A LevelPoliticsEdexcelExam Questions2. UK Government & Non-Core Political Ideas2.3 Prime Minister & Executive

Prime Minister & Executive (Edexcel A Level Politics): Exam Questions

Exam code: 9PL0

2 hours4 questions
1
30 marks

Look at Source

Source looks at the relationship between the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

The Cabinet is the senior decision-making body in government. As described by the Cabinet Manual, the Cabinet is ‘the ultimate judge of all government policy’ and ‘decisions made at Cabinet and Cabinet Committee level are binding on all members of the government’.

Yet there is now a general view that Cabinet always agrees decisions already made elsewhere by important ministers, rather than being a setting for real discussion. But this can depend on the approach of the Prime Minister running the discussion. Some argue that key decisions are now taken outside of Cabinet, with different Prime Ministers using Cabinet Committees, bilateral meetings or inner Cabinets of trusted allies and advisers. Added to this, Prime Ministers can use their power to appoint politicians who are loyal and share their ideological preferences and remove opponents from Cabinet. Prime Ministers can also use collective ministerial responsibility to control ministers.

Prime Ministers rely on the support of Cabinet to get their policies delivered and importantly for their job. Powerful ministers may be in a position to block or even reverse the policies of the Prime Minister. In particular, unpopular Prime Ministers, with divided parties, need to maintain a balanced Cabinet and keep ministers on their side. Cabinet resignations, especially from key posts, can weaken the power of the Prime Minister and even force them out of their job. Leaks from ministers to the press about the private discussions of Cabinet can undermine the Prime Minister. The power to hire and fire ministers can be used to reinforce discipline but can work against the Prime Minister by sending rivals to the backbenches. Ministers can also refuse demotions, threatening to resign if not kept in place.

(Source from: https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/cabinet https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/government-reshuffles)

Using the source, evaluate the view that power lies mainly with the Prime Minister rather than Cabinet.

In your response you must:

  • compare and contrast the different opinions in the source

  • examine and debate these views in a balanced way

  • analyse and evaluate only the information presented in the source.

How did you do?

2
30 marks

Evaluate the view that the concepts of individual ministerial responsibility and collective ministerial responsibility are both still important.

In your answer you should draw on relevant knowledge and understanding of the study of Component 1: UK Politics and Core Political Ideas. You must consider this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way.

How did you do?

3
30 marks

Evaluate the view that since 2010 the UK has seen a return to cabinet government.

In your answer you should draw on relevant knowledge and understanding of the study of Component 1: UK politics and core political ideas. You must consider this view and the alternative to this view in a balanced way.

How did you do?

4
30 marks

This source is adapted from the House of Commons Political and Constitutional Reform Committee report entitled the ‘Role and powers of the Prime Minister’ published in 2014. This examines whether there is adequate public understanding and clarity about the Prime Minister’s role and powers, and whether the checks and balances on those powers are sufficient.

Prime Ministers have significant powers of patronage such as appointing ministers. They set the Cabinet agenda and are able to control the Cabinet - including deciding who chairs the most important Cabinet committees. If a Prime Minister is an electoral asset, they are fairly secure in office and, as long as they have the support of their closest allies in Cabinet and a large Commons majority, they face very few limits to their power.

However, Prime Ministers cannot appoint whoever they want to Cabinet. They must reflect the balance of party opinion and appoint the 'big beasts', as it's better to have them 'inside the tent rather than outside’. Theresa May had to retain a balance of ' Brexiteers' and 'Remainers’ in her Cabinet, reflecting Conservative Party divisions.

Prime Ministers can be brought down by their party. Tony Blair was arguably forced to resign. Margaret Thatcher resigned after losing the support of her Cabinet, when her ‘Poll Tax’ was rejected by the public. Prime Ministers with small majorities, or no majority, cannot take Parliament for granted. Theresa May avoided votes in Parliament which she expected to lose and the Commons prevented Cameron from going to war over Syria.

(Source: adapted from https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ cm201415/cmselect/cmpolcon/351/351.pdf)

Using the source, evaluate the view that Prime Ministers have too much power.

In your response you must:

  • compare and contrast different opinions in the source

  • examine and debate these views in a balanced way

  • analyse and evaluate only the information presented in the source.

How did you do?