UK Government Executive

What is meant by the executive?

The executive is a branch of the state that makes policy and ensures legislation is properly implemented. In the UK, the executive sits within the legislature, in what is known as a ‘fusion of powers’

What is meant by ‘core’ executive?

All the key institutions and actors at the centre of the UK government involved in making and coordinating policy.

What are the 5 different parts of the core executive?

• The Cabinet

• Cabinet Committees

• Cabinet Office

• Office of the PM

• Government Departments

What is the Cabinets’ compostion, as well as their main roles/responsibilities?

Cabinet is roughly made up of roughly 22 senior ministers, appointed by the PM. To join you have to be head of a department. This is the senior decision-making body in government, and is chaired by the PM.

They meet once a week to discuss issues and policies

What is the Cabinet Committees’ compostion, as well as their main roles/responsibilities?

Cabinet Committees are usually smaller groups of ministers set up by the PM, that make most of the actual decisions, which are then later reported to the Cabinet (handling detailed policy work that Cabinet cannot do in full meetings)

What is the Cabinet Offices’ composition, as well as their main roles/responsibilities?

The Cabinet Office is made up roughly of 2000 civil servants and ministers, and is overseen by the Minister for the Cabinet Office.

The are responsible for supporting the PM and the cabinet in coordinating and agreeing policy decisions, as well as warning them of potential issues.

What is the Office of the PMs composition, as well as their main roles/responsibilities?

The office of the PM is roughly made up of 300 senior civil servants and SpAds (Special Advisiors)

They provide support and advice to the PM .

(Principal Private Secretary to PM sits within this office)

What is the Gov Departments compostion, as well as their main roles/responsibilities?

Made up of 24 diffrerent ministerial departments, and they are headed by Secretaries of State. They are responsible for proposal and implementation of policy in their area of interest/control, they usually remain neutral providing impartial advice on policy development. Secretaries of State are supported by junior ministers, all bound by collective ministerial responsibilitiy.

Example of Gov Department could be Department of Transport

3 responsibilities/powers of the executive in the UK?

• Introducing into Parliament proposals for new legislation

• Power to modify legislation passed by Parliament

• Control of fiscal policy

Example of introducing into Parliament proposals for new legislation, as a power/responsibility of the executive in the UK?

The Health and Social Care Act (2012)- This was proposed by the coalition government to try and reorganise the NHS, allowing a greater involvement of private companies in delivering NHS services.

This power is significant as it lays out the governments agenda.

Example of power to modify legislation passed by Parliament, as a power/responsibility of the executive in the UK?

Via the CoronaVirus Act (2020)- Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government, used Statutory Instruments (SI), to close businesses selling food or drinks on their premisises, in 2020

Example of controlling of fiscal policy, as a power/responsibility of the executive in the UK?

Rachel Reeves (2024)- Following her 2024 Budget, Rachel Reeves increased capital gains tax from 10% to 18% for the lower rate, and 20% to 24% for the higher rate, which were the be implemented at the start of the next fiscal year April 2025.

3 conditions needed in order to be PM?

• Leader of your party

• Be an MP

• Have a majority in the Commons (At least 326 seats)

3 powers of the PM?

• Power of Patronage and Appointments

• Authority over Cabinet

• Foreign Policy

Example of Power of Paronage and Appointments as a power of the PM?

Boris Johnson (2019)- When he became PM following Theresa May in 2019, 11 Senior Ministers were dismissed, and 6 refused to serve, led to The Sun describing it as ‘night of the blond knives’ with all 3 top offices held by new incumbents (Raab, Patel and Javid)

Example of Authority over Cabinet as a power of the PM?

Tony Blair (1997-2007)- He dominated his cabinet to such a degree, according to Chilcot Inquiry 2016, he usually bypassed full cabinet meetings, making key decisions with a small group of advisors on his sofa, e.g Iraq War 2003

Example of Foreign Policy as a power of the PM?

Rishi Sunak (2024)- He authorised airstrikers against Iran-backed Houthi Rebels after the group ignored a joint-warning from 10 other countries to stop attacking ships passing through the Red Sea.

What are the 4 most important roles in the cabinet?

• Prime Minister

• Chancellor of Exchequer

• Foregin Secretary

• Home Secretary

3 functions of the cabinet?

• Advises the PM

• Run government departments

• Help make major decisions

Example of Cabinet advising the PM, as a function

Matt Hancock (2020)- He was Health Secretary at the time and he advised PM Boris Johnson on introducing the first COVID 19 lockdown

Example of Cabinet running government departments, as a function?

Suella Braverman (2023-2023)- She managed immigration policy and oversaw UK’s border, including the Rwanda Asylum Plan

Example of Cabinet helping to make major decisions as a function?

Johnson’s Cabinet (2019)- In 2019 his cabinet approved the decision to prorogue Parliament before Brexit negotiations, shaping the government’s Brexit stratergy.

How much control did Thacther have over her cabinet appointments?

Strong

Chose ministers who supported ‘Thatcherism’, such and removed ‘wet’s’

Used appointments to strenghten her authority in Cabinet

How much control did Blair have over his cabinet appointments?

Very Strong

Appointed loyal allies to key positions

Centralised power around PM’s office, limiting independent voices

How much control did May have over her cabinet appointments?

Weak

Struggled to unite Cabinet over Brexit

Limited Contorl

Reshuffles were forced by internal pressure

How much control did Johnson have over his cabinet appointments?

Strong

Reshuffled after his 2019 majority

Appointed loyalist to push his Brexit and Conservative agenda

Dismissed those who opposed him

3 ways PM is limited to use their power of patronage over their cabinet?

• Party Factions

• Coalitions / Alliances

• Experience

Example of how Party Factions limits the PMs power of patronage over their cabinet?

Theresa May (2016-2019)- Amist of the Brexit frenzy, May struggled to balance pro-leave and pro-remain ministers in her Cabinet, which limited her ability to appoint only ministers loyal to her personally

Example of how Coalitions limit the PMs power of the patronage over their cabinet?

David Cameron (2010-15)- He had to appoint Lib Dem ministers like Nick Clegg as Deputy PM, limiting his patronage choices.

Example of how experience limits the PMs power of the patronage over their cabinet?

Boris Johnson (2019)- He appointed Rishi Sunak as Chancellor, despite him being relatively new to politics, but Sunak had a strong financial background, from working in investment banks and hedge funds, showing that the PM has to consider experience before making key appointments.

3 ways PM can domiante their Cabinet?

• Power of Patronage

• Control of Agenda

• Using alternative sources of advice

Example of how PM can use Power of Patronage to domainate their Cabinet?

Boris Johnson (2019)- When he became PM 11 senior ministers were dismissed, and he gave top 3 office to loyalists such as Raab, Patel and Javid

Example of how PM can use control of agenda to dominate their cabinet?

Blair (1997-2207)- His decision to invade Iraq in 2003, he hid the legality of the war from his cabinet

Example of how PM can use alternative sources of advice to dominate their cabinet?

David Cameron (2010-15)- He used a small group within the PM’s Policy Unit (PMU), to shape policy and stratergy, he relied on them especially when negotiating on key agreements with the Lib Dems rather than holding full Cabient Debates.

3 ways the cabinet can protect its influence?

• Cabinet still has to rubber-stamp decisions

• Ministers still run departments, so still hold an element of autonomy

• Cabinet ministers tend to have a strong media presence

Example of Cabinet still having to rubber-stamp decisons, and how that protects its influence?

Theresa May (2016)- During this year, May’s Cabinet formally approved her Chequers Plan, even though key negotiations and stratergies had already been decided by May and her inner cirlce. This makes this way insignificant.

Example of how ministers still running departments, protects their influence?

Rishi Sunak (2020-22)- He had the final say over Treasury spending decisions, including COVID 19 support packages, such as the furlough scheme

Example of how ministers having a strong media presence protects their influence?

Michael Gove (2010-14)- As Education Secretary, he used newspapers, interviews and media appearances to defend school reforms like FSM, boosting his influence within Cabinet debates.

3 factors which enhance the power of the PM in relation to the cabinet?

• Strong Party Unity

• PM’s personal authority/ media presence

• External events

Example of how strong party unity can enhance the power of the PM in relation to their cabinet?

Tony Blair (1990s)- He had a largely united Labour Party, allowing him to push through major policies like the devolution acts without serious cabinet opposition.

Example of how the PMs personal authority/ media presence enhances the power of the PM in relation to their cabinet?

Marget Thatcher (1979-1990)- She used her repuation and media presence to enforce Thatcherite economic policies, sidelining ministers in the cabinet.

Example of how external events enhances the power of the PM in relation to ther cabinet?

Boris Johnson (2019)- During COVID 19, Johnson could direct his Cabinet to implement lockdowns quickly with limited debates, as ministers are expected to follow leadership in urgent situations.

Best example of Cabinet Ministers still mattering as heads of departments?

Ben Wallace (2019-23)- He personally shaped the UK defence stratergy, especially during the Ukraine War, and he also influenced the Integrated Review (govs big occasional stratergy document that sets out its overall approach to defence, foreign policy, security etc), His long tenure across 2 PMs gave him real autonomy.

Best example of Cabinet Ministers authority being challenged, even in their departments?

Sajid Javid (2020)- Johnson and Cummings order Javid to sack all his Treasury advisers and merge them with No.10’s team, this would have heavily reduced his authority over his own department. Javid refused and resigned, stating no ‘self respecting minister would accept those terms’

Best example to prove that Cabinet ministers still matter as they legitimise decisions/help to forumlate policy?

Sunak (2020-21)- As Chancellor during Covid, he helped forumlate major economic policy responses such as furlough, business loans and Eat out to Help Out. The policies were not simply imposed by the PM, they were designed and delivered by the Treasury under Sunak’s leadership

Best example to prove that the cabinet is irrelevant to decision-making as it has been sidelined by other institutions/ PMs have used other avenues to make policy decisions?

Johnson (2020)- Instead of using full Cabinet meetings to make decisions, he relied on small groups like the COVID ‘Quad’ and SAGE. Big decisions, like lockdown, were mostly made in these small groups, not by the Cabinet.

Best example to prove that resignations/ threats to resign mean cabinet has had an impact on decision-making

Sajid Javid (2020)- Javid refused Johnson’s demand to sack all Treasury advisers and he resigned instead. By resigning, Javid refused this takeover forcing Johnson to appoint a new Chancellor, and signalling that No.10 couldn’t automatically control all departmental decisions.

Best example to prove that resginations has limited impact on government decision-making?

Amber Rudd (2018)- After her resignation, which clearly highlighted problems in government, the government largely continued its exisiting immigration policies.

What is Individual Ministerial Responsibility (IMR)?

Ministers are politically responsible for everything in their department, including failures of officials, even if the minister had no involvment.

It ensures ministers are accountable and oversee their departments properly.

Also includes ministerial code: a set of rules setting out the standards ministers must follow, making them personally accountable under IMR

What is Collective Ministerial Responsibility (CMR)?

All Cabinet members must publicly support government decisions, even if they disagree privately. If they don’t they must resign.

This maintains cabinet unity a clear united cabinet.

Best example that individual ministerial responsibility maintains as ministers resign when their department has failed?

Estelle Morris (2002)- Resigned as Education Secretary after a series of failures in the Department for Education, including problems with A level grading, She admitted she had not been ‘up for the job’, taking responsibility for departmental shortcomings.

Best example that individual ministerial responsibility is dead as ministers do not resign when the department has failed?

Priti Patel (2020)- Remained as Home Secretary depite a formal investigation finding that she had breached the ‘ministerial code’ through bullying staff. There was also failings in her department regarding illegal migration and Chanel crossings.

Best example proving that individual ministerial responsibility remains as ministers take responsibility for their personal conduct and resign when they break the code?

Amber Rudd (2018)- Resigned as Home Secretary over Windrush Scandal, taking responsibility for her department’s failings and her personal role in misleading Parliament

Best example to prove that IMR is dead as ministers do not resign depite their conduct breaking ministerial code?

Priti Patel (2020-23)- She faced criticism for misleading Parliament over Windrush deportations and the Rwanda asylum scheme, but she didn’t resign, showing IMR is dead

Best example proving that collective ministerial responsibility remains as ministers resign when they disagree with government policies.

Robin Cook (2003)- He resigned from the Cabinet over the UK’s governments decision to go to war with Iraq, a policy he fundamentally disagreed with. Under CMR all ministers must publicly support Cabinet decisions, even if they publicly disagree. If they don’t the best cause of action is to resign.

Best example proving that CMR is dead as ministers do not resign when despite disagreeing with the government/ do not keep private conversations private?

Boris Johnson (2018)- Pushed the boundary of CMR before resigning. E.g he wrote a column in the Daily Telegraph, which laid out a different vision of Brexit, to that of Theresa May. Also he told the Daily Mail that May’s plans were ‘totally untried’. Boris resigned on 9th of July 2018, stating he could not agree with the PM’s chequers plan.

3 ways collective ministerial responsibility has come under pressure since 1979

• Ministers disagree publicly but stay in the cabinet

• Temporary suspension of convention of CMR

• Leaks in the media

Example of ministers disagreeing publicly but staying in the cabinet and how that has put CMR under pressure since 1979?

Boris Johnson (2018)- On numerous occasions he expressed feelings of criticism to Theresa May’s Brexit Plan

This is significant as it breaks the rule of ‘resign’ if you disagree. However Boris did later resign but this was after all the damage he caused

Example of Temporary Suspension of CMR and how that has put CMR under pressure since 1979?

David Cameron (2016)- He suspended CMR to allow cabinet ministers to campaign on either side of the leave or Remain debate

This is significant as it sets the notion that collective responsibility can be set aside for political conveinence. Weakening its authority as a core constitutional principle

Example of Leaks in the Media and how that has put CMR under pressure since 1979?

Danny Alexander (2010-15)- During the coalition government Alexander of the Lib Dems, leaked cabinet tensions and disagreement over spending cuts, to The Guardian in 2015

This is significant as it shows lack of trust and discipline in the government

2 criterion to assess whether the British PM is becoming ‘Presidential’?

Personalised Leadership- Political focus shifts to the PM as a person, their character, popularity, and personal vision shape the whole government

Spatial Leadership- When the PM distances themself not only from their party, but also cabinet, portraying themselves as an independent.

Best example to prove that the PM has become more associated as an individual with decisions, seemingly having a personal mandate?

Tony Blair (2003)- Blair become personally associated with the decision to join the US in invading Iraq in 2003. He framed the intervention as a ‘moral and personal responsibility’, often using language like ‘ I believe’ and ‘I know I’m right’

Best example to prove that the PM fails to dominate leadership as an individual? (not a good leader)

Theresa May (2016-19)- May repeatedly failed to get her Brexit deal through Parliament, suffering 3 historic defeats on the EU Withdrawal Agreement. She was unable to unite her cabinet or control her party, showing that she lacked personal authority. Eventually she resigned

Best example to prove the PM effectively distancing themselves from the government/ cabient?

Tony Blair (2003)- Blair made the decision to join the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, largely based on his personal judgement and close relationship with George W. Bush. Many Cabinet ministers and civil servants were opposed, but Blair pushed forward. In Parliament he was using phrases like ‘I believe it is the best thing to do’

Best example to prove the PM is unable to distance themselves from government/ cabinet?

Theresa May (2016-19)- Her handling of Brexit. Many disagreed with her Brexit deal, but she had to own the entire outcome. She isn’t able to say ‘this was the cabinets failure’ because the PM is seen as the head of collective government decisions.

Best example to prove that the PM is able to control the media spotlight and make themselves the voice of the people?

Boris Johnson (2019)- Ran a highly personalised media campaign, centered on ‘Getting Brexit Done’. A simple direct slogan that resonated with the public

Best example the PM is unable to control the media spotlight and make themselves the voice of the people?

Gordon Brown (2010)- During the 2010 general election campaign, Brown was trying to connect with ordinary voters. After a seemingly polite conversation with Gillian Duffy, Brown got into his car and called her a ‘bigoted woman’, and this was caught by a live microphone. This was immediately picked up by rhe media, dominating headlines and damaging Brown’s image

3 factors which can influence policy making by PM/cabinet?

• Response to Crisis

• Changing Social Attitudes

• Personal Conviction of PM

Example of Response to Crisis and how that can influence policy-making by PM/Cabient?

COVID 19- The government invoked the CoronaVirusAct 2020, allowing swift introductions of lockdowns, business closures and social distancing rules without the normal parliamentary scrutiny

Example of changing social attitudes and how that can influence policy-making by the PM/Cabinet?

David Cameron (2013)- With increasing liberal views in society in relation to gender/same sex marriages, Cameron was able to pass the Marriage Act 2013, legalising same sex marriages in the UK

Example of personal conviction of the PM and how that can influence policy-making by the PM/Cabinet?

Tony Blair (2003)- Blair constanly stated that he believed ‘it was the best thing to do’, and he often repeated language like ‘I Know I’m right’