The Prime Minister And the Cabinet

Don’t forget your triangle Executive Legislative Judiciary

Today Folks we are dealing with: The Executive (They Execute things)

Task In your own words describe what is meant by the Executive…..(clue we are dealing with the PM and their Cabinet here!!) If that is the Executive what is meant by the Core Executive?

THE CORE EXECUTIVE The term ‘core executive’ refers to the key institutions at the centre of Government It covers the PM, Cabinet and it’s Committees, The PMs Office, The Cabinet Office (which includes Treasury, Law Officers and security and intelligence services)

THE PRIME MINISTER How can we tell who the Prime Minister is? The Prime minister is a head of Government whose power normally derives from the leadership of the largest party in the legislature

Task In a Spider Diagram can you describe what the Prime Ministers role is?

Co-ordinating and directing The work of Government Chair of Cabinet Controls House of Commons Forming a Government Appoints Ministers etc. Supervision of the Civil Service Decides the date of a General Election Requests dissolution from Monarch, but this is a formality, therefore determining date of election A NATIONAL LEADER Represents the UK on the world stage, signs treaties etc. First Lord of the Treasury Therefore a keen interest in Economic affairs Defence and foreign affairs, plus of course national security

But also the Prime Minister enjoys Apart from a night in with Cherie “The Power of Patronage” Appoints the Cabinet (20-23 people) Ministers of State Under Secretaries of State Whips Attorney General / Solicitor General

Sooo how does one get selected? Well you have to be a member of the HoC or the HoL Selection from the PM himself or herself or thingy (Margaret) So it helps to curry favour……voting with the Government on issues Ability to hire and fire is the PMs single most powerful tool

Other powers of Patronage The creation of Peers The appointment of other Civil Servants Heads of Security Services Chairs of Royal Commission Recommendations on New Years honours List and Queens Birthday honours list Sir R. J. Endacott KPD has a certain ring to it!! (as Carter USM once sang….”for services to serious drinking I should get an OBE”!!)

Task Explain the power of Patronage (15 marks) Explain in detail the role of the Prime Minister (30 marks)