The functions of the cabinet

What can happen within the cabinet?

Intense debate and disagreement

What does the PM expect ministers to do outside the cabinet?

Publicly support the governments decisions and policies based on collective ministerial responsibility

What should a cabinet member do if they cannot publicly agree to a policy ?

resign and join the back benches where they can criticise the government

Where are many decisions taken?

Outside the executive

What is the role of the cabinet in decisions that are taken outside of the cabinet?

The cabinet must approve them

What is the cabinet important for ?

maintaining the unity of the government

What is the cabinet a key forum for?

Legitimising decisions

What does the cabin determine?

Key issues of policy

In 1976 what did James Callaghan allow the cabinet to freely debate?

Whether to debate a loan from the International Monetary Fund

What should the cabinet determine?

Business

What does the chief whip need to explain if there is a controversial topic?

Whether there is sufficient government majority

Who does the cabinet resolve disputes between?

Between two different departments

When was the cabinet significant as a “final court of appeal”

during the 2010-2015 coalition

What do PMs appoint to develop and implement specific policy?

Cabinet Committees

How does the PM appointing cabinet committees enhances authority?

PM determines the membership and decides the number and remit of the committees

In what way is the PM limited in who he chooses for the cabinet?

If there are high up politicians- they are expected to be in the cabinet

Who did Sunak have to appoint to the cabinet due to their expertise ?

Jeremy Hunt

why is the PM pressured to appoint influential and dominant personalities?

Gain public and parliamentary support (eg Sunak appointed Bravellerman to appease right wing of party and May- Johnson)

Who is a PM likely to advance into the cabinet?

Allies

which loyal supporters did Truss appoint?

Kwakiutl Kwarteng and Theresa Coffrey

Why should a PM appoint potential rivals?

Binds them to Collective Ministerial Responsibility

Which rival to May have in her cabinet?

Johnson

What does a PM need to do to ensure unity and avoid alienating certain sections of society?

balance their cabinet

Why did May have to have a balanced cabinet?

Conservatives were split over Brexit and so needed representation from both sides (Johnson- leave) (Amber Rudd-Remain)

Why was Cameron restricted in the appointments he could make to cabinet?

2010-15 coalition- had to give 5 of positions to Lib Dem’s

Who did May advance in her cabinet?

Females and ethnic minority

What are the two types of government?

1. Prime Ministerial Government
2. Cabinet government

What is the PM supposed to be in the cabinet ?

first among equals

Which government was seen as a “cabinet governments”?

Harold Wilson

What three initiatives did Blair introduce to increase Prime Ministerial Power ?

1. Position of chief of staff- coordinate gov policy
2. Establishment of the Prime Ministers Strategy unit and delivery unit- challenged autonomy of cabinet by monitoring them and setting targets
3. The press offie- prominent in gov ensuring Downing Street had control over how news stories were being presented and responded to.

In 2018 who refused a cabinet demotion?

Jeremy Hunt

Why did May lack the ability to dominate the cabinet ?

* Small majority
* Division over Brexit

During a crisis who will the PM need to discuss it with?

The cabinet