The Prime Minister And The Executive

Question 1

Cabinet

Answer 1

The prime minister and senior ministers, most of whom are heads of government departments. It is formally the key decision-making body in British government.

Question 2

Executive

Answer 2

The branch of government responsible for policy making and policy implementation. In the U.K., the executive comprises the prime minister, cabinet and junior ministers who make up the government.

Question 3

Government department

Answer 3

An administrative unit of the executive that is usually responsible for a particular area of policy.

Question 4

Minister

Answer 4

An MP or member of the House of Lords who is appointed to a specific position in the government by the prime minister.

Question 5

Prime minister

Answer 5

The head of the government and of the executive branch. The prime minister chairs the cabinet.

Question 6

Royal prerogative

Answer 6

A set of powers exercised by government ministers, or by the monarch, which do not require parliamentary approval.

Question 7

Coalition government

Answer 7

A government comprising two or more political parties formed after an agreement between them on policy and the allocation of ministerial positions.

Question 8

Majority government

Answer 8

A government consisting of members of one political party which has an absolute majority of seats in the House of Commons.

Question 9

Minority government

Answer 9

A government consisting of members of one political party which does not have an absolute majority of seats in the House of Commons.

Question 10

Prime Minister’s Office

Answer 10

The senior civil servants and special advisers based at 10 Downing Street, who provide advice and support for the Prime Minister.

Question 11

10 Downing Street

Answer 11

The residence and office of the prime minister.

Question 12

Patronage

Answer 12

The power of an individual to appoint someone to an important position.

Question 13

Cabinet reshuffle

Answer 13

A series of changes to the personnel of the cabinet and the positions they occupy, instigated by he prime minister.

Question 14

Core executive

Answer 14

The heart of government, consisting of those organisations and actors who coordinate central government activity.

Question 15

Bilateral meeting

Answer 15

A meeting between the prime minister and a departmental minister in which policy is agreed.

Question 16

Cabinet committees

Answer 16

Sub-committees of the cabinet appointed by the prime minister to consider aspects of government business.

Question 17

Cabinet Office

Answer 17

A government department responsible for supporting the cabinet system and the prime minister, and managing the civil service.

Question 18

Cabinet system

Answer 18

The cabinet and its associated bodies, including cabinet committees and the Cabinet Office.

Question 19

Collective responsibility

Answer 19

The principle that ministers must support cabinet decisions or resign from government.

Question 20

Individual ministerial responsibility

Answer 20

The principle that ministers are responsible to parliament for their personal conduct and that of their department.

Question 21

Cabinet government

Answer 21

A system of government in which executive power is vested in a cabinet, whose members exercise collective responsibility, rather than a single office.

Question 22

Prime-ministerial government

Answer 22

A system of government in which the prime minister is the dominant actor and is able to bypass the cabinet.

Question 23

Presidentialisation

Answer 23

The idea that UK prime ministers have taken on some of the characteristics of presidents.

Question 24

Presidential government

Answer 24

A system of government in which a single, directly elected chief executive governs. The executive branch is constitutionally separate from the legislature.

Question 25

Secretary of State

Answer 25

A government minister in charge of a major government department, such as health or education.

Question 26

Civil servant

Answer 26

An official employed in a civil capacity by the Crown, responsible for policy advice or policy implementation.

Question 27

Special adviser

Answer 27

A temporary political appointment made by a government minister.

Question 28

Spin doctor

Answer 28

A special adviser employed to promote the image of the minister and his or her policy in the media.