Introduction
In
Great Britain, appointment of Prime Minister is not explained under
constitution or law. Concept of Prime Minister has been evolved in Great
Britain during those constitution changes, which spread over centuries. In
fact, appointment of Prime Minister is due to convention. Now it is an admitted
convention that British King/Queen invites a person, who commands majority in House of Commons , to form government. Thus, British
King/Queen appoints Prime Minister from House of Common.
Choice
of Prime Minister
(i)
The Sovereign chooses the
Prime Minister. Conventions ensure that in most cases the “choice” is forma,
for the Sovereign is expected to send for the leader of the party or group of
parties that has, or can control, a majority in the House of Commons. The choice
became formal owing to the development of the party system.
(ii)
If the Prime Minister dies
in office or retires on personal grounds, such as ill health or old age, the
sovereign has really no discretion in the common case where the government has
an absolute majority and one other Cabinet Minister in the Commons is obviously
regarded as ranking next to the Prime Minister. In this way Neville Chamberlian
succeeded Baldwin in 1937.
(iii)
A retiring Prime Minister
is probably not entitled to proffer advice as to his successor, but he can make
his views known before-hand, and anyway the sovereign is free to consult him
and other members of the government party.
(iv)
There are exceptional
circumstances when the sovereign really has exercise a personal discretion
within limits; and this is perhaps the most important function of the sovereign
at the present day.
(v)
The Prime Minister is
normally the leader of his party, having either been chosen as Prime Minster
because he is Prime Minister. He is primarily responsible for the organization
of the business of the House, even if 9as is now usual) this work is delegated
to the Leader of the House. In the House he is expected to speak in debates,
and to answer questions on general government policy, the future business of
the House and any residual matters.
Position in the Government
The
Prime Minister, dominating position in the Cabinet. This can be well explained
under the following headings:-
a. As
Cabinet Chief
As
head of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister supervises and coordinates the work of
different Ministers. He performs a pivotal role in the formation and working of
the Cabinet. His opinion carries weight in the Cabinet meetings and as such he
can resolve the differences among the ministers.
b.
Cabinet decisions
The
Prime Minister sees that Cabinet decisions are carried out by the departments,
although, as we have said, the extent to which he supervises the administration
varies with different holders of the office. His contact with the affairs of
the Foreign Office is often especially close. The Cabinet secretariat is under
this control, and consults him in preparing the agenda. He communicates
directly with the other Commonwealth Prime Ministers, and presides when they
meet in this country.
c.
Formation of Govt
The
primary functions of the Prime Minister are to form a government, and to choose
and preside over the Cabinet. He gives advice to his ministerial colleagues on
matters before they come to the Cabinet, and he is the main channel of
communication between the Cabinet and the Sovereign, with whom he has a weekly
audience. He advises the Sovereign on a dissolution.
d.
Appointments
Many
Crown appointments in addition to ministerial offices, are made on his advice.
These include the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, the Lords justices of Appeal,
bishops and deans of the Church of England, peerages Privy councilors and most
honours. As First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service, the
Prime Minister approves the senior appointments in the Civil Service.
As
Leader of the House
Being
the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister
assumes the roe of leader of the House. As leader of the House, the Prime
Minister enjoys privileges on the floor of the House.
As
a National Leader
His
opinion on important national issues is paid due head. His statements and
speeches are regarded as the most effective channels for molding public
opinion.
Link
between the Queen and Cabinet
British
Prime Minister acts as a link between the Cabinet and the Queen. He keeps her
informed about all important decisions of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister now
invariable takes the office of First Lord of the Treasury, and occasionally
some other office as well, such as that of Chancellor of the Exchequer
(Gladstone), War office.
Conduct
of Foreign Affairs
The
opinion of the Prime Minister carries special weight in foreign affairs.
Secretary of Foreign Affairs, remains in constant touch with the Prime
Minister.
Powers of British Prime Minister
Undoubtedly,
British Monarch is constitutional head of Great Britain, but British Prime
Minister is considered actual head of British government. The reason is that
all royal powers are practically exercised either by British Prime Minister or
by his/her cabinet-ministers in the name of British Crown.
British
Prime Minister holds an influential place in the government. With the passage
of time, a number of powers of British Prime Minister have evolved. Therefore,
British Prime Minister possesses many powers. He is head of administration and
possesses following administrative powers.
(i) British
Cabinet
British
Prime Minister can appoint minister of his/her cabinet. Prime Minister
possesses power to allocate functions and departments among minister. Prime Minister chairs meetings of
British Cabinet. British Prime Minister coordinates not only the activities and
policies of the cabinet, but also those of governmental departments.
(ii) Various
Appointments
NO-doubt,
actual appointment are made in most cases by British King/Queen, but selections
are recommendations are made by the Prime Minister. British Prime Minister
possesses power to advice British King/Queen for following Appointment
- Ø Finance Minister
- Ø Ministers of Cabinet
- Ø Senior Civil and Military officers
- Ø Ambassadors and diplomatic representatives
- Ø Governor-Generals of dominions and Governors of Colonies
- Ø Peerages, knighthoods and other honors
(iii) National
Policy
British
Prime Minister possesses power to make national policy regarding national as
well as foreign affairs. Therefore, he/she has control over national and
foreign affairs.
(iv) Government
Departments
British
Prime Minister has also control over government departments. Especially he/she
plays an important role to settle disputes among different governemtn-departments.
(v) Advisor
to British King/Queen
Another
important power of British Prime Minister is that he/she is chief advisor to
British Monarch. He/she can advice British King/Queen on critical matters like
dissolution of Parliament.
Conclusion
To
conclude, it can be stated that one of recent observation about constitutional
role and powers of British Prime Minister is that growing role and powers of
British Prime Minister are transforming present British political system into
presidential system.
0 comments:
Post a Comment