PM and the exc.

• What is the executive branch responsible for?

  Implementing legislation
• Who is the head of government in the UK?

  Prime Minister
• What is the cabinet?

  A formal committee of leading government members
• What is the role of the kitchen cabinet?

  To advise the Prime Minister informally
• What does the core executive consist of?

  An informal network involved in policy-making
• What is required to become Prime Minister?

  Be an MP and party leader
• How can a person become Prime Minister without an election?

  By becoming leader of the majority party
• What are the main roles of the Prime Minister?

  Appoint ministers, direct policy, manage cabinet
• How has the role of the Prime Minister changed over time?

  It has grown due to no codified constitution
• How many members typically make up the cabinet?

  Around 20 members
• What is the hierarchy of importance within the cabinet?

  Chancellor, foreign secretary, home secretary
• What is the cabinet's role in policy approval?

  To approve policy discussed elsewhere
• What is collective responsibility in government?

  Government is collectively responsible to Parliament
• What happens if the government is defeated in a vote of no confidence?

  All members resign
• What is individual responsibility in government?

  Ministers are accountable for their departments
• Who resigned after stating UK egg production was infected?

  Edwina Currie
• Why did Robin Cook resign?

  Disagreement over Iraq invasion policy
• What was Chris Huhne charged with?

  Perverting the course of justice
• What is the concept of ministerial responsibility?

  Ministers are accountable for their actions
• What is the role of civil servants?

  To implement government policy neutrally
• What are executive agencies?

  Semi-independent bodies carrying out government functions
• What is the significance of the Fixed Term Parliament Act?

  It eroded the PM's power to dissolve Parliament
• What is the primary function of the executive?

  To propose legislation and budgets
• What is the PM's power of patronage?

  Ability to hire and fire ministers
• How does the executive control the legislative agenda?

  By spending most time on government bills
• What is secondary legislation?

  Delegated powers granted to ministers
• What are the main functions of the executive?

  • Propose legislation
  • Propose a budget
  • Make policy decisions
• What are the differences between collective and individual responsibility?

  • Collective responsibility: government accountable as a whole
  • Individual responsibility: ministers accountable for their departments
• What are the roles of ministers in the cabinet?

  • Oversee government departments
  • Work with civil servants
  • Support collective cabinet decisions
• How does the Prime Minister's role compare to that of a US President?

  • PM is 'first among equals' in cabinet
  • US President has more formal powers
• What are the implications of the Fixed Term Parliament Act on the Prime Minister's powers?

  • Limits the PM's ability to dissolve Parliament
  • Establishes fixed election intervals