16. The Cabinet.

The Prime Minister (PM)

Role and appointment:

Head of the UK government.

Leader of the political party with the most seats in the House of Commons.

If no party has a majority, the leader of the party able to form a coalition becomes PM.

Formally appointed by the Monarch after a general election (or when a previous PM resigns/dies).

Usually a Member of Parliament (MP) sitting in the House of Commons.

Key responsibilities:

Oversees government operations and policy implementation.

Sets the overall policy direction and makes major national decisions.

Represents the UK domestically and internationally.

Leads the Cabinet and appoints/dismisses Cabinet members.

Holds the office of First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service.

Maintains the confidence of the House of Commons.

Location: 10 Downing Street (the PM’s official residence and office).

The Cabinet

Composition:

A group of senior government ministers selected by the PM.

Mostly heads of government departments (Secretaries of State).

Includes key positions such as:

Chancellor of the Exchequer (finance minister);

Home Secretary (interior minister);

Foreign Secretary (foreign minister).

May also include a small number of junior ministers.

All senior members are appointed as Privy Counsellors.

Meeting and decision‑making:

Meets regularly (usually weekly) to discuss major policy issues.

Makes collective decisions on government policy.

Operates under the principle of collective responsibility: all members must publicly support Cabinet decisions, even if they privately disagree.

Decisions are taken in the name of the Monarch (as Crown‑in‑Council) via Orders‑in‑Council.

Powers and Limitations

PM’s powers:

Shapes government policy and strategy.

Exercises prerogative powers (e.g., declaring war, signing treaties, appointing ministers).

Controls the Cabinet agenda and membership.

Limitations on PM and Cabinet:

Cannot enact laws without Parliament’s approval.

Subject to scrutiny and challenges by MPs and Lords.

Depends on maintaining the confidence of the House of Commons (a vote of no confidence can force resignation).

Individual ministers are responsible for their departments and can be held accountable by Parliament.

Relationship Between PM and Cabinet

The PM is the leader, but effective governance requires cooperation with Cabinet members.

The PM’s influence depends on:

Their party’s majority in the Commons;

The unity of the governing party;

Personal relationships and alliances within the Cabinet.

A PM with a large majority has more control than one leading a minority or coalition government.

Key Conventions

Collective responsibility — Cabinet members must publicly back government decisions.

Individual responsibility — Ministers are accountable to Parliament for their department’s actions.

Confidence of the Commons — The government must retain the support of the majority of MPs.

Criticisms and Reforms

Common criticisms:

Too much power concentrated in the PM’s hands.

Potential undermining of collective decision‑making.

Limited transparency in some areas.

Proposed reforms:

Increasing the role of backbench MPs.

Enhancing transparency in Cabinet meetings.

Strengthening collective decision‑making processes.