The Structure, Role and Powers of the Executive

Question 1

What is the executive and what does it consist of?

Answer 1

1. British parliamentary system in which the executive sits within the legislature and is responsible for the governing of the country.
2. Cabinet- heads of department, like home secretary and the chief whip.
3. Junior ministers.
4. Served by senior civil servants.

Question 2

What is the core executive?

Answer 2

The most important elements of the government, including the cabinet, senior civil servants and key political advisers.

Question 3

Secondary legislation:

Answer 3

The process by which primary legislation can be amended by government departments without requiring another Act of Parliament.

Question 4

How does the executive govern the nation?

Answer 4

1. Introduces legislation based on the manifesto on which it fought the general election.
2. Introduces legislation into Parliament in response to changing circumstances- ‘doctor’s mandate’
3. Introduces a Budget, outlines how the government proposes to make revenue. Presented to Parliament in autumn by the chancellor of exchequer.
4. Can introduce secondary legislation.

Question 5

Where do the sources of power of the prime minister come from?

Answer 5

1. Authority of the prime minister derives from the fact that they have been asked by the monarch to form a government on their behalf.
2. Likely be the leader of the largest party.
3. Convention that the prime minister should be a member of the Commons. Lord Home formed a government, following the resignation of Harold Macmillan in 1963. Renounced his peerage and fought a by-election to win a seat.

Question 6

Royal prerogative:

Answer 6

The executive power of the monarchy, such as command of the armed forces, patronage and conduct of foreign policy. As the UK is a constitutional monarchy, these powers have now been transferred to a prime minister, who wields them on behalf of the monarch without requiring the consent of the legislature.

Question 7

The powers of the prime minister:

Answer 7

1. Determines the membership of the government, including the cabinet and cabinet committees.
2. Makes senior appointments to the civil service and judiciary.
3. Recommends most appointment of life peers to the House of Lords.
4. Negotiates foreign treaties.
5. Directs military forces in combat.
6. Decides whether to activate the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

Question 8

What are some examples of the royal prerogative being used?

Answer 8

1. In 2013, the Minister of Justice requested a posthumous royal pardon for Alan Turing. He cracked the enigma code in WW2 but was convicted in 1952 for ‘gross indecency’ with a man.
2. In 2019, Boris Johnson used the royal prerogative to prorogue Parliament.
3. In 2024, Rishi Sunak used the royal prerogative to authorise military intervention after the UK joined the US in launching air strikes against Houthi-linked targets in Yemen.

Question 9

Cabinet Ministers:

Answer 9

A senior member of government. Most of them are heads of a department and have a major administrative and policy making function. They attend cabinet and are bound by collective ministerial responsibility.

Question 10

Government Department:

Answer 10

An executive branch of government. Its role is to implement government policy and administer its areas of interest and control.

Question 11

What do ministerial teams do?

Answer 11

Makes proposals for legislation concerning their department. They introduce primary and secondary legislation.

Question 12

How is the department set up?

Answer 12

1. Secretary of state- takes ultimate responsibility for the department.
   2, Junior minister- also bound by collective ministerial responsibility.
2. Each department relies on the civil service- headed by a chief secretary.