The Executive
cabinet
An informal network of actors and bodies that play a key role in the policy process
Prime Minister
introduction to Cabinet
Key Relationships of the prime minister are with :
prime ministerial government
Comprises usually of 20-23 formal members but many more attend cabinet meetings. Advisers, whips and civil servants are all allowed to attend cabinet meetings if invited.
merged with the legislature
Theory that states the Prime Minister dominates the cabinet
Theories of Executive power
Cabinet Government: Traditional view of the United Kingdom executive, emphasizes that power is collective not personal.
There are a standard of 19 consistent and major departments which all need a minister but also departments can be created and removed by Prime Minister's such as the Olympic departments and the department for exiting the European union.
Prime-ministerial Government: This theory advocates prime-ministerial domination of Government and its day to day functions.
Presidentialism: The separation of the Executive within Government this became increasingly prominent within Thatcher and Blair administrations.
The cabinet, individual ministers and government departments
Main bodies in core executive
The people, often through the mass media
His or her party and, through it, with Parliament
Core executive: An informal network of bodies and actors at the core of the Government which play key roles in the formulation of policy and the direction of Government.
to be a member of the executive you must also be a member of Parliament
functions: making governments, directing government policy, managing the cabinet system, organizing government, controlling Parliament, providing national leadership
Powers: the power to hire and fire, the ability to manage the cabinet, leadership of the party, institutional supports, access to the media.
Their also are also varying potions within the cabinet such as the deputy Prime Minister often only used if their is coalition such as in 2010
role of the Cabinet
Cabinet Government
the Prime Minister is the leader of the largest party in the House of Commons
A committee of the leading members of the government but may not always be used by the Prime minister for most of their functions and will instead use informal meetings with only select members such a the 'kitchen cabinets.
In theory
constraints on the prime minister: the cabinet, the party, the media, the electorate. the pressure of events, the electorate
In practice
The cabinet is the top body in the United Kingdom executive the highest decision making forum.
Cabinet gov is one of the key constitutional principles within the United Kingdoms political system. It developed in the 19th century alongside the convention of collective responsibility.
The United Kingdom therefore has a system of cabinet government based on the convention of collective ministerial responsibility
Cabinet government has three central features
The cabinet 'fuses' the executive and legislative branches of government, as its members head government departments but are also drawn from and accountable to Parliament.
Feature 1:PM fuses the legislative and executive branches of government, in that he or she is drawn from and accountable to parliament and also, as chief executive, controls the administrative machinery of government.
Feature 2: The PM dominates the policy process, making major decisions and exerting influence in all areas.
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The cabinet is the senior executive organ. It controls the policy-making process and makes all major government decisions.
Feature 3: The cabinet is a subordinate body that is no longer a meaningful policy -making organ but a source of advice and support.
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