|
More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
|
Cabinet
|
|
The committee of ministers, headed by the *prime minister, which is the executive authority of the nation. The name derives from the 17C, when monarchs wished to rule through a smaller body than the *privy council. The chosen group of ministers met with the king in a more intimate room (a cabinet) and so became known as the cabinet council. Gradually this select body grew in power – particularly after the *Hanoverian kings gave up attending its meetings, a change which in the long term increased cabinet independence.
|
|
|
|
The size and membership of the cabinet is at the discretion of the prime minister. In recent years cabinets have numbered about 22 people and have normally met in 10 *Downing Street on Thursday mornings.
Since 1916 there has been a cabinet secretary, also known as secretary of the cabinet – unquestionably the most powerful *civil service appointment in Britain. The cabinet secretary is head of the Cabinet Office and of the home civil service.
|
|
|
|