
Arguments that PM is the most powerful in the UK
Patronage
Choice of cabinet
Have advisors
Choose committees
Arguments that the PM is not the most powerful in the UK
Party faction
Coalition
Arguments that civil servants are the most powerful in the UK
Permanent roles
They implement policy
Arguments that civil servants lack power
They have to be politically neutral
They don’t make decisions
Arguments that secretaries of state are powerful
They’re in the cabinet
They have power over decision making in their department
Arguments that secretaries of state lack power
They must gain approval from cabinet
They’re held accountable by parl.
Arguments that cabinet are the most powerful in the UK
They are the voice of the govt. as a unified voice
Most important legislation must be approved by cabinet
Arguments that the cabinet lack power
Power of cabinet undermined by committees
Can be sacked by PM
Some decision making is done outside cabinet
Arguments that downing street machine is most powerful
Influences PM’s decisions
Most accountable
Arguments that downing street machine lacks power
Have no constitutional power
Cannot make decisions, can only influence them
Formal powers enjoyed by all PM’s
Patronage Head of civil service Leading cabinet Senior judges (final say over appointments) Commander-in-chief of armed forces Conducting foreign relations Maintaining national security
What’s the difference between head of civil service and patronage
Patronage is the power to appoint and dismiss ministers
Head of civil service means the PM can create and abolish new departments
Informal powers of PMs (vary according to circumstances)
Making govt. policy - Dependent on unity of govt. policy
Parliamentary leadership -Dependent on majority
Controlling cabinet - Dependent on unity of cabinet
National leadership - dependent on personal popularity of PM
Sources of PM’s power
Support of ruling party
Royal prerogative
Popular mandate
Parliamentary authority
Differences between ministers and civil servants
Political allegiance
Public responsibility
Temporary / permanent position
Job security
Define: Civil service neutrality
The constitutional principle in the UK that civil servants must retain political neutrality, must give neutral advice to ministers and should not become involved in party politics
Define: Open government
A principle and an aspiration that the processes of government should be made as open to the public and parliamentary scrutiny as it is possible and reasonable
