the Prime MInister and the Cabinet

Question 1

core executive

Answer 1

policy-making network that includes the Prime Minister, senior ministers, cabinet committees and top civil servants.

Question 2

Prime Minister

Answer 2

the first or leading minister, the head of government.

Question 3

primus inter pares

Answer 3

Latin term meaning first among equals. in respect to the Prime Minister, it implies they are the most important member of the cabinet, yet they govern in a collective manner.

Question 4

cabinet

Answer 4

group of around 20-25 senior ministers who meet regularly, usually weekly. the cabinet is chaired by the prime minister and is the key decision-making body in the UK.

Question 5

inner cabinet

Answer 5

small core of ministers a prime minister particularly relies upon for advice or support. in part, it reflects the relatively large size of cabinet, but also a tendency for the prime minister to seek ideas and support from ministers they particularly trust.

Question 6

cabinet committee

Answer 6

specialist subdivisions of the cabinet comprising fewer members who focus on particular policy areas.

Question 7

individual responsibility

Answer 7

the requirement that all ministers are responsible for their own actions while in public office. where they fall short, they are expected to offer to resign.

Question 8

collective responsibility

Answer 8

requirement that all members of the cabinet and government must support the prime minister and government policy in public, enabling a united common front to be presented to the public and the media.

Question 9

accountablility

Answer 9

the requirement to explain and respond to any actions that ministers and their departments undertake, above all to parliament.