PM & Cabinet Flashcards Unit 2.

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  • Created by: bananaaar
  • Created on: 09-04-14 14:48
How many cabinet members in the uk?
20-25 senior politicians all appointed directly by PM.
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What must members of cabinet be?
Members of the HOC (MP's) or members of the HOL (peers. If a PM wants to appoint someone who is not an MP or a peer they must be granted a life peerage so they can sit in the Lords.
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What party are cabinet members from?
From governing party(s)
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How often do cabinet members meet?
Once a week unless there is a crisis or if a special extra meeting is needed.
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Who chairs cabinet meetings?
The PM, together with the Cabinet Secretary, the most senior civil servant.
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What are cabinet committees?
They deal in detail with specific areas of government policy. They have a small number of members (4-6) and are chaired by MP or senior cabinet minister. E.g. Defence, Education etc.
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What is a cabinet government?
Refers to the idea that the cabinet is the central decision making body and lies at the heart of government. Many argue that it has been replaced by prime ministerial governments.
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What are the minutes of cabinet meetings?
The detailed accounts. They have been secret for at least 30 years, however main cabinet decisions are widely known.
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What can MP do to cabinet members?
Re-shuffle to create new cabinet posts and demolish old ones and move ministers around departments. (e.g. Justine Greening was removed from transport cabinet member due to opposing Heathrow expansion.
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What is a core excecutive?
the name for collective identity of central government. It comprises the PM, cabinet, other ministers, senior advisors and senior civil servants.
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What is political leadership?
A general term applying to all those who hold senior positions in government. It applies mostsly to party leaders, ministers and other senior advisers.
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How many cabinet members from each party?
17 conservative, 5 lib dem. (e.g. Cameron, Osbourne as cons, and Vince Cable, Nick Clegg for lib dem.
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What is Vince Cable's position?
Secretary of state for business. (boosting jobs over country.)
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What is a senior non-cabinet post?
Attorney-general provides legal advice to government.
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Who is the attorney general?
Dominic Grieve QC.
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What are junior ministers?
Known as Ministers of State, they are subordinate to secretary of state, e.g. Minister of state for immigration is Mark Harper and the secretary of state for home is Theresa May.
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What are party whips?
They go around and try to stop MP's rebelling from party lines. E.g. Sir George Young tries to ensure party discipline by offering promotions to cabinet post or be put on a committee.
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What are prerogative powers?
The power delegated to PM from the monarch.
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What does primus inter pares mean?
'First among equals' - E.g. it is acknowledged that the PM is the most senior of the ministers and leads government, but is in the same position as any other minister.
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State and describe a cabinet committee?
Social Justice Committee consists of Iain Duncan Smith, Danny Alexander, Theresa May and Eric Pickles and looks at tackling issues around poverty, equality and social justice.
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Give an example of an ideologically united cabinet?
Tony Blair in 1997 or Thatcher in 1983.
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What is collective responsibility?
The principle that all gov ministers are collectively responsible for all the decisions of government. It also means ministers should publically support official policy or resign/face dismissal.
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What is individual responsibility?
The principle that each minister is responsible for the work of his department and must account for all its policies and decisions. Where serious errors are made, the minister may be required to resign. Ministers may also be asked resign(misconduct)
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Why is collective responsibility important?
Maintains gov unity, helps PM to maintain loyalty among his colleagues and prevents the opposition party from dividing the government.
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What are the requirements to be a PM?
Must be a member of westminster parliament, must be a leader of a political party, their party should normally be the majority party in the Commons.
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What are formal powers of PM?
Those that every PM gets whatever the circumstances. These are prerogative powers that have been delegated from the monarch.
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Informal powers of PM?
They vary according to the political circumstances of the PM - all office holders have them but not in equal measure.
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What is the power of patronage?
The power to politically appoint ministers etc.
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What is presidentialism?
The theory that British PM's have effectively become presidents even though they are not head of state.
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What is spatial leadership?
It suggests that the PM is increasingly sepetared from government and is seen as a lone figure, like a president.
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When did Thatcher Rule?
1979-1990.
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When did John Major Rule?
1990-1997.
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When did Blair Rule?
1997-2007.
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When did Brown rule?
2007-2010.
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When was James Callaghan kicked out by a vote of no confidence?
1979.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What must members of cabinet be?

Back

Members of the HOC (MP's) or members of the HOL (peers. If a PM wants to appoint someone who is not an MP or a peer they must be granted a life peerage so they can sit in the Lords.

Card 3

Front

What party are cabinet members from?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How often do cabinet members meet?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Who chairs cabinet meetings?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

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