Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
10 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Formal powers |
. No codified constitution means most powers derive from Royal Prerogative . Appointing ministers, top judges, bishops, ambassadors etc . Dissolve and recall parliament (limited by the Fixed Term PA) . Sign and negotiate treaties, E.g Brexit . Grant honors - titles, seats in the House of Lords |
|
|
Wider and the informal powers |
. Powers of persuasion and influence . The apex of crucial sets of relationships : . E.g the Cabinet, individual ministers and government departments - Their party and, through it, with parliament - individual influence over ministers - The people, often through the mass media |
|
|
Leadership Style |
. 'The post of the prime minister is whatever it's holder chooses and is able to make of it' - Asquith, PM 1908-16 . Personality . How the holder sees the job of PM - John Major had a collegiate leadership, whilst Thatcher had an authoritarian leadership . The PM power ultimately depends on what they are able to wield - Office depends upon the powers and constraints of the PM as well as the size of their majority . Thatcher changed the political spectrum but she got knifed by her Cabinet as she was too authoritarian and didn't converse over issues with everyone in her Cabinet |
|
|
Patronage |
. Links to strengths and weaknesses . Promotion of loyal supporters with shared ideologies . Promotion/demotion as a means of keeping rivals and critics at bay . The fact that PMs control political careers of ministers (including backbenchers) Is important for maintaining loyalty and discipline |
|
|
PM discipline examples 1 |
. Thatcher (from 1979-83) transformed her cabinet - She removed 'the wets' (One Nation conservatives, didn't want reform) and replaced them with Thatcherites . Only half of Blair's 1997 cabinet was still in place by the 2001 election - His high majority helped him get rid of people he didn't like . In 2007, on becoming PM, Brown's cabinet reshuffle was the largest in 100 years - 11 ministers stood down or were sacked |
|
|
PM discipline examples 2 |
. In 2016, on becoming PM, May sacked key Cameron supporters such as Nicky Morgan . 'Winning' in June 2017 prevented a large reshuffle (although Gove is back) - sign of Gove's strength as a backbencher or May's weakness |
|
|
Limits to patronage 1 |
. All ministers must be MPs or peers . All ministers (or the vast majority) must come from the majority party . Party unity requires an ideological and political balance within the cabinet - May has had to keep/include members post-June's result, e.g Philip Hammond and Michael Gove |
|
|
Limits to patronage 2 |
. Particular groups need to be represented (e.g 5 of 23 are women) . Opponents may be less dangerous in the cabinet (collective ministerial responsibility) - Such as Boris Johnson and Gove . The advent of coalition government meant hiring and firing was limited by the need to maintain the Coalition and include Nick Clegg . The state of the economy - No money = little patronage - Nicky Morgan had the patronage of Cameron, MP in 2010 to Cabinet Minister by 2015 |
|
|
Cabinet management 1 |
. PMs have considerable scope for controlling the cabinet and Cabinet system . They chair cabinet meetings . Convene cabinet meetings and determine timings . Decide the number and nature of Cabinet committees/sub-committees - forming government business within smaller communities
|
|
|
Cabinet management 2 |
. Since the 1950s the number and duration has dwindled, 100 per year to 40 - a decline of Cabinet government . Thatcher, Blair and Cameron's used them to address, rather than discuss . Blair and Cameron both preferred bilateral discussions, or Cabinet sub-committees for discussion/debate |
