key terms

• Executive

  Collective group of the PM, Cabinet and junior ministers - the government
• Cabinet

  PM and senior ministers, most of whom lead a government department
• Minister 


  MP/ member of HoL appointed to a position in government
• Government department


  A part of the executive with specific responsibility over an area like education, health or defence
• Royal prerogative

  A set of powers and privileges belonging to the monarch but exercised by PM/cabinet e.g. granting honurs/legal pardons
• Secondary legislation

  Powers given to the executive by Parliament to make changes to the law within specific rules
• Individual responsibility 


  The principal by which a minister is responsible for their personal conducts and their departments
• Collective responsibility


  Principle by whihc ministers must support Cabinet decisions or leave the Executive
• Presidential government

  An executive dominated by one individual - a strong, dominant PM like Blair