Q # 07: Write a detailed note on Cabinet system in England
1) Introduction
The cabinet is the real executive of the British systems. It is also called the ministry of
the government. The cabinet has been defined as the royal advisers of the state chosen
by the Prime Minister in the name of crown. The cabinet must knowledge the
supremacy of the Prime Minister and must follows the policies laid down by the Prime
Minister. Cabinet is collectively a decision making body of the United kingdom cabinet is
consisted of 21 ministers and these are the most senior ministers of the government
2) Meaning of cabinet
A group of individuals who are advisers of the Prime Minster
3) Definition of cabinet
A cabinet is a body of high-ranking state officials of the two houses of the parliament
which is consisted upon peers and chief executives of the United Kingdom.
They all are usually called ministers and mutually are responsible and politically
depends upon a parliamentary majority for its existence and follows the rules laid down
by the Prime Minister
4) Evolution (growth) of cabinet system
The modern Cabinet developed long ago with the name of privy council (Private council)
in government of Britain it has its roots in the 11th century - The Privy Council was a
group of executive members of the church, who gives advices to the king.
In the 15th century the Privy Council was consisted upon 40 councilors who were
dealing administrative matters. Because of the failure of such a large councils, kings had
reduced the circle of advisors. And with the passage of time it become Cabinet from
Privy council
5) Nature of British Cabinet
Cabinet is a body which is not recognized by the law. Its existence is only customary e.g.
based on custom or conventions
6) Composition of British cabinet
The Prime minister makes the cabinet on the advice of King. All the members of the
cabinet are the members of the parliament. In the institution, there is no legal status of
the cabinet
7) Features of the cabinet system
Following are the feature of cabinet system
I. Exclusion of the king from cabinet
The Queen or King does not attend the cabinet meetings. King or Queen is not legally
bound to attend cabinet meetings on regular basis or ever. It is constitutionally
recognized that they will not attend the meetings
II. Co-operation between Cabinet and Parliament
There is a complete co-operation between the cabinet and the Parliament. Both of
these departments help each other in official related issues facing by the state as well as
they are supporter of each other
III. Leadership of the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister plays dominant role in Cabinet because cabinet has been formulated
by the Prime Minister on the advice of the King. Prime is the keystone of the cabinet and
overrule the cabinet
IV. Secrecy
The meetings of the cabinet are secret and private. Every member of the cabinet makes
promise of the secrecy. The discussion is not release in the public
V. Ministerial responsibility
Individually all the members of the cabinet are responsible persons of the house of
commons and they all are liable for their acts
VI. Collective responsibility
Collectively all the members of the cabinet are responsible. All the members work as a
team because cabinet stands or falls together as a unit
VII. Political homogeneity
Political homogeneity means that all the members of the cabinet have similar views
upon their policies because they belong to one political party
VIII. Unity of cabinet
Unity of the cabinet is the outstanding features of the British cabinet system. The
cabinet always acts as unit. It wouldn’t be wrong if they are called “the house with one
voice”
IX. No legal status
Cabinet is a body which is not recognized by the law. Its existence is only customary
laws. It is not mention in written that the cabinet is the part of the constitution. The
cabinet is called the child of the conventions
8) Functions of the British cabinet
Following are the important functions of the British parliament
I. Policy Making
The cabinet is the policy making body. The cabinet discusses and decided all kind of
national and internal policies. The cabinet decides the measure on account of which
administration of the government can be exercised
II. Executive functions
Following are the executive functions of the cabinet
1) Cabinet makes the general policies of the Government
2) It makes the foreign policies of the Government
3) The Cabinet makes strategies for war and peace
4) Cabinet makes appointments of high rank officials of the state
III. Legislative functions
The cabinet controls the legislative activities
1) The Cabinet prepares the speech of the king and king says this speech in the parliament
2) The cabinet prepares all the bills which are to be passed by the parliament
3) Cabinet send summons to the parliament on the advice of the king
4) The cabinet guides the leader of the house in the parliament
IV. Financial functions
The cabinet plays vital role in this regard. Cabinet prepares the budget of the country
and is responsible for the whole expenditure. The chancellor of the cabinet is the
finance minister of the country and is the member of the cabinet
V. Judicial functions
Following are the judicial functions of the courts
1) The judges of the important courts are being appointed on the advice of the cabinet by
the King
2) The cabinet prepares the rules and regulations for judiciary
3) The power of the pardon is exercised by the king is on the advice of the Cabinet
9) Conclusion
The working of the cabinet system in England was very slow but steady. Prime Minister
is the head of the cabinet that makes the cabinet on the advice of the king. All members
of the cabinet exercise their large powers almost in all affairs of the government. The
members of the parliament are consisted upon high ranking officials of the state and all
are ministers of different spheres
