The Prime Minister and Cabinet
Chapter 2.3

Relationship between cabinet and PM

Selection of ministers

Balance of power between Cabinet and PM

Dictating events and policy

Influence of Prime Ministers

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The power to appoint, reshuffle and dismiss ministers belong exclusively to the PM

The composition of a Cabinet depends on a range of considerations

Exception: May 2010, Cameron allowed Lib Dems 5 of the 22 Cabinet posts, nominations and replacements to these controlled by Nick Clegg instead.

Establishing a PM's authority

  • PM might make radical changes to the team in order to assert their own authority

Rewarding loyalty and including key allies- but also conciliating potential rivals

  • It is politically wise to occupy potentially troublesome MPs with senior posts, even if this means handling tensions within the team
  • Limitation on PM

The importance of including individuals with ability and experience

  • Don't have unlimited people to choose from, alway some 'natural backbenchers
  • General ability as an administrator and communicator is more important than detailed knowledge of a policy area since civil servants provide becessary specialist support
  • A PM who comes to office by winning a leadership contest will usually include their defeated rivals in recognition

Maintaining uniting and a balance between different factions within the governing party by appointing those with different ideological views

Meeting expectations of diversity

The Cabinet is formally responsible for decision making
However, more recently decisions are taken elsewhere. some believe the executive is dominated too much by the PM

Presidential government
An executive dominated by one individual. This may be a president but can
explain a strong, dominant PM

Therefore less dependent on the Cabinet

Changes to their relationship

The use of Cabinet committees and informal groups to take decisions

  • PM's make use of Cabinet committees to take decisions, which are later ratified by the full cabinet
  • By choosing the membership of these committees and taking the chair of the most important one, they can exercise control
  • Many decisions are taken in smaller, informal groups, or in bilateral meetings involving the PM and one colleague

The development of the PM's office and the Cabinet Office

  • No official 'Prime Ministers Department' but the PM has access to more resources than other ministers since 10 Downing street is staffed by civil servants and special advisers from the governing party
  • The Press Office, which handles the governments presentation in the media also works closely with the PM
  • The capacity to get the government's message across remains an important function of the Downing Street machine

The PM's ability to set the agenda

  • Decisions are rarely taken in Cabinet by holding a vote, views of senior figures command more weight and most ministers will be too concerned with their individual responsibilities to challenge the consensus view
  • PM has traditional right to chair the meeting and to sum up at the end
  • PM can also keep certain items off the agenda

The impact of the wider political and economic situation

  • The degree to which the PM can dominate the cabinet is affected by a variety of external pressures
  • A PM with a large parliamentary majority and a united party will find it much easier to gain ascendancy
  • Popularity with the public, a booming economy and the ability to master events are all important

The management skills of the PM
The right to appoint and dismiss ministers can be used to reshape the top team, to remove poor performers, bring in new blood and marginalise opponents

The Cabinet remains and important body

The PM is the dominant force in government

Prime Minister's powers

Factors which may enhance or restrict the PM's powers

Responsibility for the overall shape and structure of government, including the number and functions of government departments

Leadership of the largest party in the House of Commons

Direction of government policy, with a special responsibility for economic and foreign policy and for decisions to use military force

Management of Cabinet, including chairing its meetings, controlling the agenda and summing up its conclusions

Providing natural leadership and representing the UK in international affairs

Appointment, reshuffling and dismissal of government ministers

The personality and leadership style of the Prime Minister

The impact of external pressures such as the state of the economy and unforeseen crises in foreign affairs

The extent to which the governing party and Cabinet are united

The popularity of the Prime Minister and size of the governing party's parliamentary majority

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