Government & Opposition (Edexcel 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

Recent UK Prime Ministers

What does the Prime Minister do?

• 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 and 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

• 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

• The Prime Minister also 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

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

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

What does the Cabinet do?

• 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?

The role of the opposition

• The opposition in Parliament is the second largest party in the House of Commons

  • A strong opposition can shape policy debates but their influence can be limited by large government majorities

Roles of the opposition

• To provide alternative government, or a ‘government-in-waiting’

• To hold the government to account

• To scrutinise legislation and policy proposed by the government

• To present alternative policies to the electorate

• To lead on opposition days

• To trigger confidence motions if needed