"Cabinet is no longer a relevant part of the UK
executive." Analyse and evaluate this statement [25]
25/25
The Cabinet is a central group of 20 ministers appointed by the
governing Prime Minister. From first impressions, this group of
designated experts seems vital to the working of the executive,
however in recent years this fact has become opinion. To analyse this
debate, we must find a framework in which to define relevance. For the
purposes of this essay, the relevance of the Cabinet is deemed to be
the way in which it contributes to decision making and its necessity
within the executive. It must also be compared to the powers of the
PM. Historically, the Prime Minister was simply ‘primus inter pares’ or
the 'first amongst equals' of several different ministers. However, since
World War 2, executive power and decision making has been
increasingly centralised within the Prime Minister's office. Despite this
assertion, from reviewing the evidence, it is to be concluded that
Cabinet is still a relevant part of the UK executive.
Firstly, Cabinet ministers can access exclusive government information
that outside sources and competition to the Cabinet, like think tanks,
cannot. This solidifies their position of permanent significance in the
executive. The unique position of Cabinet ministers enables them to
engage with a wealth of relevant information, including classified
documents and internal reports that are not available to the public or
external advisers. This privileged position ensures that they can
executive." Analyse and evaluate this statement [25]
25/25
The Cabinet is a central group of 20 ministers appointed by the
governing Prime Minister. From first impressions, this group of
designated experts seems vital to the working of the executive,
however in recent years this fact has become opinion. To analyse this
debate, we must find a framework in which to define relevance. For the
purposes of this essay, the relevance of the Cabinet is deemed to be
the way in which it contributes to decision making and its necessity
within the executive. It must also be compared to the powers of the
PM. Historically, the Prime Minister was simply ‘primus inter pares’ or
the 'first amongst equals' of several different ministers. However, since
World War 2, executive power and decision making has been
increasingly centralised within the Prime Minister's office. Despite this
assertion, from reviewing the evidence, it is to be concluded that
Cabinet is still a relevant part of the UK executive.
Firstly, Cabinet ministers can access exclusive government information
that outside sources and competition to the Cabinet, like think tanks,
cannot. This solidifies their position of permanent significance in the
executive. The unique position of Cabinet ministers enables them to
engage with a wealth of relevant information, including classified
documents and internal reports that are not available to the public or
external advisers. This privileged position ensures that they can
