Cabinet essays

Cabinet essays 1. What factors does a Prime Minister take into account when appointing The cabinet is at the apex of machinery of government as the central controlling body of the executive. It has a dual purpose - it is both administrative and a political unit brining together policy formulation and policy implementation at the highest level. As the cabinet is comprised of between 20 and 24 senior ministers, who are selected by the Prime Minister, it is imperative that when appointing his cabinet, his decision is governed by political and administrative considerations. Politically the heads of the main spending departments will be included as they contribute to and implement government policy as it effects their own area. Theoretically a Prime Minister will also balance the Cabinet to ensure all shades of party opinion have an outlet at the highest level. In practice, both Margaret Thatcher after 1983 and John Major from 1995 tended to balance their cabinets to the right and center respectively. Tony Blairs first New Labour Cabinet of 1997 included a balance of new and old left, but after his second election victory in 2001 he gave the impression that he was less concerned with driving forward government policy with a Cabinet of loyal Blairites. Therefore a Prime Minister must take political considerations into account i.e. he must include the leading members of the party e.g. the chancellor, as the economic dominion is frequently inclusive in much of the policy decision making process. Loyalty and therefore close allies of the Prime Minister are likely candidates of the cabinet as the Prime Minister must seem invariably on message and in agreement with decisions, views and policy in order to maintain collective responsibility and a defiant public image. Inclusion of opposing ministers is also considered as in cabinet they are unable to ...