Structure, Power & Roles of the Executive (Edexcel A Level Politics): Revision Note

The structure of the UK Executive

• The executive is the branch of government responsible for running the country and making policy

Prime Minister (PM)

• The Head of Government, responsible for overall direction of the executive

• Appoints ministers, chairs Cabinet, sets strategic priorities, represents the UK globally

• Leads the Cabinet and has significant authority over policy, communication, and political strategy

Cabinet Ministers

• Senior ministers in charge of major government departments such as the Department for Education and Department for Health

• Responsible for collective government policy discussions and high-level decision-making

Junior Ministers

• Ensure that departments function daily and manage detailed policy work

• Answer questions in Parliament

• Support Cabinet ministers

Government departments (including the Civil Service)

• Responsible for delivering public services and implementing policy

• Headed by a Cabinet Secretary of State and supported by junior ministers and civil servants

The roles of the UK Executive

• The Prime Minister and cabinet have a number of key roles to ensure the smooth running of the UK government

1. Proposing legislation

• The executive controls most of the parliamentary timetable and introduces the majority of bills into Parliament

2. Proposing the budget

• The Chancellor presents the annual Budget to Parliament, outlining spending, taxation, and borrowing plans, setting the economic strategy for the government

3. Making policy decisions and secondary legislation

• The PM and Cabinet sets strategic policy direction, developing and implementing policies across areas such as health, defence, education and transport

• Although policy can be proposed through legislation, the executive can also create policy within departments to achieve the aim of legislation

  • For example, PM Johnson’s executive made rapid policy announcements over Covid-19 such as the introduction of furlough

4. Conducting foreign policy

• The executive have control over diplomacy, international agreements, military action and relations with other states

  • For example, The UK signed the Windsor Framework under Sunak, reshaping post-Brexit relations with the EU

• This includes the movement of troops and declarations of war or other military operations (although Prime Ministers may choose to get the approval of Parliament for this)

5. Crisis management

• The executive must respond to unforeseen circumstances such as pandemics, economic shocks or security events

The powers of the UK Executive

• Whilst the UK executive is collective – meaning that it includes the Prime Minister and cabinet – sometimes these powers are seen as being exercised by the Prime Minister alone

• To allow it to carry out its roles, the executive has a range of powers

1. Royal prerogative powers

• Historic powers are exercised by ministers on behalf of the Monarch, allowing the executive to act without parliamentary approval

  • PM Sunak used prerogative powers to sign the Windsor Framework with the EU, revising the Northern Ireland Protocol

2. Foreign affairs

• Government have the right to negotiate treaties, recognise states, and deploy armed forces

  • In 2024, PM Sunak authorised air strikes on Yemen without parliamentary approval (although this did raise some controversy!)

3. Deployment of armed forces

• The PM can commit troops without parliamentary approval

  • In 2021, the UK deployed forces for the Afghanistan evacuation under PM Johnson without a prior vote

4. Ministerial appointments

• The PM can appoint and dismiss ministers

  • PM Sunak appointed Jeremy Hunt as Chancellor immediately upon taking office

5. Initiation of legislation and control of the legislative timetable

• The executive controls most of the parliamentary agenda and proposes the majority of bills

  • In 2022, PM Truss prioritised her mini-Budget tax reforms, bypassing OBR scrutiny

6. Control of the Budget

• The Chancellor presents the Budget and Spending Review, giving the executive strong fiscal control

7. Patronage and party management

• The PM can reward loyalty with promotions, enforcing government unity

  • In 2021, PM Johnson promoted those loyal to him in his cabinet reshuffle including Nadine Dorries at the Department of Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS)