The structure, role and powers of the executive - 3.1 Prime Minister and Executive - UK Government Flashcards
Executive
The decision-making branch of government, centred on the prime minister and Cabinet and its committees
Cabinet definition
The group of senior ministers, chaired by the Prime Minister, which is the main collective decision-making body in the government
Minister
A member of either the House of Commons or House of Lords who serves in Government, usually exercising specific responsibilities in a department - can be cabinet ministers (about 22) or other
Government department
A part of the executive, usually with specific responsibility over an area such as education, health of defence
The Prime minister
Head of the executive, chairs cabinet and manages its agenda. Appoints all members of the cabinet and junior Ministers & decides who sits on Cabinet committees. Can create abolish or merge departments
Cabinet office
A government department responsible for supporting the cabinet system and the prime minister, and managing the civil service. Headed by Cabinet Secretary
Cabinet secretary
The most senior civil servant in the country - provides policy advice to the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Currently Mark Sedwill
Government departments
Bodies that are responsible for an area of policy (e.g. Department of Transport). Headed by a cabinet minister & supported by junior ministers
Junior ministers / Minister of State
Members of a department but not in cabinet - will be in charge of a specific area of policy (e.g. Minister of State for Universities). In Government but not cabinet
Executive agencies
Semi-independent bodies that carry out the functions of government departments
Example of executive agency
DVLA - is overseen by Department for Transport
Secretary of state
Leads a department - in cabinet (e.g. secretary of state for Education)
Main roles of the executive
Proposing legislation Proposing the Budget Making Policy decisions Responsible for public services Represents UK abroad & manages defence
Proposing legislation (as a role of the executive)
Executive proposes new law or amendments to existing laws.
Announces a programme at the start of each session (Queen’s speech) but they are not limited to these proposals
Example of executive proposals announced in Queen’s speech
Cameron’s Government 2015. Proposed:
EU Referendum
Measures to solve English Votes for English laws
Legislation to protect public services from strikes
Example of executive consulting with interested parties (pressure groups / professional bodies) before introducing legislation
2015 Cameron government consulted with employers on proposal to introduce an apprenticeship levy - introduced in 2017
Proposing the budget (as a role of the executive)
Created by Chancellor of Exchequer in consultation with PM.
Presented to Cabinet and then House of Commons for approval in November
Example of budget being redone due to new party taking power
2010 George Osbourne delivered an emergency budget 90 days after Labour’s one
Making policy decisions (a role of the executive)
Executive has to decide how to make policy decisions - how to implement its aims etc
Main powers of the executive
Royal Prerogative powers
Initiation of legislation
Secondary legislation
- Some executive powers are collective whereas some belong to PM (who consults with senior ministers & officials)
Royal prerogative powers (powers of executive)
Based largely on practice of previous governments
Sign treaties
Take action to maintain order in emergency
Grant & withdraw passports
Grant legal pardons
Appoint ministers & senior office holders
Award honours (some are given by monarch)
Declare war & authorise use of armed forces
Royal prerogative powers definition
A set of powers and privileges belonging to the monarch but normally exercised by the Prime Minister or Cabinet. Such as granting honours or legal pardons
Reforms to Prerogative powers
Brown’s Labour gov & Cameron’s coalition wanted to place some prerogative powers under Parliament authority.
- 2011 Fixed Term Parliament Act removed right for PM to determine date of election
- Governments have accepted that military action requires prior government approval (in emergency government can deploy troops and gain approval afterwards)
Initiation of legislation (power of executive)
Executive controls all but 20 days of parliamentary time.
With a majority government can usually rely on whips & power of patronage to push through legislation
Guillotine / allocation of time motion - procedure allowing government to reduce debate on individual clauses of a bill. In Commons only.
Programming motion (introduced by Blair) enables executive to set time limits for each stage in the process
Secondary legislation (power of executive)
Law made without passing a new act of parliament - government uses powers created by an earlier act. Most common form is statutory instruments - can be controversial.
(government’s just make amendments of current laws/ acts rather than introducing brand new ones)
Sometimes called Henry VIII clauses because enable government to avoid parliamentary scrutiny. Parliament can debate & reject statutory instrument but 2/3 of them become law without being put before MPs
Example of secondary legislation being controversial
2016 - statutory instruments used to abolish maintenance grant for Uni students & to allow fracking in national parks. Opposers argued government was sneaking in changes through the backdoor
