The role of PM Flashcards
What is the PM the head of?
The UK government
What does the PM do?
- Provides leadership within the cabinet and the country as a whole
- Chairs the cabinet
- Appoints ministers
- Leads the largest party in the commons
When did the position of PM emerge?
In the early 18th century, as the accepted title for the first lord of the treasury
Who is recognised as the first PM?
Robert Walpole (1721-42), due to commanding majority support within the commons and cabinet
How does the cabinet manual, a paper describing the workings of the executive, describe the role of PM?
As the head of government
Why is the position of the PM somewhat unclear?
Because their precise role is not set out in statute law
List the 8 key functions of the PM
- Political leadership
- National leadership
- Appointing the government
- Chairing the cabinet
- Managing the executive
- Prerogative powers
- Managing relations with parliament
- Representing the UK in international affairs
How does the PM provide political leadership?
They determine the direction of government by setting its policies and strategy
How does the PM provide national leadership?
As the prominent political figure the PM must provide leadership at times of crisis. They are responsible for national security and act as communicator in chief for the government
How does the PM appoint the government?
They determine the membership of government by appointing and dismissing ministers
How does the government chair the cabinet?
The PM chairs cabinet meetings, sets its agenda and steers its decisions. They create cabinet committees and hold bilateral meetings with ministers
How does the PM manage the executive?
Responsible for the overall organisation of the government and is the head of the civil service
How does the PM use prerogative powers?
They can do things like deploy forces overseas and use patronage
How does the PM manage relations with parliament?
They will make statements to and answer questions in the commons. They also shape the governments legislative agenda
How does the PM represent the UK in international affairs?
Represents the UK in high level international diplomacy
What are the three main requirements to become PM?
- They must be an MP
- They must be the leader of a political party
- The political party they lead must usually have a majority in the commons
Explain the idea that a PM must be an MP
The PM used to be a lord in the 19th century, but as the commons emerged as the dominant chamber it has become a constitutional convention that the PM is a member of the commons. When Alec Douglas home became PM in 1963 he forfeited his position as a peer and successfully ran in a by-election.
Explain the idea that the PM must be a party leader
The PM must enjoy the support of their party; if they are ousted as party leader, they must also step down as PM. Thatcher stepped down in 1990 after failing to win a conservative party leadership election. 6 of the last 8 PMs have gained the position due to an internal leadership contest
Explain the idea that the PM must command a commons majority?
The monarch will invite the MP who command a commons majority to form a government. PMs defeated in a general election must resign
Outline the features of a majority government?
- One party has an absolute majority in the commons
- This political party forms a government
- Government ministers are members of this one party
Outline the features of a minority government?
- No party has an absolute commons majority
- One party will form a government but must try to ensure support on key measures from smaller parties using something like a confidence and supply deal
- All ministers are members of this governing party
Outline the features of a coalition government?
- No party has an absolute majority in the commons
- Two or more parties agree to form a coalition government, with a formal agreement on a policy programme
- Ministerial positions are shared between multiple governing parties, based on a formal agreement on the distribution of posts
