AS UK Government and Politics
Revision - The core
executive
Revision The core executive
Question 1 What are the functions of
the cabinet? (7 functions)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Ratifying decisions made elsewhere within the central executive
Agreeing the management of government business in parliament
Settling disputes between government departments or ministers
Establishing the presentation of government policy
5. Making key decisions which the prime minister does not wish to
lead on
6. Occasionally dealing with a crisis or emergency
7. Specifically the political cabinets: managing the political position
of the government
Or remember: RASP KEPP
Revision The core executive
Question 2 What is the role of the
prime minister? (8 roles)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Chief media and public spokesperson for the government
Represents the nation abroad
Chief policy maker
Chairs cabinet meetings and arranging its business
5. Commander in chief of the armed forces
6. Patronage — he/she is responsible for a wide range of public
appointments
7. Parliamentary leader of the government
8. Act as the key co-ordinator with coalition partners
Or remember MAP CAP PLCC
Revision The core executive
Question 3 What are sources of prime
ministerial power? (7 powers)
PPEG ETCS
1.Prerogative powers — the prime minister exercises many of the
monarch’s arbitrary powers
2.Parliament — the prime minister is leader of parliament as long as
he/she commands the support of the majority of the Commons
3.Election — though not directly elected like a president, he/she does
enjoy the authority of the popular vote
4.The governing party — the prime minister is normally the leader
of the dominant party in the Commons
5.European Union Treaties and Law — Single European Act 1986,
Maastricht Treaty 1992, Lisbon Treaty 2009
6.Tradition — procedures of parliament, Queen’s Speech
7.Common and Statute Laws — freedom of association, freedom of
movement
Revision The core executive
Question 4 What are the prime ministerial
powers formal and informal powers?
Formal powers MAD FAF
1. Managing the cabinet
2. Appointing and dismissing ministers and other public figures
3. Conducting foreign policy and negotiating treaties
4. Determining how armed forces should be deployed
Informal powers ANTMAGS
1. Acting as government spokesperson
2. Making government policy
3. Acting as national leader, especially in times of crisis
Revision The core executive
Question 5 What is ministerial and
collective responsibility?
Individual ministerial responsibility
1. Ministers are responsible for all decisions and policies of
their departments
2. Ministers should accept that they are individually responsible
to parliament
3. And In extreme circumstances they resign over serious political
errors
Or learn MARADAP MARARSE
Revision The core executive
Question 5 What is ministerial and
collective responsibility?
Collective responsibility
1.All government ministers are collectively responsible for all
government policies and decisions
2.All ministers must defend government policy in public
3.Ministers who disagree with government policy publicly must
resign or face dismissal
4.Coalition governments may introduce exceptions — agreements to
differ
Or learn AMAR MDPIP MWDMR
Revision The core executive
Question 6 What are the reasons for the
growth of prime ministerial power? (7 reasons)
1. The decline in importance of the cabinet
2. The increasing importance of the role in terms of the media and public
opinion
3. The increasing importance of international affairs which are prime
minister-led
4. The growth in the importance of private advisers and think tanks
5. The growth in the extent and influence of the Downing Street policy
‘machine’
6. The increasing use of bilateral agreements with ministers
7. The incidence of dominant individuals such as Thatcher and Blair
DIIC, MAPO, IAPATT, IDSM, BAMDI
Revision The core executive
Question 7 What are the limitations on
prime ministerial powers?
Their party — prime ministers can be removed by the governing
party
International events — the power of the prime minister may be
limited by international developments or international organisations
(including the EU)
Coalition partners – With Coalition government the Prime Minister
may be restricted by the demands or agreements of their coalition
partners
Public opinion — the authority of the prime minister can be
undermined by unpopularity or media opposition
Cabinet — cabinet can overrule or remove a prime minister
Parliament — the prime minister only has authority if he/she enjoys
the support of the Commons majority
Remember – PICPOC
Revision The core executive
Question 8 What are the main factors in the
PMs selection of ministers? (9 factors)
• Popularity with sections of the governing party
• And Public popularity
• Party loyalty
• Ability as a parliamentarian
• And Ability as a department manager
• Ability to deal with Parliament
• Loyalty to the prime minister
• Experience and expertise
• Dissidents who may need to be silenced
Remember: PWPAP, PLAPAM, LEEDS
Revision The core executive
Question 8 What are the Civil service
principles?
Anonymity (ARBILP)
1. Their specific role not must not be identified
2. They should have a low public profile
Permanence (PACDSOTT)
1. They also cannot be dismissed for political
reasons
2. They have security of tenure
3. They transfer from one government to the next
Revision The core executive
Question 8 What are the Civil service
principles?
Neutrality (NAP, SDP, MABN, NEBP)
1. They must not be active politically
2. They must always serve governments of
different parties equally conscientiously
3. Their work and advice must always be neutral
4. They must not ever become politically
involved on behalf of government