uk executive Flashcards
A) Role, powers and structure of the core executive in the UK
The term executive refers to one of the three branches of government along with the legislature and judiciary.
The broader meaning of government includes all elected ministers, together with a huge number of Civil Servants, advisers, committees and other bodies involved in policy making etc (around 4,000). The narrow meaning or Core Executive includes only the 100 plus ministers, senior party officials and senior civil servants appointed by the PM. These form the “Inner Circle” that govern the country.
The main roles of the core executive are as follows:
The main roles of the core executive are as follows: a) Development of governmental policy; b) conducting foreign policy; c) managing the finances of the state; d) organising the defence of the country; e) Responding to major crisis (armed conflict, security threats, social disorder or economic difficulties) ; f) legislating; g) controlling and managing the forces of law & order (i.e. the police, courts, armed forces, intelligence services, etc )
The main components of the core executive:
- The PM and close advisors - The cabinet (20-25 appointed ministers)
- Advisory bodies and policy-developing bodies (often know as ‘Think Tanks’)
- Government departments - civil servants (unelected permanent officials who serve the gov’t)
cabinet government
Developed in 19th century. Cabinet ‘fuses’ the exec and legislative. PM is ‘first among equals’. Arguably outdated. May seen many cabinet resignations and lack of support (Boris Johnson, David Davis, Justine Greening, Philip Lee, Dominic Raab…). Sajid Javid resigned Johnson’s government Feb ’20
Prime MInisterial/Presidential Government
a) PM dominates policy making procedure and makes major government decision without the cabinet. Alastair Campbell, press secretary, said that Blair wanted all interview requests for ministers to go through him first. b) Increased use of PM’s office (which resides inside 10 downing street). It is staffed with a mixture of civil servants and special advisors. It has 3 parts, created in 2001: policy and government, communication and strategy, government and political relations. c) Spatial leadership: This is where the PM steps out from the party and is seen as separate. Blair and Thatcher did this.
Executive Government:
Neither PM or cabinet are independent. It is a mixture of the PM’s office and cabinet working together.
Factors affecting executive power:
Inquiries (ordered by the governing body): a) Leveson inquiry, 2012. Examined medias ethics and code of practice – linked to PM because of Blair’s close relationship with media tycoon Rupert Murdoch. b) Chilcot inquiry, 2010: An inquiry into the Iraq war. Took 6 years to complete. Reported that at the time of invasion, Saddam Hussein did not pose a threat to UK. Blair was a prime witness. Some say the report suggests the Blair lied to the public.
parlimentary soveringty 2003 blair
Blair created constitutional convention for voting on military action. b) May ignored this with Airstrikes in Syria in April 2018. c) 2018 – Miller V Secretary of the State for Exiting the EU. SC ruled in favour of Miller who was arguing that Parliament needed to vote before Article 50 could be triggered. d) 4th Dec – government found in contempt for the first time in history as it did not fully disclose legal advice regarding Brexit when asked. Passed with a vote of 311-293 e) Government Brexit plans rejected twice – Dec 2018 and 12th March 2019 by 149 votes) Liaison Committee: The PM appears yearly since 2002 in front of the committee to give reasoning behind public policy. Boris refused to meet with the liaison committee in Oct ‘19
role of prime minister
Making government: Appointing cabinet members. May appointed a mixed cabinet of remainers and Brexiteers. She was Remainer, whilst foreign secretary, Boris Johnson was a Brexiteer.
directing government policy
May introduced Universal Credit. Tony Blair had a focus on education - Spending per pupil increased 55% by the end of his 10 years, one adult for every 11 pupils in schools, education received 5.6% of GDP
national leadership
Thatcher was the face of the Falklands War response. Blair stepped up when Diana died.
controlling parliment
Limited for May with no majority, but Blair’s majority of 179 meant he could pass almost anything. May has seen several government defeats (Government Brexit plans rejected twice – December 2018 and 12th March 2019 by 149 votes).
foreign policy leader
Dictate the direction. However, constitutional convention created by Blair, 2003. Cameron rejected to aid Americans in Syria by Parliament in 2013. Blair - Bombing campaign against Iraq, 1998, intervention in Kosovo, 1999, intervention in Sierra Leone, 2000, air strikes and invasion of Afghanistan, 2001, war in Iraq, 2003
Exercising royal prerogative:
This can include granting honours. Blair’s “cash for honours” scandal 2006-2007. Royal pardons can be given. 2013 saw Alan Turing granted a pardon as he had been charged with gross indecency in 1952. Angelo Fusco, an IRA member convicted of killing an SAS pilot in 1980 was granted a pardon in 2000, allowing him to return to Ireland.
calling elections
Fixed Term Parliament Act 2011 has made this more difficult. Snap election called in 2017. Most parliaments before the Fixed Term Parliament act would last around 5 years. Another election called in 2019, but initially was not allowed as other parties did not vote for it.
