18 concepts the spec wants you to use precisely, drawn from the Panther database. Read them, then test yourself.
In test mode, tap a concept to reveal its definition.
The concepts
Party patronage(tap to reveal)- The PM's power to appoint people to jobs and the Lords - which can be used to reward loyalty.
Royal prerogative(tap to reveal)- Powers traditionally belonging to the Monarch that are now exercised by the Prime Minister, such as declaring war or appointing ministers.
Secondary legislation(tap to reveal)- Laws made by ministers using powers granted to them by Parliament, without needing a full Act of Parliament each time.
The Crown(tap to reveal)- The legal concept of state authority that sits with the monarchy - ministers act 'in the name of the Crown'.
Big Beasts(tap to reveal)- Senior Cabinet ministers powerful enough to challenge the PM - not just loyal supporters.
Bilateral meeting (PM-minister)(tap to reveal)- A one-to-one meeting between the Prime Minister and a minister to discuss that minister's department, often used instead of full Cabinet discussions.
Budget (government)(tap to reveal)- The government's annual financial plan, presented to Parliament, which sets out how much it will raise in taxes and how much it will spend.
Bureaucracy(tap to reveal)- The permanent staff who run government departments and carry out the day-to-day work of the state, regardless of which party is in power.
Cabinet(tap to reveal)- The most senior group of ministers, chaired by the Prime Minister, who collectively make major government decisions.
Cabinet committee(tap to reveal)- A smaller group of ministers handling a specific policy area before it goes to the full Cabinet.
Cabinet government(tap to reveal)- A system of government where the Cabinet as a group makes the key decisions, not just the PM.
Cabinet manual(tap to reveal)- The official rulebook for how Cabinet government and ministers should operate.
Cabinet office(tap to reveal)- The central department that keeps the government organised, coordinating work across all ministries.
Cabinet secretary(tap to reveal)- The top civil servant who runs the Cabinet Office and advises the PM on how government works.
Collective ministerial responsibility(tap to reveal)- The principle that all Cabinet ministers must publicly support government decisions, even if they disagreed with them in private.
Executive(tap to reveal)- The part of government responsible for running the country and implementing laws, including the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and departments.
Fiscal policy(tap to reveal)- How the government uses its spending and tax decisions to manage the economy, for example by spending more to boost growth in a recession.
Government department(tap to reveal)- A section of the executive responsible for a specific area of policy, such as education or defence.