Unit 3: The Prime Minister and Cabinet

Question 1

Name 7 functions of the Prime Minister

Answer 1

Chairing the Cabinet
Appointing the government
Managing relations with parliament
Managing the Executive 
Prerogative powers
Political and National Leadership
Representing the UK internationally

Question 2

What is the prerogative power?

Answer 2

Powers that can be used by the PM/ministers without legislation/consent from MPs - used to be held by monarch

Question 3

Name 3 examples of the Royal Prerogative powers

Answer 3

Appointing/dismissing ministers

Calling elections

Declaring war

Question 4

What are the 2 key functions of the PM’s office?

Answer 4

Policy advice and communication

Question 5

Who is part of the PM’s office?

Answer 5

Civil servants and special advisers

Question 6

Name 6 powers of the Prime Minister

Answer 6

Patronage (appointments)

Appointments to Cabinet

Public Standing

Authority in Cabinet

Policy-making

Party leadership

Question 7

Name 2 examples of patronage by the PM

Answer 7

Life Peers e.g BORIS appointing Philip Hammond

Government ministers (Cabinet) e.g Rishiiii

Question 8

Name 2 ways the PM’s power of appointment to the cabinet is not significant

Answer 8

Face formal/informal constraints (e.g David Cameron appointing 5 Lib-Dems as part of the coalition

Include different party wings to appeal to everyone - may disagree on certain things

Question 9

Name 2 ways the PM’s power of appointment to the cabinet is significant

Answer 9

Can create cabinet in their own image (e.g Thatcher placing allies in key positions)

Cabinet reshuffles mean they can change unsuccessful/disruptive ministers

Question 10

Name 2 ways the PM shows authority in the cabinet

Answer 10

Chairs cabinet meetings - steers discussion

Organises structure of government (e.g changing departments)

Question 11

Name 2 roles of the PM in policy making

Answer 11

Setting objectives and directing policy

Large role in economic and foreign policy

Question 12

Name an example of the PM being involved in economic policy

Answer 12

Thatcher - Poll Tax

Cameron - deficit reduction strategy

Question 13

Name an example of the PM being involved in foreign policy

Answer 13

Blair 2003 invasion of Iraq

Question 14

Name 2 roles of the PM within public standing

Answer 14

Public speaking e.g addressing nation during COVID

Foreign relations e.g G7

Question 15

Name 3 ways the PM may choose cabinet ministers

Answer 15

Close allies

Popular figures with media

‘Rebels’ that can be silenced by collective responsibility if they are a minister

Question 16

Name 4 powers of the cabinet

Answer 16

Registering decisions

Deciding on major issues

Reports on current issues

Settling disputes

Question 17

Define collective ministerial responsibility

Answer 17

The Cabinet as a whole is responsible to Parliament for its actions and should support all government policy

Question 18

Name 2 exceptions of collective responsibility

Answer 18

Suspension during referendums e.g Brexit

Free votes on issues of conscience e.g 2013 Same Sex marriage

Question 19

Define Individual Ministerial responsibility

Answer 19

Cabinet member bears the ultimate responsibility for the actions of their department

Question 20

Name an example of individual ministerial responsibility resignation

Answer 20

Amber Rudd resigned as home secretary in 2018 after she misled the Home Affairs Select Committee over the targets set by the department for removing illegal immigrants

Question 21

Define civil servant

Answer 21

An official with expertise that provides advice to ministers

Question 22

Name 4 types of people involved in policy making

Answer 22

Prime Minister
Cabinet Ministers + departments
Civil servants
Special advisers