Contemporary Government of the UK

Revision 1: The executive and legislature

The format of the exam

• This is the same as unit 1!• There are two parts– Part A: this will cover the compulsory elements of the unit.

• You must answer all the questions in this section• This will cover the executive and the legislature• Question 1 a and b will require you to reference sources.• Question 2 will be a 30 mark essay question.

– Part B: This is where you have a choice.• There will be three questions.• You will answer the question on either the constitution or

judiciary.

The Executive

• Concepts: power; authority; legitimacy; accountability; parliamentary government.

• Executives: Definition; role and functions; powers. • The Prime Minister: Role; powers; limits; relationship with

the cabinet.• The cabinet Role: membership; structure; collective • responsibility. • Ministers and civil service: Roles; ministerial responsibility;

relationship between ministers and senior civil servants. • Key developments in the core executive

Key Concepts

• When answering questions of the executive you must be able to understand and use these key terms.

• Post your definition to edmodo and then select the best ones to add to your own notes

• Power:• Authority:• Legitimacy:• Accountability:• Parliamentary

government:

Functions of the Prime Minister

Main Powers of the Prime Minister

Sources of Prime Ministerial Power

Limitations on Prime Ministerial Power

Limitations on Prime Ministerial Power

Prime Minister and Cabinet

• Post to edmodo what factors you believe the PM takes into account when appointing this cabinet.

On what basis does a Pm appoint their cabinet?

On what basis does a PM appoint their cabinet?

Developments in the role of PM

Using the information from page 150 onwards summarise key developments in the role of PM under each of their periods in office.

The Functions of Cabinet/ Ministers

Functions of Cabinet Functions of Ministers

What are the functions of cabinet?

What are the main functions of cabinet ministers?

Cabinet, Prime Ministerial, Presidential???

Cabinet Prime Ministerial Presidential

What is cabinet government?

What is prime ministerial government?

What is prime ministerial government?

What is presidential government?

What is presidential government?

Making the case

• Under each of the headings in edmodo make the case for Britain having that particular system. Remember to give examples.

• Add the best arguments to your notes

How is the government held to account? Post

the methods to edmodo

How is the government held to account?

Why might a Minister resign? Post the

methods to edmodo.

Why might a cabinet minister resign?

Why might a cabinet minister resign?

CMRIMR

What are these? Post examples of each to edmodo.

What is the civil service?

What is the relationship between civil servants and ministers?

What is the relationship between civil servants and ministers?

The Legislature

Your guide to revision

What you must understand…

• Concepts: democracy; parliamentary sovereignty; accountability; representation; parliamentary government.

• Legislatures: Definition; role and functions; powers. • The Commons and the Lords: Role; membership; legislative,

scrutiny and representative functions. • The opposition and backbenchers: Role and powers. • Parties in parliament: Role of parties in parliament; whips

and the whipping system. • The organisation of parliament Role of the Speaker; select

and standing committees; debates; questions; role of the executive.