A* Notes of the UK Government part of the first paper UK Government and Politics. Includes following topics:
- The nature and sources of the British Constitution
- The structure and role of Parliament
- The Prime Minister and cabinet
- The judiciary
- Devolution
- The European Union
Primus Inter Pares:
• (by Walter Bagehot 1963) -> means ‘first among equals’. Implied:
o PMs = ‘First’ -> primary representatives of gov both in relation to monarch + through
right to be consulted about all significant policy issues
o PMs = ‘Among equals’ -> all members of cabinet had equal influence over decisions
Core executive:
• The collective term for the key players in government policy making
• It comprises the PM, cabinet & its various committees, senior civil servants + the Cabinet Office
Hierarchy of Cabinet Ministers:
• Secretaries of state: cabinet ministers in charge of a gov department
• Ministers of state: junior to SoS but senior to other ministers + PPSs: not usually in cabinet
(exception = chief of secretary to the Treasury)
• Parliamentary under-secretaries of state: junior to MoS + aren’t members of cabinet but can
serve on cabinet committees
• Parliamentary private secretaries (PPSs): unpaid ‘eyes + ears’ for senior ministers (officially not
members of gov)
Joined up government:
• A policy to make different departments in the same gov work together
, BACKGROUND
- The executive = technically responsible for executing/implementing gov policy
- BUT role = much wider + more significant -> chief source of political leadership + controls policy
process -> EXECUTIVE GOVERNS
- The PM is head of the executive, chair of the cabinet + in charge of the civil service
In the UK:
• Legislature = Parliament (HoC + HoL)
• Executive = the government, PM, Cabinet + government deputies
• It is a parliamentary government (our gov is drawn from our legislature)
In the US:
• Legislature = Congress (senate + house of representatives)
• Judiciary = supreme courts
• In order to be President, you have to give up place in senate
• Presidential government
2 parts:
• Political executive (‘gov of the day’) -> composed of ministers, job = take overall responsibility
for direction + coordination of gov policy
• Office executive (bureaucracy) -> composed of civil servants, job = provide policy advice +
implement gov policy
Core executive:
• See glossary
• Output of CE scrutinised by P which has control over legislation
• Connection between P & CE = party system, particularly Government Whips, who work to
ensure the Government’s majority in P operates effectively
• Major gov department e.g. Foreign Affairs + Treasury have political control exercised through a
Cabinet Minister, combined with administrative control through a Permanent Secretary drawn
from civil service
ORIGINS OF THE PRIME MINISTERS OFFICE:
- Originated with George I, when he became reluctant to attend + chair cabinet meetings his First
Lord of the Treasury deputised him → became PM
- Notable early PMs = Robert Walpole 1721-42 → George I’s 1st LoT, William Pitt the Younger =
youngest PM ever (24)
- Until 80s, PM position didn’t have official recognition → PM = technically First Lord of The
Treasury
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller evesibley. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £4.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
