How are we doing?
DO NOW
One person at each table will be labelled
with a post-it note. On the note will be
written either a key term or the name of a
politician.
Everyone else on the table must define
the term or describe the politician
without using the term/name itself or any
part of the term/name, e.g. ‘Democracy’
could be ‘the principle that political
authority derives from the consent of the
governed’.
Once you have correctly guessed the first
term, take turns writing turns for one
another.
Where we are in the course
Unit 2: Governing Modern Britain
Topic 1: The Constitution
Topic 2: Parliament
Topic 3: The Core Executive
Topic 4: Multi-level Governance
How will we approach
today’s assessment
• Everyone will complete one section from a real
examination paper
− In the real exam, you will complete two out of four
sections
• The section we will look at is concerned with the
Core Executive
• The assessment will be conducted under open
book conditions
− you will have access to your own notes, to
dedicated resources and to specific mark schemes
The Core Executive
Civil servants and ministers
The private office of a minister consists of a private secretary and up to three assistant secretaries. It
acts as a link between the ministers and their departments and organises most of their working day –
listening in on telephone calls, fixing appointments and briefing them. The office sifts the papers
coming into the department and decides which papers and delegations the minister should see. A
decision to refer a matter to a minister depends on its sensitivity, demands on resources, need for
political judgement, and uncertainty about the minister’s reactions. An essential part of the policymaking role of senior civil servants is to know a minister’s mind.
These civil servants spend perhaps a fifth of their time on work relating to Parliament: for example,
preparing for parliamentary questions, drawing up legislation, drafting speeches and handling the
correspondence with MPs. It is not surprising, therefore, that the civil servants sometimes appear
cautious.
Source: adapted from D. Kavanagh, British Politics: Continuities and Change (OUP: 2000)
Read the extract above and answer the following questions:
•
•
•
Explain the term senior civil servants used in the extract. (5)
Using your own knowledge as well as the extract, explain why it is not surprising that ‘the civil
servants sometimes appear cautious’. (10)
Evaluate the factors that can give the prime minister power over other cabinet members. (25)
10 mark questions
25 mark questions
L4
9-10
The student demonstrates an excellent
knowledge and understanding of political
concepts, theories, institutions and
processes to address fully the requirements
of the question.
L4
2025
Explicit and sustained evaluation of the
practical extent of prime ministerial power
under a variety of circumstances, e.g. In
some circumstances, prime ministers have
been unable in practice to exercise power
that was theoretically his/hers as a function
of their office.
L3
6-8
The student demonstrates a good knowledge
and understanding of political concepts,
theories, institutions and processes to
address the requirements of the question.
L3
1319
More detailed discussion about the nature
of and limits to prime ministers’ powers over
Cabinet members, e.g. reliance on Cabinet
office and ‘special advisors’ can cause
irritation and result in an erosion of trust.
L2
36
The student demonstrates a limited
knowledge and understanding of political
concepts, theories, institutions and
processes in order to make a limited attempt
to address the requirements of the question.
L2
712
More detailed discussion about sources of
prime ministerial power with specific
reference to Cabinet members, e.g. (s)he can
convene partial Cabinets or govern through
the use of a ‘kitchen Cabinet’
L1
1-3
The student demonstrates little knowledge
and understanding of political concepts,
theories, institutions and processes and
makes little attempt to address the
requirements of the question.
L1
1-6
Simple statements about prime ministerial
power, e.g. (s)he has the ability to appoint
and dismiss government ministers.
Civil servants and ministers
The private office of a minister consists of a private secretary and up to
three assistant secretaries. It acts as a link between the ministers and
their departments and organises most of their working day – listening
in on telephone calls, fixing appointments and briefing them. The
office sifts the papers coming into the department and decides which
papers and delegations the minister should see. A decision to refer a
matter to a minister depends on its sensitivity, demands on resources,
need for political judgement, and uncertainty about the minister’s
reactions. An essential part of the policy-making role of senior civil
servants is to know a minister’s mind.
These civil servants spend perhaps a fifth of their time on work
relating to Parliament: for example, preparing for parliamentary
questions, drawing up legislation, drafting speeches and handling the
correspondence with MPs. It is not surprising, therefore, that the civil
servants sometimes appear cautious.
Source: adapted from D. Kavanagh, British Politics: Continuities and Change (OUP: 2000)
5 mark questions
Level 4
(5 marks)
The student successfully demonstrates excellent knowledge and
understanding of political data, concept(s) or term(s). Where appropriate, the
student is able to illustrate his/her answer with relevant evidence/example(s).
Level 3
(4 marks)
The student successfully demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of
political data, concept(s) or term(s). Where appropriate, the student is able to
illustrate his/her answer with relevant evidence/example(s).
Level 2
(2–3 marks)
The student demonstrates limited knowledge and understanding of political
data, concept(s) or term(s). The student may illustrate his/her answer with
evidence/example(s) of limited relevance.
Level 1
(1 mark)
The student demonstrates little knowledge and understanding of political
data, concept(s) or term(s). The student may illustrate his/her answer with
evidence or examples of little relevance.
Explain the term senior civil servants used in
the extract. (5)
• Read the handout on the role and functions of
the civil service.
• Write a short working definition of a senior
civil servant, citing examples.
Using your own knowledge as well as the extract,
explain why it is not surprising that ‘the civil
servants sometimes appear cautious’. (10)
• Read the handout on the role and functions of
the civil service.
• Working independently, highlight evidence
and/or quotes in the article that could help
you answer the question above.
• Write an answer to the question above. Your
answer should be about one page in length
and is likely to include 2-3 reasons.
Evaluate the factors that can give the prime
minister power over other cabinet members. (25)
• Re-read the article ‘Cameron: the first cut’ by Anthony
Seldon.
• Working with a partner, highlight evidence and/or
quotes in the article that could help you answer the
‘mini-essay’ question above.
• You may include any other material that you consider
relevant, but you will not be marked down for relying
on the contents of the article.
• Pay close attention to the importance of evaluation in
the mark scheme. You are not only looking for things
that make the PM powerful, but also for practical limits
to his/her power.
STUDENT RESOURCES
Constitutional Monarchy
Liberal Democracy
Parliamentary Sovereignty
A form of government in
which the monarch retains
considerable power, but also
requires the support of
parliament.
A form of democracy based
on regular elections and
representative institutions. It
lays great stress on individual
freedom and a limited role for
government.
A state in which Parliament
has the ultimate power to
make, amend or repeal laws,
including to create or abolish
any local or devolved body.
The Executive
The rule of law
Mandate
This branch of government
consists of PM, Cabinet,
ministers, civil service and
partly local government.
The principle that everyone,
including the government, is
accountable to the same legal
standards.
The approval and authority
given by the electorate to the
policies contained in the
manifesto of the party elected
to office.
State
Authority
The Government
The political association that
exercises sovereign power
over groups and individuals
via permanent institutions
within a defined territory.
Power derived from the
consent of the governed.
The body of persons
authorised to administer the
law, to rule, and to control
the state.
Coalition
Manifesto
Legislature