The Role of the Prime Minister & Cabinet (AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies): Revision Note

The role of the Prime Minister

• The Prime Minister is the Head of Government in the UK

  • They are normally the leader of the political party that has the support of the House of Commons

• The Prime Minister is almost always a Member of the House of Commons

  • They also act as a constituency MP, representing local voters

  • In the 19th century, it was common for Prime Ministers to sit in the House of Lords, but this is no longer the case

• In 2024, the Prime Minister was paid £166,786, which includes their MP’s salary

Recent UK Prime Ministers

What does the Prime Minister do?

Form and lead the government

• The Prime Minister appoints Cabinet ministers and junior ministers

  • They have the power to reshuffle, promote or dismiss ministers at any time

• The Prime Minister chairs Cabinet meetings and decide who attends and who chairs Cabinet committees

• They give overall policy direction to the government

Make appointments

• The Prime Minister makes appointments to a wide range of public bodies

  • For example, they recommend individuals to the monarch to become bishops of the Church of England

• They appoint political advisers who work with them in 10 Downing Street

  • These advisers help with strategy, media and policy coordination

Accountability and democracy

• The Prime Minister is accountable to Parliament

  • They must answer questions from MPs, especially at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs)

• They are responsible to Parliament for the actions of the whole government

• The Prime Minister can decide the date of the next general election

  • This power applies unless the House of Commons passes a vote of no confidence

National and international leadership

• The Prime Minister acts as a spokesperson for the UK

  • This includes representing the country at international summits and meetings

• During crises or major events, the Prime Minister speaks for the nation

  • For example, during the Covid pandemic, the Prime Minister addressed Parliament and the public on a regular basis

• This role has become more important due to globalisation and international cooperation

The role of the Cabinet

• The Cabinet is made up of the most senior members of the government

• Cabinet members hold their posts at the will of the Prime Minister

  • This means the Prime Minister can appoint, reshuffle or dismiss them at any time

• The Cabinet usually consists of around twenty senior ministers

  • These ministers receive an additional salary on top of their MP’s pay

  • It can include unpaid members or ministers invited to meetings for specific issues

    • This allows the Prime Minister to bring in relevant expertise when needed

Responsibilities of Cabinet ministers

• Each Cabinet minister is responsible for a major area of government business.

  • They lead a government department

Key Cabinet roles

• Within each department, Cabinet ministers are supported by junior ministers

  • These ministers help manage policy and answer questions in Parliament

Decision-making in the Cabinet

• The Cabinet meets regularly to discuss government policy and major national issues

  • Cabinet members advise the Prime Minister based on their areas of responsibility

• Cabinet decisions are usually made by discussion and agreement, not formal votes

  • At the end of a discussion, the Prime Minister summarises the decision

Collective responsibility

• Cabinet government operates under the principle of collective responsibility.

• This means that:

  • All Cabinet members must publicly support Cabinet decisions, even if they disagreed in private

  • Cabinet members must defend decisions in Parliament and the media

• If a minister cannot support a decision, they are expected to resign

  • This principle helps present a united government and maintains stability

The role of Ministers

• Government ministers are responsible for running individual government departments, such as Health, Education or Work and Pensions

• Most senior ministers use the title Secretary of State

  • E.g. the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

• Some senior ministers have special historic titles, such as the Chancellor of the Exchequer

• Ministers are also bound by the principle of collective responsibility

Junior ministers and departmental teams

• Cabinet ministers lead a team of junior ministers within their department

  • Each junior minister has specific responsibilities, such as Minister for Schools

• This structure allows departments to manage large and complex areas of government effectively

What do Ministers do?

Prime Minister and cabinet power

• Traditionally, the Prime Minister has been described as first amongst equals

  • This means the Prime Minister is the most senior member of the Cabinet but is expected to work collectively with other ministers

  • Decisions are meant to be discussed and agreed through Cabinet government

• In recent years, it has been argued that the UK is moving towards presidential government

  • This term suggests the Prime Minister has become too powerful, similar to the President of the United States

  • Prime Ministers now have greater control over:

    • Media appearances

    • Policy announcements

    • Cabinet appointments and dismissals

Sofa government

• The term sofa government refers to decision-making that happens informally

  • Instead of full Cabinet discussions, decisions are made through private conversations with a small group of advisers or ministers

• This style of leadership has been criticised because:

  • It reduces transparency

  • It weakens collective responsibility

  • Other Cabinet ministers may feel excluded or undermined

Limits on Prime Ministerial power

• Although the Prime Minister appoints the Cabinet, they do not have unlimited power

• Cabinet ministers can:

  • Leak disagreements to the media to weaken the Prime Minister’s authority

  • Threaten to resign, which can damage public confidence

• If enough senior ministers resign, the Prime Minister may be forced to step down