The UK Constitution Part 5: Central Government The Bench Report podcast

The UK Constitution part 5: Central Government

20d ago 14:52

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Who really runs the show in the UK? It's the central government, the executive branch, but its power isn't absolute. It's a fascinating system where the government comes from Parliament and is constantly answerable to it. Understanding this relationship is key to grasping how the UK is governed at the highest level.

The Bench Report concludes our series on the UK constitution by examining central government. We'll explore where its authority comes from, how it's structured, and the crucial roles played by key figures like the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

Here’s what you’ll find out.

* Power from Parliament and the People: Learn how the government's authority stems from both historical Crown powers and the democratic mandate of voters through general elections.

* The Crucial Link to Parliament: Understand the fundamental principle that the government must maintain the "confidence" of the House of Commons to stay in power.

* Who's in Charge: We'll break down who makes up the government, typically ministers from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

* Accountability in Action: Discover the various ways Parliament holds the government accountable, including votes of confidence and Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs).

* The Prime Minister's Central Role: Explore the PMs formal and informal powers, from appointing ministers to overseeing national security.

* The Inner Workings of the Cabinet: Learn how the Cabinet functions as the government's core decision-making body and the principle of collective responsibility.

* The Vital Civil Service: Understand the role of the permanent, non-political civil service in supporting the government.

* The Importance of the Opposition: Discover how "His Majesty's Opposition" plays a critical role in scrutinizing the government and offering an alternative.

Source: The United Kingdom constitution
Research Briefing
Published 23 April, 2025

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No outside chatter: source material only taken from Hansard and the Parliament UK website.

Contains Parliamentary information repurposed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.

Chapters

1. The UK Constitution part 5: Central Government (00:00:00)

2. Central Government authority (00:00:26)

3. Confidence in the Government (00:01:03)

4. Run up to an election (00:02:37)

5. PM role, powers and accountability (00:03:45)

6. Other Ministers of the Crown (00:06:55)

7. Secretaries of State (00:07:24)

8. Cabinet and collective responsibility (00:07:56)

9. Privy Council (00:09:58)

10. Civil Service (00:10:41)

11. HM Opposition (00:12:18)

12. Conclusions (00:13:26)

47 episodes