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6 Cards in this Set
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The Cabinet |
. A committee of leading members of the government . Normally 20-23 formal members (secretaries of state) who run departments . It's hierarchical (a 'pecking order') with the Chancellor of Exchequer, Foreign Minister, Home Secretary etc - A deputy PM has been a feature of the recent coalition . Honorific titles, like First Secretary of State, can be given for the most trusted members of the cabinet - E.g Damien Green in June 2017 . There's often an inner circle of ministers/advisers . Cabinets meet at PM's digression, usually Wednesday or Thursday mornings |
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Inner circle examples 1 |
. 1967 Harold Willson's 'Prime Ministerial Government' - a term first used by Barbara Castle, describing a government run by the PM and not the Cabinet . Thatcher's 'kitchen cabinet' from 1979-90 - She had strong perceptions of leading the party but was ultimately ditched by her Cabinet, suggesting her perceptions were too strong . 1997-2007, Tony Blair's 'sofa politics' and 'denocracy' - these did not involve all the Cabinet |
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Inner circle examples 2 |
. Cameron's 'Quad' 2010-15 - Consisted of Cameron, George Osborne, Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander . 2016-17, May's initial No 10 advisers, Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy - They organised the snap election and days after the election result, May is forced to sack them by her Cabinet - an example of PM limits due to no majority |
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Role of the Cabinet 1 |
. A huge gulf between theory and practice - Constitutional theory, is that cabinet is the top collective body of the UK executive and that the Cabinet is the highest decision making forum (cabinet government) . The reality, is that cabinets have lost out to the powers of the PMs - E.g Blair instigated 1, from 2, cabinet meetings per week |
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Role of the Cabinet 2 |
. Formal policy approval - No policy can be official government policy without cabinet approval - Convention of collective responsibility . Policy coordination - a key role of a modern cabinet, a 'joined-up government' and necessary for individual ministerial and department leadership . Resolve disputes - Most disputes between ministers and departments are settled at a lower level, however cabinet can serve as a sort of final 'court of appeal' |
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Role of the Cabinet 3 |
. Forum for debate - PM and members can use the cabinet as a sounding board to raise issues or stimulate discussion, E.g Hard vs Soft Brexit . Party management - the cabinet is a good 'litmus test' of views and morale in the party, explaining why the Chief Whip is a member and possibly explains May's election . Symbol of collective government - It's vital for any government in maintaining a collective 'face' (collective ministerial responsibility and individual ministerial responsibility) |
