Structure and role of the executive

• The executive consists of cabinet, the PM, junior ministers and the civil service
• Ministers are appointed by the PM and head departments.
• Cabinet consists of chosen ministers (by the PM) that overlook and deal with specific departments and head them.
• The main role of the executive in the UK is to govern and ensure the country operates effectively
• Propose legislation - most comes from the executive
• Propose a budget - the executive has to calculate how much money it will need to run the country and how much tax it will need to raise from taxation
• Proposed budgets must be approved by parliament and if it is not approved the executive must resign (this is a convention).
• Make policy within laws and budget - need to make decisions on how to enact legislation and to make changes in gov spending
• Other functions - conducting foreign policy, organising the county’s defence, responding to national crises and security threats, managing law and order and the public services.
• Royal prerogative: monarch has now given his/her powers to the PM. This traditional authority is legitimate as it has existed for a long period of history.
• The monarch and chosen PM “kiss hands” to delegate powers
• Popular mandate: leaders of the party who have won the election
• If a change of party leader occurs, the new leader will automatically become PM. This occurred in 1990 when Margaret Thatcher was succeeded by John Major
• Usually a parliamentary leader enjoys the support of the majority. John major did not have this especially from his back bench MPs so resigned, was re elected and therefore boosted his authority
• Patronage: refers to the power an individual may enjoy to make important appointments
• Borris Johnson in 2019 and Tony Blair in 1997 both had popular mandate
• PM role - chief policy maker
• Cabinet role - approving policy and disputes
• Treasury role - managing gov finances
• Gov departments role - implementing specialised policies
• Special advisers come from, or are linked with, think tanks and often go on to work as lobbyists once they have left their advisory role
• In addition to the 120 MPs and peers who comprise the gov ministers, there are thousands of special advisors and civil servants who make up the executive branch
• Total number of people who have some direct influence over gov policy making is probably in the region of 4000