UK Executive Flashcards
How many are employed in the civil service, where is the main office?
5370
70 Whitehall
How many SPADs did Sunak, Blair, and Brown have
Sunak 41
Blair 84
GB 74
How many ad hoc groups were there in 2018, give a few examples?
15 in total
Violence against women and girls, Wu exit, Borders and Social care
What is SAGE and what is there role?
Scientific advisory group for emergencies
Provides a single source of scientific and technical advise
Who led SAGE in covid 19?
Govt chief scientific officer Sir Patrick Valance and Chief medical officer Sir Prof Chris Whitty
Which figures in May’s cabinet were divided?
Chancellor - Hammond
Brexit Sec - Davis
Foreign Sec - Johnson
What had happened to May’s cabinet by June 2018?
Davis and Johnson had both resigned
What comment did Vince Cable make about May’s cabinet?
It was ‘in a state of civil war’
What issues strained May’s cabinet ?
Saudi Arabia, Heathrow, Brexit and the ‘Trojan Horse Plot’
What issue almost caused May to reign - what year was this?
2011
Lapses over border control - said Brodie Clarke has acted beyond the limits given to him
Why did Amber Rudd resign in 2018?
Resigned as Home Sec. after she inadvertently misled parliament over whether she knew about targets to avoid illegal immigrants
Why did Mark Harper resign and in what year?
2014
His cleaner did not have the right to work in the UK
Why did Brooks Newmark step down?
He was found to have sent explicit images to an undercover reporter
Which notable appointment did Brown make?
Ed Balls - his former personal advisor
Examples of ‘big beasts’ being appointed to cabinet’
Boris Johnson in May’s cabinet
Vince Cable in the Coalition
In which year did David Cameron promote two women to cabinet ?
2011
Thatchers Cabinet (1979-90)
- Bilateral meetings used instead
- Relied on accountable advisors e.g Chief economic advisor Sir Alan Walters (1981-83, 1989)
- Later constructed a cabinet of allies e.g. William Whitelaw who servedas home sec and deputy pm
Majors Cabinet (1990-97)
- More cabinet centered
- Each minister felt they had a n influence which they did not want to jerpodise
Blair (1997-2007)
- Sofa government
- Focus on a united front for the media
- Neglect of cabinet critised e.g Butler Report which stated this ‘reduced scope for informed, collective, political, judgement’
Brown (2007-10)
- brought his inner circle to cabinet e.g. Ed Balls
- not liked and faced many challenges from backbenchers e.g Lancashire Plot 2008
Cameron (2010-16)
- Popularity increased but 11% behind in the polls
- Had to balance the Lib Dems
- In Early 2011 50% believed he was doing a ‘good job’
- BJ constant presence
- Accused if being a ‘maid’ for the Lib Dems
May (2016-19)
- Barley known by other MPs
- Had 51 resignations (33 relating to Brexit)
-12 cabinet departures - More resignations than Thatcher or Blair
