Prime minister, cabinet & ministers

Prime minister

The PM is the most important figure in the UK political system
Cheif executive
PMs must be MPs,they sit in the Commons
They are party leader (callaghan 1976, Major 1992, Brown 2007) when you lose your leadership you are removed (Thatcher 1990, Blair 2007)
Party majority in the Commons. Most PMs come to power as a result of general election victories.
2010- 'hung' parliament, conservatives were 19 votes short of an overall majority. The queen asked Cameron to form a government, this occurred on the basis of a deal w/ the liberal democrats to form a coalition government
The PM is the 'first among equals'- the first primary representatives of government, all members in the cabinet had an equal influence over decisions
The PM makes governments: the PM appoints all other members of the government. This power to 'hire and fire' extends to the cabinet & to other ministers & gives the PM control over the careers of his/ her MPs & peers
The PM directs government policy:the PM sets the overall direction of government policy & defines its strategic goals. The PM can interfere in any aspect of policy .

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The PM manages the cabinet system: he/ she chairs cabinet meetings , determines their number & their length & also sets up staff cabinet meetings
The PM organises government: PMs are responsible for the structure & organisation of government.
The PM controls parliament: as leader of the largest party in the Commons, the PM effectively controls the lower chamber & throgh it parliament itself.The control may be limited in the event of a 'hung' parliament
The PM provides national leadership: The PMs authority is largely based on being elected by the people.

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