Prime Minister and the Cabinet

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At Westminister

-Prime ministers must be MP's 

-Must be a leader party

-Usually has a majority in the House of Commons though not always as in 2010 to 2015 it was the Coalition Government of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats 

POWERS OF THE PRIME MINISTER

appoints cabinet and goverment 

chairs cabinet meetings

controls information/agenda

leader of party 

control over civil service 

status of office 

strength of opposition

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Types of PM

Norton (1987) identified four main types of Prime Ministers:

Innovators, Reformers, Egoists and Balancers

Innovators fight to become PM in order to achieve some particular programme. if necessary they are prepared to push their party into supporting them and carrying out their goal. A leading example is Margaret Thatcher (1979-90) who pursed her goals often in the face of oppostion from her own party. 

Reformers try to achieve a particular programme however it is largely dictated by the Party itself. An example is Clement Attlee (1945-51) and the policies were all clearly laid out in the 1945 party manifesto- Let Us Face the Future. 

Egoists seek power for the sake of gaining it. They are concerned with current issues and protecting their position. Harold Wilson is an example who saw off several attempts by Cabinet Members to depose him.

Balancers maintain stablity and avoid tensions which prove divisive. They may have sought power or have been 'conscripted'. Examples include Harold MacMillan (1957-63) and James Callaghan (1976-79)

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Powers of Monarch

-appoints prime minister

-ends parliament for election

-sign acts of parliament 

-kept informed

-advise and warn 

PRIME MINISTERS OFFICE

private office, political office,policy unit and press office

FACTORS INFLUENCING POLICY

standing in party

party majority

media opinion

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Limits of Power

-limit to any individuals stamina or time such as family life

-dealing with party infighting

-dissent from within the Cabinet

-how much or little of a majority

POWERS OF THE PM

appoints and dismisses ministers, chairs cabinet meetings, controls Whitehall and dispenses honours an public appointments 

FUNCTION OF CABINET

determines or approves policy 

co-ordinates whole government machinery

resolves disputes

constrains PM power

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Cabinet Government

1) Prime Minister 2) Inner Cabinet 3) Cabinet 4) Government 5) Cabinet- Sub Committees

CABINET COMMITTEES

home and social affairs

social justice

economics affairs

defence and overseas 

europe committee

IMPLEMENTATION TASKFORCES

These were established by David Cameron to sit alongside Cabinet Committes and include:

housing, childcare, health and social care, troubled families, earn or learn, immigation

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Cabinet Office

- helps cabinet collectively to make policy 

-provides policy analysis across departments

-develops public services delivery and co-ordination

-provide corporate management and effciency 

-responsible for key central themes 

MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBLITY 

a minister is responsible for government policy, answerable in parliament, may be blamed for errors/mistakes and could be under pressure to resign 

COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBLITY 

cabinet is collectively responsible for all policies, cabinet members should not disagree in public, if a minister disagrees they may be required to resign and is an instrument of party discipline 

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