British Government

Overview of the British Government

Definition of Government

  • Definition: A government is a political organization made up of individuals and institutions authorized to formulate public policies and conduct the affairs of the state. (Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009)

Components of Government

  • Wider Sense:

    • The Legislative

    • The Executive

    • The Judiciary

Narrow Sense of Government

  • Refers to the administrative body that governs the country, represented by the Prime Minister and his Cabinet.

Structure of Government in Britain

Parliamentary Democracy

  • Head of State: The Monarch is the head of state but does not govern. The governing power is given to the leader of the majority party.

  • Majority Party: The party controlling more than 50% of the parliamentary seats. If no party has a majority, a coalition is formed with another party of similar politics and ideology.

  • Prime Minister Responsibilities: Appoints members to the Cabinet (26 ministers).

Role of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

  • Roles are largely dictated by convention.

  • Prime Minister's Role: The Sovereign advisor, chairs the Cabinet, organizes government, and implements government policy—a promise made to the electorate during the election campaign.

  • Cabinet Meeting: The Cabinet meets every Tuesday at 10 Downing Street to discuss daily issues, maintaining the same tradition since 1856.

  • Fusion of Power: Since the PM and Cabinet members are also part of Parliament, they can easily pass legislation due to their majority control.

Key Positions Within the Government

  • The four Great Offices of State:

    • The Prime Minister

    • The Chancellor of the Exchequer

    • The Foreign Secretary

    • The Home Secretary

Principles of Cabinet Government

Features of Cabinet Government

  1. Collective Responsibility: The Cabinet acts as a single entity in policy decisions, even if individual ministers disagree. Disagreement may lead to resignation.

  2. Ministerial Responsibility: Ministers are accountable for their department's actions and answer to Parliament.

Function of the Opposition

  • Role of Opposition Party:

    • Provide constructive criticism, amend government bills, and publicize its policies to win future elections.

  • Shadow Government: Forms a Cabinet that sits in opposition but does not actively govern.

Devolution of Power

  • Regions such as Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and Greater London now have their own parliaments or assemblies due to devolution.

Parliamentary Seating Arrangement

  • House of Commons:

    • Government benches are on the right; opposition benches are on the left.

    • Leaders (PM and Leader of the Opposition) and their supporters (frontbenchers) sit on the front benches, while ordinary MPs without special roles sit as backbenchers behind them.