Structure, powers and functions of the British cabinet.
Structure, powers and functions of the British cabinet.
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Structure, powers and functions of the British cabinet:-
Structure of the British cabinet:-
The British cabinet is a small-sized body of the executive. The British cabinet is formed with some important members of the executive. The number of cabinet members does not exceed 25-30. Only the cabinet can advise the king or queen on matters related to governance. According to Wade and Phillips, the Prime Minister advises the king on the governance of the country. All the members of the cabinet whom the Prime Minister calls to help him in this regard become members of the cabinet.
Powers and functions of the British cabinet:-
At present, the middleman of the British system of governance is the cabinet. However, this body has no legal basis. But still, the cabinet plays the main role in the governance of England. The powers and functions of the cabinet are as follows:-
1. Power of Policy-making:-
According to Jennings, the cabinet is basically a policy-making body. The cabinet reviews the national and international situation and determines the domestic and foreign policies of the state. Although each department has a minister, the cabinet determines the main policies. Due to the consideration of political judgment in policy-making, the cabinet basically works as a party committee.
2. Legislative power:-
In the administrative field, after taking important decisions related to policy, it is necessary to formulate laws. The cabinet plays an important role in formulating laws in that regard. The cabinet formulates the law proposals, presents the draft law and manages it in the parliament. Since the cabinet has the support of the majority, the matter of passing the law becomes easy.
3. Power to determine the agenda of the parliament:-
The king or queen has the power to convene the session of the parliament, adjourn it, and dissolve the parliament. But in reality, the cabinet exercises the real power. The Cabinet even decides which bills will be presented in Parliament. The King or Queen also discusses with the cabinet for the Royal Speech given by the King or Queen in the first session of Parliament with the Cabinet.
4. Powers related to controlling the executive branch: -
Legally, the King or Queen has all the powers of the executive branch. However, that power is exercised with the advice of the Cabinet. In fact, the Cabinet governs the country in the name of the King or Queen. The heart of the British system of governance is the Cabinet. Ramsay Moore said - "The Cabinet is the steering wheel of the ship of state." In addition, the scope of the work of the Parliament has expanded at present. Therefore, the Parliament delegates various responsibilities to the Cabinet in many cases.
5. Powers related to finance and budget: -
The role of the Cabinet is also significant in matters related to the income and expenditure of the government or the budget. The Finance Minister discusses the budget with the Cabinet before presenting it. Only after the Cabinet approves it can it be presented in the House of Commons. The Cabinet also considers the proposals for the expenditure and allocation of various departments of the government.
6. Establishing cohesion between different departments: -
The work of the government is carried out through various departments. There is a strong possibility of conflict between government departments regarding powers and rights. Therefore, the Cabinet determines the scope of power between different departments and maintains the link and provides harmony between different departments. At present, the Cabinet, on the one hand, connects the King with the Parliament and the government with the Parliament. The Cabinet also establishes relations with the people and the government.
7. Other powers: - The powers of the Cabinet in other matters are -
(a) If any problem arises at the national or international level, the Cabinet discusses it and determines the policy of the British Government.
(b) The Cabinet has to formulate plans about the future situation and requirements.
(c) The Cabinet manages and controls government employees.
(d) Various government commissions appoint employees. But the Cabinet determines their salaries, allowances and conditions of service.
(e) The Cabinet governs the areas that are still part of the British Empire.
Conclusion:-
According to political scientists, the power of the Cabinet has now diminished and the primacy of the Prime Minister has been established. According to Crossman, the post-World War II British system of government should be called Prime Ministerial rather than Cabinet-led. But not all British constitutional experts agree with this view. Because, the Prime Minister cannot always impose his decisions on the Cabinet. The influence of Parliament and public opinion on the work of the Cabinet cannot be denied.
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