PM and the executive

Cards (15)

  • Functions of the executive?
    • Directing and making policy
    • Coordination of government activities
    • Administration and management of government departments
  • Characteristics of the executive?
    • Members are mainly from the House of commons or House of lords e.g David Cameron from house of lords.
    • Members are occasionally drawn from other sources, this can be seen under Browns policy of 'government of all the talent'
    • Comprised of various departments led by ministers
    • The PM serves as the head of the executive
  • The PM can use royal perogative to:
    • Declare war
    • Grant pardons
    • Conduct foreign affairs
    • Appoint ambassadors and ministers.
  • Royal perogative is significant as it plays a role in areas not covered by legislation. Its scope and exercise are subjected to the scrutiny of parliament and the judiciary. E.g 2009 Brown establishes an Iraq inquiry.
  • Bagshot described PM's as ' First among equals ' Cabinet colleagues would conduct collective decision making. E.g Major who favoured consentual leadership.
    The unlimited powers of the PM leads to a more forceful approach where the PM dominates cabinet. E.g Margaret Thatcher
  • Presidential theory by Foley, the powers of the PM have grown so great they now compare to that of a president. This can be seen through:
    • The growth of no.10 - hundreds now work there. Employment of civil servants mean the PM can set policy instead of relying on ministers e.g Blair announcing the millennium dome without consulting ministers.
    • Spacial leadership - distancing themselves from unpopular decisions
    • Use of media - weekly press conferences, chief of staff (established by Blair) and media outreach
  • The six key roles of cabinet:
    • Policy formulation
    • Decision making
    • Coordination of govt branches
    • Representation of departments / ministries
    • Communication
    • Accountability
  • Ministers should take responsibility for mistakes made within their department as well as policy failure, political pressure, personal misconduct and inability to retain collective cabinet responsibility.
  • Is ministerial responsibility getting stricter?
    Before 2022 ministers were expected to be dismissed for breaching code, now ministers are expected to 'resign if they knowingly misled parliament'
    2021 Lord Geidt reviews MR. Now only PM capable of creating investigation
    PM makes final call
  • Cabinet collective responsibility - the cabinet is collectively responsible for govt policy. Therefore decisions are collective, cabinet decisions are confidential, ministers must abide and defend collective decisions or resign.
  • Examples of ministerial responsibility
    David Blunkett 2004 Home secretary found to fastrack visa applications. He resigned.
    Amber Rudd denies knowing about a deportation target amid Windrush, she is found to be lying in a letter. She resigns as home secretary
  • The executive can create legislation based on manifesto promises. Secondary legislation occurs when the executive amends passed legislation - this can be criticised as being undemocratic as it bypasses parliamentary scrutiny.
  • How is the cabinet powerful?
    The cabinet can overrule or remove the PM - Thatcher
    The PM will consult cabinet when needed for its experts - 2018 Theresa May syrian governments chemical weapons use
    Legitimise PMs decisions
  • Evidence the cabinet is not powerful?
    The existence of a cabinet does not prevent the use of smaller groups e.g Wilsons 'Kitchen cabinet'
    It is easier for the PM to make decisions without the cabinet e.g Blairs bilateral meetings with preferred advisors
    PM has significant legislative powers so can go against cabinet if they truly believe in it e.g Thatcher goes against cabinet by implementing the poll tax
  • Factors influencing a PM's minister selection?
    Loyalty and political reliability - In Truss' selection loyalty was important, nearly all supported her leadership campaign e.g Kwasi Kwarteng
    Ideological balance - PM's often choose an ideological balance in minsters e.g May equal appointment of Brexiteers and remainers
    Representation and diversity - Beginning with New labour there has been emphasis on diversity in the cabinet e.g Blair appoints first female foreign secretary
    Competence - PM's choose competent MP's they have confidence in , evident with Sunak who replace Kwarteng with Hunt