the prime minister and the executive

Question 1

Describe an example of the PM’s ability to choose members of the cabinet

Answer 1

this is called ‘exercising patronage’

PM Rishi Sunak fired Tory party Chairman Nadhim Zahwai in Jan 2023 following an investigation into tax he had paid

Question 2

Give an example of the ability to abolish or create new government departments

Answer 2

in 2023 Rishi Sunak announced creation of 4 departments including Department for Energy Security and Net Zero following the energy crisis

Question 3

Describe how an electoral mandate and majority allows for legislation to get passed and enforce party discipline

Answer 3

In 2019, the Tory party under Boris Johnson gained a majority of 74 in the election

Question 4

Describe how national circumstances can affect the power of the prime minister

Answer 4

the handling of the energy crisis of 2022 by PM Truss was a factor in her short lived term in office

Question 5

Give an example of different Prime ministerial styles

Answer 5

Presidential Prime Ministers: Tony Blair

Core inner Cabinet: Cameron, Clegg and the Quad

Relying of the SpAds (special advisers): Theresa May with Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill

Question 6

Give an example of how the media can affect the power of the PM?

Answer 6

The Mirror broke, and continually pursued, the Partygate story in 2021 and 2022 which ultimately led to the resignation of PM Boris Johnson

Question 7

What is individual ministerial responsibility?

Answer 7

means that ministers are accountable to parliament for the decisions taken by their department and should take responsibility for their own actions of their department

Question 8

Give an example of cases where ministers have resigned for personal conduct

Answer 8

Matt Hancock resigned from the role of health secretary in 2021 after footage of him kissing a close aid surfaced in the press, which meant he had broken Covid-19 social distancing roles

Question 9

Give an example of cases where ministers resigned for personal decisions and actions

Answer 9

Priti Patel resigned from the role of secretary of international development in November 2017 over unsanctioned meetings with the Israeli government

Question 10

What is collective responsibility?

Answer 10

once a decision is made by the cabinet it is given public support by all ministers
anyone who can’t maintain collective responsibly should resign from their ministerial role

Question 11

Give an example of how cabinet collective responsibility was a flexible policy that could be changed

Answer 11

e.g. collective responsibility was suspended in 2016 to allow ministers to campaign for either side of the Brexit referendum

Question 12

List some key events under Boris Johnson 2019-22

Answer 12

Covid-19 pandemic
Ukraine War
PArtygate
Scotland’s push for a second independence referendum

Question 13

List some key events under David Cameron 2010-16

Answer 13

Scottish Indpendance
Brexit Referendum 2014
AV referendum 2011
Marriage Act 2013

Question 14

List some key events under Tony Blair 1997-2008

Answer 14

9/11
Iraq War
Cash for honours scandal
Good Friday Agreement
IRA bombings in SOHO
Human Rights Act 1998
House of Lords Reform

Question 15

List some key events under Margaret Thatcher 1979-90

Answer 15

Falklands War
Miner’s Strikes
Cold War
Educational Reform
Housing Act 1980