Executive
In Britain, the term "Crown" refers to the executive authority, which was historically embodied
by the King. Today, the Crown includes several key institutions:
1. The King
2. The Prime Minister
3. The Council of Ministers (CoM)
4. Permanent Executive, or Civil Servants
5. Privy Council
1. The Crown
The phrase "The King is dead. Long live the King" encapsulates the evolution of power in
Britain. Initially, all authority resided with the monarch, but over time, power has shifted to the
Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, along with the Permanent Executive and the Privy Council.
Today, the Crown is understood as an institution comprising these various elements.
2. Nature of the Monarchy
Britain operates under a constitutional monarchy, which is compatible with democracy. The
powers of the monarch—currently King Charles III—are largely ceremonial. The most
significant duty is the appointment of the Member of Parliament (MP) who is expected to form a
government, typically the leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the House of
Commons. Despite the monarchy's limited power, it plays essential roles, including:
● Representing the UK both domestically and internationally
● Setting standards for citizenship and family life
● Uniting the nation across diverse perspectives
● Maintaining the allegiance of the armed forces
● Preserving British traditions
● Upholding Christian moral values
3. The British Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers
Britain employs a Cabinet system, which is a collegiate form of government. Power is not
vested in a single individual but distributed among the entire Council of Ministers, functioning
under the principle of collective responsibility. This principle dictates that all ministers share
accountability for government decisions.
The Cabinet has its roots in the Privy Council, which originally advised the King. Its primary
roles include:
● Approving major policies
● Resolving disputes
● Providing checks on the Prime Minister's power
● Unifying the government and the parliamentary party
The Cabinet serves as the ultimate law-making body within the parliamentary framework and is
formed by the party or coalition that holds a majority in the House of Commons. Cabinet
meetings are conducted in private.
4. The British Prime Minister
The Prime Minister holds a pivotal position within the government:
1. The Prime Minister acts as the leader of the Cabinet.
2. The Prime Minister’s party typically holds a majority in the House of Commons.
3. They serve as the link between the Crown and both the Cabinet and Parliament.
4. The Prime Minister has the power to advise the dissolution of the House of Commons.
5. Other ministers are appointed on the Prime Minister's recommendation, and their tenure
is similarly dependent on the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister is often referred to as Primus Inter Pares (first among equals), indicating
that while they are a leader, they must also respect their colleagues and make decisions in
consultation with them. This contrasts with a presidential system, where the president appoints
cabinet members who are not necessarily part of the legislative body.
In practice, the Prime Minister often wields considerable influence, bolstered by both formal and
informal factors, such as their role as the link between Parliament and the Crown, party position,
and prevailing political circumstances.
Differences between the British and Indian Prime Ministers
The constitutional role of the Indian Prime Minister is modeled on the British system, with one
key difference: in India, the Prime Minister can be a member of either the Lok Sabha (House of
the People) or the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). In contrast, it is conventionally expected that
the British Prime Minister will always be a member of the House of Commons.
Privy Council
Historically, the Privy Council served as an advisory body to the monarch. Its significance has
diminished with the rise of the Cabinet, as Cabinet decisions are effectively those of the Privy
Council. The Privy Council retains some supervisory authority over universities like Oxford and
Cambridge and plays a role in resolving disputes related to the Church, as well as acting as a
Court of Appeal in certain admiralty cases.
Permanent Civil Servants/British Bureaucrats
The British bureaucracy, which influences the Indian bureaucratic system, has several defining
characteristics:
● It is largely comprised of generalists.
● Civil servants are expected to maintain political neutrality.
● Recruitment is conducted through competitive examinations.
● They enjoy significant immunities.
● Critics argue that the British bureaucracy is elitist and lacks representativeness.
● Bureaucrats are sometimes referred to as "New Despots."
● The bureaucracy is said to operate behind the principle of ministerial responsibility.
This complex system reflects both the strengths and challenges inherent in the governance
structures of the UK.
