UK Government Unit 3: The PM and the executive - key words - Edexcel A-Level Politics

executive

the collective group of the PM, the cabinet and junior ministers

alternatively known as the government

cabinet

the PM and their senior ministers (total number not fixed but usually 20-23)

most of the senior ministers lead government departments

minister

MP or member of the Lords who exercises specific responsibilites in a department

government department

a part of the executive with specific responsibility for a certain area\ e.g. health, education, defense

royal prerogative

a set of powers and priviliges that belong to the monarch but that are usually exercised by the PM/cabinet on their behalf; e.g. legal pardons, honours

secondary legislation

powers given to the executive by parliament to change the law within certain bounds

individual responsibility

the idea that ministers are responsible for themselves and their departments

collective responsibility

the idea that ministers must present a united front, supporting the executive’s view on a topic, or else leave cabinet

presidential government

an executive dominated by one individual; the PM. also used to denote PMs who campaign in a presidential way e.g. trying to rally support behind them as an individual to try and drive votes for the party’s candidates on the whole

civil servants

neutral government officials who carry out work for their departments. their jobs are permanent

executive agencies

managerially and budgetarilly seperate from the departments they fall under. they usually enforce rules (have an executive, power-enforcing role) where the larger department speculates on policy

examples include the DVLA or the Court Service

big beasts

members of the cabinet, or the party more widely, seen to pose a threat to the authority of the PM.