PRIME MINISTER AND EXECUTIVE CONTENT

Executive

Is the government - sits within the legislature

How does the executive govern the nation

• introduces proposals for legislation to parliament based on their manifesto

• Introduces a budget proposing how the government will raise revenue. Presented in autumn and is written by the chancellor and PM

• May introduce secondary or delegated legislation - already existing legislation which the government can modify without the need to introduce new legislation

Powers of the PM

• exercises the ROYAL PEROGATIVE (executive power of the monarchy eg command of armed forces). These powers are transferred to the PM as the UK is a constitutional monarchy

• Determines membership of the government, including cabinet

• Makes senior appointments to civil service and judiciary

• Recommends most appointments of life peers to HoL

• Negotiates foreign treaties

• Directs military forces

• Decides whether to activate UK’s Trident nuclear deterrent

Role of government departments

• manage particular area of government and develop policy

• Cabinet members are generally in charge of departments ( eg Treasury, home office, transport)

Role of the civil service

• relied on by government departments for support

  • Defined by the principles of neutrality, anonymity, and permanence, meaning civil servants should provide impartial advice, to any governemnt, on policy development and implementation

  • Therefore not expected to be held accountable for the actions of a department