PM and executive

Who is head of the executive branch

Prime Minister

How many different elements is the executive made up of

4

What are the different elements of the executive

PM

THE CABINET

JUNIOUR MINISTERS AND AIDES

CIVIL SERVANTS

What is the cabinet made up of

heads of all the government departments and other senior ministers appointed by the PM

What is junior ministers and aides

They work within each government department

What are civil servants

Unelected impartial policy experts

How many roles does the executive have in running the country

4

What are the 4 key roles in running the country

MILITARY DEFENCE

FORMULATING POLICY

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

SETTING THE ANUAL BUDGET

What is the executives power in forming legislation

proposing legislation

What does the executive propose to parliament in the form of bills?

primary legislation

What happens if the executive has a large majority in the commons

It is fairly easy to pass legislation through

What happens if the executive has a slim or minority government

It is very difficult to pass legislation through the commons

Why can passing laws through the HOL be much more difficult

because there is no party majority in the HOL

What power does the executive branch in international relations

Negotiating and signing treaties and trade agreements

How does the executive shape the UKs foreign policy

by agreeing on international agreements and trade deals without having to consult parliament

What does the foreign Secretary do

has a key role in diplomacy and often does the oversea visits on behalf of the PM

What are the 2 powers of the executive in military intervention

Deployment of troops and declaration of war

Ordering military action such as air strikes

What have recent PMs done to do with military intervention

held a vote in the commons even though they do not have to

What is setting the annual budget

executive proposes at least one formal budget in the HOC each year

Who is the budget set and presented by?

Chancellor of the Exchequer

What are some of the PMs powers called

prerogative powers

What are prerogative powers?

powers the PM has inherited from the monarch

What are the 5 examples of prerogative powers

patronage

negotiating treaties

trade agreements

dissolving parliament

troop deployment

What is patronage power

the power to appoint and dismiss ministers and recommend appointments to the HOL

What can dissolving parliament do

It means that the PM can hold another GE

What can prerogative powers be used without

Scrutiny or permission from parliament

What does patronage power do to the PM

gives them a significant amount of unchecked power over parliament

What is an example of unchecked power used by a PM

Theresa May was able to launch air strikes without holding a vote in the commons

What does the extent of a PM power depend on

Whether they have a majority or minority government