The prime minister and the cabinet Flashcards
What is the Core Executive?
The core executive consists of the central bodies and individuals involved in policymaking and the administration of the government. This includes the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, senior ministers, government departments, and advisors who collaborate to coordinate national policy. The core executive emphasizes the interconnected network of political power rather than focusing solely on the Prime Minister or Cabinet.
How Has the Role of the Prime Minister Changed in Recent Times?
The role of the Prime Minister has grown more presidential, with increased media focus on their personality and decisions. Modern Prime Ministers often centralize power through their personal advisors, sometimes marginalizing the Cabinet, and may directly influence policymaking across government sectors. This shift has strengthened the Prime Minister’s authority but also sparked debates on whether it undermines collective Cabinet responsibility.
How Is Policy Made and What Factors Can Affect It?
Policy is made through consultations, proposals from ministries, Cabinet discussions, and parliamentary approval. Factors affecting policy include political ideology, public opinion, media influence, pressure groups, economic conditions, and international events. Additionally, the Prime Minister’s priorities and party manifesto commitments shape policy direction.
How Far Can the Prime Minister and Cabinet Dictate Events and Decide Policy?
The Prime Minister and Cabinet can strongly influence events and policy within the government’s remit. However, they are constrained by legal limits, the judiciary, Parliament’s scrutiny, public opinion, and international agreements. Policy initiatives often require consensus within the Cabinet, and events outside their control (e.g., economic crises) can impact their decision-making freedom.
What Is the True Nature of the Relationship Between the Prime Minister and Cabinet?
This relationship is based on both cooperation and tension. While the Prime Minister leads the Cabinet, they depend on the collective support of Cabinet ministers to implement policies. The relationship can vary from collaborative to adversarial, especially if Cabinet ministers disagree with the Prime Minister’s approach. The concept of collective Cabinet responsibility underpins this, ensuring ministers publicly support collective decisions or resign.
What Is the Difference Between Individual and Collective Ministerial Responsibility, and How Does It Impact Ministerial Resignation?
Individual Ministerial Responsibility means that ministers are accountable for their personal conduct and the actions of their department. If serious errors occur, they may be expected to resign.
Collective Ministerial Responsibility requires all Cabinet members to publicly support government decisions. Ministers disagreeing with policies are expected to resign rather than publicly dissent. This ensures unified government representation but may prompt resignations over significant policy disagreements.
How Far Do the Prime Minister and Cabinet Remain Accountable to Parliament?
The Prime Minister and Cabinet are accountable to Parliament through debates, Prime Minister’s Questions, select committees, and votes. Parliament holds the power to scrutinize and challenge government actions, and a loss of a confidence vote could force the government to resign.
What Are the Prime Minister’s Duties?
Key duties include leading the government, setting policy priorities, overseeing the civil service, representing the UK internationally, making key national security decisions, appointing ministers, and serving as the head of the executive branch.
What is Primus Inter Pares?
Latin for “first among equals,” this phrase describes the Prime Minister’s role within the Cabinet, implying that while the Prime Minister leads, they are still one of the Cabinet members rather than an absolute authority
Who is Robert Walpole?
Robert Walpole is widely regarded as Britain’s first Prime Minister, holding power from 1721 to 1742. His administration established key practices of Prime Ministerial leadership within Parliament, even though the title “Prime Minister” was unofficial at the time.
What is the Origin of the British Constitution?
The British Constitution evolved from historical documents (e.g., Magna Carta, Bill of Rights), statutes, legal conventions, and treaties. It is uncodified, meaning it does not exist as a single written document, and relies on laws and conventions developed over centuries.
What is the Structure of the British Constitution?
The UK Constitution is an amalgam of statute law, common law, conventions, authoritative works, and international treaties. Its flexible, uncodified nature allows it to adapt to changing circumstances but also limits its clarity and rigidity.
What are the Powers of the Core Executive?
The core executive has authority over national policy, security, foreign affairs, defense, and economic policy. It directs legislative initiatives, administers state functions, and represents the government domestically and internationally.
When Did a Full Codified Guide Appear?
The British Constitution remains largely uncodified, though guides like the Ministerial Code and Cabinet Manual outline government practices. These documents, appearing most recently in 2011, clarify government roles and functions but lack full legal codification.
How is the Prime Minister of the UK Chosen?
The Prime Minister is typically the leader of the political party with the majority in the House of Commons. After general elections, the monarch invites this leader to form a government.
