The prime minister and the executive Flashcards
what is the structure of the executive?
The prime minister- this is the head of the executive and chairs the cabinet and manages the agenda, they also appoint all members of the cabinet and junior ministers, they decide who sits on cabinet cabinets.
they organise the structure of government, can create, abolish or merge departments.
The cabinet- this will consist of 20-23 senior ministers, there are many key issues that are taken within the cabinet this may include areas such as economic policy.
Government departments- they are each responsible for an area of defence, this may include things such as defence.
Executive agencies- these are semi-independent Bodie the carry out some of the functions of government departments, for example the DVLA is overseen by the department for transport.
what are the main roles of the executive?
proposing legislation- the executive will introduce proposals for new laws and this will be read at they kings speech every year, for example this year the king would announce Rishi Sunaks policy for Rwanda. In 2015, the queen would mention David Camerons proposal for an EU referendum. There is also the doctor’s mandate where executive may have to release legislation in emergency circumstances, for example this was seen during the Covid pandemic. Ministers may also consult with the interested bodies, for example in 2015 Cameron would take advice from employers with regards to companies to contribute to the training of workers.
Proposing the budget- this is created by the chancellor of the exchequer, this is a statement and this is the pan for changes to taxation and public spending. When a new budget is introduced, there may be a budget even if a budget has already been released, this was evident in 2010 when George Osbourne would release a budget 90 days after the previous one.
Making policy decisions- for example during the coalition there would be key policy such as universal credit.
what are the main powers of the executive?
Royal prerogative powers- these are the powers which would once belong to the crown but they now belong to the pm. Key power include, award honours, declare war, sign treaties, take action to maintain order, grant and withdraw passports, grant legal pardons, appoint ministers and other senior office holders.
There are two powers that have been abolished or reformed, 2011 Fixed term parliaments acts this would remove the right for the PM to determine the date of an election, this was changed in 2017- Rishi Sunak would recently do this.
there has been the acceptance since 2013 that military action requires previous military action.
Initiation of legislation- the executive will control most of the time for legislation. There are ways that the executive can strengthen its hold over the passage of legislation, the guillotine which allows the government to curtail debate on individual clauses of a bill. Though, in 2011 Cameron would attempt to use the guillotine over debate on redrawing constituency boundaries. The programming motion allows the executive to set out time limits in each stage in the passage of a bill, since 2002 governments can carry over uncompleted legislation from one session to another.
Secondary legislation- this is where governments can introduce new laws without the acceptance of parliament, this was used in 2016 to abolish the maintenance grants of students.
what is IMR?
this is where ministers are responsible for running their own departments, this is part of the ministerial code. they are obliged to give accurate information to parliament and if they don’t they should resign. The fate of an individual minster will depend on how serious the issue is perceived to be, the level of criticism from both parliament and media, the attitude of the prime minister. Alister Campbell, would say that a minister should go if they are at the centre of a media debate for an extended period of time. There has often been a blurring of lines over who is responsible for the failings of government, for example in 2012, Patrick McLoughlin would admit to failure with regards to the West Coast Main line, this would lead to the suspension of three civil servants, professor Vernon Bogdanor would suggest that it is the case of minsters to ensure that people of the CS have the skills to carry out work. Personal misconduct will often be the reason that people will resign, for example Peter Mandelosn would have to reign twice from the Blair government due to accusation over wrongdoing.
what is CMR?
this is the concept that minsters must support all decisions of the government in public, this in order to ensure unity of the government if the government is faced with opposition. This was evident in 2003 when Robin Cook reign as he would oppose the decision for the government to go to war with Iraq. There was also evident discontent within the cabinet of Theresa May when she would face 17 resignations in one day.
what exceptions are there to collective responsibility?
This was evident during the coalition of 2010 when there would be disagreements within the cabinet, though it would be vital that there would be the support of the quad. They would not be bound by collective responsibility due to the need for compromise and their vastly different views. for example, the liberal democrats would be able to abstain on votes on new nuclear power stations. This would also be evident in the 2011 AV referendum when David Cameron would defend FPTP and Nick Clegg would campaign for AV. There would also not be a need for collective unity with regards to the issue of Brexit as this was a cross-party problem, for example David Cameron would want to remain and people like Pritti Patel would want to leave
what are the factors that affect the prime minister’s selection of ministers?
including individuals with ability and experience: there will be many mp’s that are not fit for cabinet. Though, people like Gordon Brown would serve long stunts as chancellor. PM’s may also be inclined to choose people in their cabinet that have a wide range of views or to support their rivals, for example in 1990 John Major would retain Douglas Hurd in the foreign office in 1990. Though, people like Liz Truss would not want to have a cabinet of wide reaching views, for example her cabinet would be full of remainers.
Establishing a prime ministers authority: pm’s will want to establish their tenure, for example Theresa May would want to distance herself from the 2016 cabinet of David Cameron, George Osborne would be sacked from TM’s government.
Rewarding loyalty and key allies, but also being aware of key allies: Blair, in 2001 would appoint key supporters of new labour, these would include people such as David Blanket. Blair would also appoint Brown as chancellor and he would not move him to another post against his wishes.
Maintaining a balance between different factions within the government party: in 2016 TM would appoint people that would be supporters of Brexit, this would include people such as Boris Johnson.
Expectations of diversity: at the beginning of his premiership John Major would face criticism for including no women in his cabinet. Margaret Beckett would be made foreign secretary under Tony Blair and she would be the first woman to hold one of the three most senior roles.
what is the significance of the relationship between the Cabinet and the prime minister
historically, the cabinet has had a key role in policy making, though with the increasing presidentialisation decisions are increasingly not made by the cabinet.
what are the factors that affect the relationship between cabinet and the pm?
the management skills of the prime minister- a good and astride prime minster will set a cabinet that will allow them to establish their power, though when their power will start to waiver they may not be able to use the cabinet to their advantage, for example TM would not be able to use her power over BJ.
The prime ministers ability to set the agenda- they can use their power to decide what is discussed and they have the right to chair the meeting.
the use of cabinet committees and informal groups to take decisions- they can chair important committees to have a high level of control for example TM would decide to chair the committee that would make key decisions over the EU and Brexit. The quad would also frequently meet to discuss issues within the coalition.
the development of the prime ministers office and the cabinet office- the prime minister has access to a number of resources with the use of no 10 downing street, Cameron in 2011 would create the policy and implementation unit, this was designed to strengthen the centre.
the impact of the wide political and economic situation- for example with the 1997 landslide TB would be in a much better position to find popularity than John Major in 1992. in 2007-8 there would also be the financial crisis which would make the position of Brown weaker.
what are the arguments that the cabinet is an important body?
the cabinet approves government decisions,
on important issue there is a need for the cabinet to support the move, in 2016 after completing the renegotiation of the EU’s membership Camreron would present the deal to cabinet.
cabinet is where the business of government takes place.
the UK does not have a presidential system.
what are the arguments that the prime minister is the dominant force in government?
often the issues that are discussed to decisions made with be chosen by the pm.
the PM controls the agenda
disputes will often be resolved outside of the cabinet, there would be a clash in 2011 between Chris Huhne and Vince Cable over the level of emission targets the UK should commit to.
the media will focus heavily on the pm.
what is the significance of Tony Blair and his premiership?
he can often be described as a charismatic leader, he would remodel labour and create new labour in 1997. Even in 2005 when he would lose 100 seats he would still have a majority of 66.
there would a more presidential style of gov, this was evident with Jonathan Powell who would be the prime ministers chief of staff- a role that was inspired by the WH. There would be the creation of the strategic communications unit which would be designed to respond to 24 hour news.
There would also be a largely difficult relationship between Gordon Brown and Blair.
what would be the significance of the legacy of TB?
he would create a Downing Street that would be more focussed at the centre, he would also have a modernising agenda that that would allow for things such as devolution, he would lose key support with the war in Iraq.
what are key examples of sackings over IMR?
David Blukett, would resign in 2005, he would break the code of IMR over paid work that he would take.
he would also resign in 2004 after there would be claims that he would try and fast track the visa process for a nanny that was previously employed by him, many have suggest that TB was in the wrong for appointing him so fast.
Micheal Fallon- would be forced to quiet after allegations of harrasement, TM would write a code of conduct that would state that ministers could be sacked for bullying/harassement.
Amber Rudd, would be forced to resign she would struggle to account for her role in the unjust treatment of wind rush generation migrants.
what is the significance of the cabinet office?
this is responsible for supporting the prime minister and the cabinet, they have key responsible such as supporting a collective gov, supporting the NSC and the joint intelligence organisation.
they also promote the efficiency and reform across gov through innovation.
