To what extent does the prime minister control the cabinet?
The extent to way in which the prime minister controls cabinet varies, and can vary greatly, as Prime ministers have great amounts of scope in which they can manage and control the cabinet and the system surrounding it.
The cabinet itself refers to the collective decision making process in British Politics.
Cabinet fuses executive and legislative branches of government, as its members head government departments but are also drawn from Parliament and is the senior executive organ – which controls policy-making process and makes all major government decisions. Collective collegiality adds strength to the government as a whole and makes the governing party in parliament more united and therefore stronger. One of the key aspects of control over the cabinet stems from collective collegiality.
The main reasons for the control the Prime Minister has over Cabinet are due to the powers he/she has over the Cabinet itself. The first is that the Prime Minister chairs cabinet meetings, and manages the agendas, as well as summing up the decisions at the end. This means that the PM has a great deal of control over the meetings, and can direct them in a course that suits what the PM wants. Combine this with the fact that the Prime Minister convenes cabinet meetings and decides when they are called and sets their length – it means that in effect, the PM determines the role and significance of the entire cabinet.
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4 Stars - An effective essay overall. Clearly and logically expressed and organised - with a well developed argument that considers and weighs a range of points. The essay could be improved through use of more detailed supporting examples and by consistently addressing the question throughout.