PM and executive

Executive

The decision making body which represents the UK abroad and is responsible for public services e.g. NHS.

Consists of PM, Cabinet, govt departments, and executive agencies.

Role of the executive (Low branch puddle-duck)

1. Proposing Legislation
2. Proposing the Budget
3. Making Policy Decisions

Royal prerogative

A set of powers and privileges belonging to the monarch but normally exercised by the Prime Minister or Cabinet.

E.g. patronage and conducting foreign policy

Prime minister

The head of the executive who chairs the cabinet and manages the agenda.

He appoints ministers and organises the structure of government departments.

The Cabinet

20-23 Senior ministers who head government departments and advise the PM.

Center of power in the political system who approve policies and govt decisions 'rubber stamp'.

Executive agencies

An administrative agency within the executive branch of government which carry out some functions of government departments.

Sources of power for the PM (R and 4 Ps)

1. Royal prerogative powers
2. Party leadership
3. Patronage (appointing people to public offices)
4. Parliament
5. Public standing

Factors affecting selection of ministers (5)

1. Importance of experience and ability
2. Establishing a PM's authority (pick ministers who align with their views)
3. Rewarding loyalty, key allies, potential rivals
4. Balance between factions (maintain unity)
5. Diversity

Factors affecting the relationship between PM and cabinet (5)

1. Management skills of PM (remove poor performers)
2. PMs ability to set the agenda of meetings (right to chair meeting and sum it up)
3. Cabinet committees and informal groups take decisions
4. Development of PM's and Cabinet office
5. Wider political and economic situation

Civil servant

Employed by government departments who aren't elected, are permanent, and serve any government.

Senior ones present political decisions makers with neutral advice.

3 Roles of civil servant

1. Assist in development of policies in manifesto
2. Always show neutrality
3. Assist ministers in giving effect in implementing policy

Who controls cabinet decisions? (5)

1. PM (proposals are developed)
2. Cabinet committees (ministers + junior ministers)
3. Chancellor of the Exchequer (budget)
4. Individual ministers (from govt departments)
5. Think tanks (experts with advice on specific issues)

Factors affecting PMs popularity (PUPP)

1. high Popularity and a majority
2. United with their party and well-liked
3. strong Personality and leadership style
4. external Pressures e.g. economy and foreign affairs

PMs role (Annie Loves Mom Really Dearly Now)

1. Appointment, reshuffling, and dismissing ministers
2. Leadership
3. Managing cabinet meetings, agendas, and, summaries
4. Responsible for the number and functions of departments
5. Directing govt policy (especially economic and foreign)
6. National leadership in international affairs

Collective ministerial responsibility

All ministers are responsible for policies and decisions so must stick to them and not question them in public to provide a united front.

Discussions and disagreement remain private.

Individual ministerial responsibility (legal + political)

Each minister is responsible for their performance and conduct, if an error is made they will face interrogation and be expected to resign.

Collective responsibility example

Johnson (foreign secretary at the time) did not agree on May's views on Brexit and aired his differences to the public.

Individual responsibility examples (2)

1. Hancock was the health secretary and broke social distancing rules by having an affair with a colleague and was pressured to resign after a video was published of them kissing while married.

2. Cummings broke lockdown rules by driving over 200 miles to 'test his eyesight', he believed he acted within the law and was backed by Johnson saying he "followed the instincts of any father"

Cabinet is important (4)

1. Grants govt legitimacy
2. The PM needs support from them when in national crisis or when making tough decisions
3. Programme is discussed and problems are resolved
4. Without the support of their cabinet its difficult for a PM to remain

PM is dominant (4)

1. Decisions are taken by committees hand-picked by the PM
2. He controls the agenda and length of meetings
3. People are reluctant to challenge the PM as he can dismiss them
4. The media heavily focuses on the PM, he is the one who needs a personal mandate from the people