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The Prime Minister and Cabinet Chapter 2.3 - Coggle Diagram
The Prime Minister and Cabinet
Chapter 2.3
Relationship between cabinet and PM
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
Selection of ministers
The power to appoint, reshuffle and dismiss ministers belong exclusively to the PM
Exception: May 2010, Cameron allowed Lib Dems 5 of the 22 Cabinet posts, nominations and replacements to these controlled by Nick Clegg instead.
The composition of a Cabinet depends on a range of considerations
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
Balance of power between Cabinet and PM
The Cabinet remains and important body
Write essay plan and put topic sentences here
The PM is the dominant force in government
Write essay plan and put topic sentences here
Dictating events and policy
Prime Minister'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
Factors which may enhance or restrict the PM's powers
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
Influence of Prime Ministers