At the Centre of Government

At the Centre of Government

Author: Ian Brodie

Publisher: McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP

Published: 2018-04-30

Total Pages: 205

ISBN-13: 0773553789

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"Canada's prime minister is a dictator." "The Sun King of Canadian government." "More powerful than any other chief executive of any other democratic country." These kinds of claims are frequently made about Canada's leader – especially when the prime minister's party holds a majority government in Parliament. But is there any truth to these arguments? At the Centre of Government not only presents a comprehensively researched work on the structure of political power in Canada but also offers a first-hand view of the inner workings of the Canadian federal government. Ian Brodie – former chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and former executive director of the Conservative Party of Canada – argues that the various workings of the Prime Minister's Office, the Privy Council Office, the cabinet, parliamentary committees, and the role of backbench members of Parliament undermine propositions that the prime minister has evolved into the role of an autocrat, with unchecked control over the levers of political power. He corrects the dominant thinking that Canadian prime ministers hold power without limits over their party, caucus, cabinet, Parliament, the public service, and the policy agenda. Citing examples from his time in government and from Canadian political history he argues that in Canada's evolving political system, with its roots in the pre-Confederation era, there are effective checks on executive power, and that the golden age of Parliament and the backbencher is likely now. Drawing on a vast body of work on governance and the role of the executive branch of government, At the Centre of Government is a fact-based primer on the workings of Canadian government and sobering second thoughts about many proposals for reform.


Book Synopsis At the Centre of Government by : Ian Brodie

Download or read book At the Centre of Government written by Ian Brodie and published by McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. This book was released on 2018-04-30 with total page 205 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Canada's prime minister is a dictator." "The Sun King of Canadian government." "More powerful than any other chief executive of any other democratic country." These kinds of claims are frequently made about Canada's leader – especially when the prime minister's party holds a majority government in Parliament. But is there any truth to these arguments? At the Centre of Government not only presents a comprehensively researched work on the structure of political power in Canada but also offers a first-hand view of the inner workings of the Canadian federal government. Ian Brodie – former chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and former executive director of the Conservative Party of Canada – argues that the various workings of the Prime Minister's Office, the Privy Council Office, the cabinet, parliamentary committees, and the role of backbench members of Parliament undermine propositions that the prime minister has evolved into the role of an autocrat, with unchecked control over the levers of political power. He corrects the dominant thinking that Canadian prime ministers hold power without limits over their party, caucus, cabinet, Parliament, the public service, and the policy agenda. Citing examples from his time in government and from Canadian political history he argues that in Canada's evolving political system, with its roots in the pre-Confederation era, there are effective checks on executive power, and that the golden age of Parliament and the backbencher is likely now. Drawing on a vast body of work on governance and the role of the executive branch of government, At the Centre of Government is a fact-based primer on the workings of Canadian government and sobering second thoughts about many proposals for reform.


The Cabinet Office and the centre of Government

The Cabinet Office and the centre of Government

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: Select Committee on the Constitution

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2010-01-29

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 9780108459320

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The House of Lords Constitution Committee have today published their 4th report of the 2009-10 session on 'The Cabinet Office and the Centre of Government' (HLP 30, ISBN 9780108459320) in which they suggest that power within the cabinet has become increasingly centralised to the Prime Minister and recommend that structures of accountability should be reformed to mirror that change. The Committee expresses support for the principles of collective responsibility but recognise that increasingly the Cabinet Office has become responsible for overseeing the delivery of government policy across departments. They stress that accountability mechanisms within the UK constitution are not set up to reflect this new reality with parliamentary and select committee scrutiny based on individual Ministers reporting to Parliament for activities within their departments. The Committee also considers the role of the Minister for the Cabinet Office, and state that the responsibilities of the post are currently poorly defined. They recommend that the Government reassess the functions of the Minister for the Cabinet Office to ensure that the postholder's responsibilities accurately reflect the strategic role the Cabinet Office plays in delivering government policy. The report goes on to consider the approach taken to changes to the machinery of government and the change in the role and function of the Lord Chancellor which took place during Tony Blair's time as Prime Minister. The Committee states that the process of change involved ’wholly inadequate' consultation both within government and with the senior judiciary, and further states that there was "no justification for failure to consult on these important reforms". The Committee recommends that in future the Cabinet Office should play a formal role in investigating any machinery of government changes, particularly those with constitutional implications.


Book Synopsis The Cabinet Office and the centre of Government by : Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: Select Committee on the Constitution

Download or read book The Cabinet Office and the centre of Government written by Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords: Select Committee on the Constitution and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2010-01-29 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The House of Lords Constitution Committee have today published their 4th report of the 2009-10 session on 'The Cabinet Office and the Centre of Government' (HLP 30, ISBN 9780108459320) in which they suggest that power within the cabinet has become increasingly centralised to the Prime Minister and recommend that structures of accountability should be reformed to mirror that change. The Committee expresses support for the principles of collective responsibility but recognise that increasingly the Cabinet Office has become responsible for overseeing the delivery of government policy across departments. They stress that accountability mechanisms within the UK constitution are not set up to reflect this new reality with parliamentary and select committee scrutiny based on individual Ministers reporting to Parliament for activities within their departments. The Committee also considers the role of the Minister for the Cabinet Office, and state that the responsibilities of the post are currently poorly defined. They recommend that the Government reassess the functions of the Minister for the Cabinet Office to ensure that the postholder's responsibilities accurately reflect the strategic role the Cabinet Office plays in delivering government policy. The report goes on to consider the approach taken to changes to the machinery of government and the change in the role and function of the Lord Chancellor which took place during Tony Blair's time as Prime Minister. The Committee states that the process of change involved ’wholly inadequate' consultation both within government and with the senior judiciary, and further states that there was "no justification for failure to consult on these important reforms". The Committee recommends that in future the Cabinet Office should play a formal role in investigating any machinery of government changes, particularly those with constitutional implications.


Aspects of Managing the Centre of Government

Aspects of Managing the Centre of Government

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1990

Total Pages: 72

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Aspects of Managing the Centre of Government by :

Download or read book Aspects of Managing the Centre of Government written by and published by . This book was released on 1990 with total page 72 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Prime Minister and Cabinet Government

Prime Minister and Cabinet Government

Author: Simon James

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2020-04-28

Total Pages: 478

ISBN-13: 1351001469

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Fully revised and updated, this new edition of Simon James’s comprehensible and accessible text provides an excellent insight into the work of the Prime Minister and Cabinet government. It draws on the wealth of new material that has become available in recent years to shed light on the mechanisms and processes of the Cabinet system in Britain, focusing on the post-1979 period. Its coverage includes: ministers and their departments; collective decision-making; the role of the Prime Minister; the strengths and weaknesses of the Cabinet system; and the future of the Cabinet system. Prime Minister and Cabinet Government will give both A-level students and undergraduates a clear understanding of the realities of this central aspect of British politics.


Book Synopsis Prime Minister and Cabinet Government by : Simon James

Download or read book Prime Minister and Cabinet Government written by Simon James and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2020-04-28 with total page 478 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fully revised and updated, this new edition of Simon James’s comprehensible and accessible text provides an excellent insight into the work of the Prime Minister and Cabinet government. It draws on the wealth of new material that has become available in recent years to shed light on the mechanisms and processes of the Cabinet system in Britain, focusing on the post-1979 period. Its coverage includes: ministers and their departments; collective decision-making; the role of the Prime Minister; the strengths and weaknesses of the Cabinet system; and the future of the Cabinet system. Prime Minister and Cabinet Government will give both A-level students and undergraduates a clear understanding of the realities of this central aspect of British politics.


Central Government

Central Government

Author: Henry Duff Traill

Publisher:

Published: 1881

Total Pages: 184

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Central Government by : Henry Duff Traill

Download or read book Central Government written by Henry Duff Traill and published by . This book was released on 1881 with total page 184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Government Beyond the Centre

Government Beyond the Centre

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 19??

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Government Beyond the Centre by :

Download or read book Government Beyond the Centre written by and published by . This book was released on 19?? with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


OECD Public Governance Reviews Centre of Government Review of Brazil Toward an Integrated and Structured Centre of Government

OECD Public Governance Reviews Centre of Government Review of Brazil Toward an Integrated and Structured Centre of Government

Author: OECD

Publisher: OECD Publishing

Published: 2022-06-22

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13: 9264884696

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The OECD Centre of Government Review of Brazil offers key recommendations on consolidating the strategic role of the country’s centre of government (CoG) in managing policy priorities and improving outcomes. The review examines the CoG’s roles, mandates, and its co-ordination capacities.


Book Synopsis OECD Public Governance Reviews Centre of Government Review of Brazil Toward an Integrated and Structured Centre of Government by : OECD

Download or read book OECD Public Governance Reviews Centre of Government Review of Brazil Toward an Integrated and Structured Centre of Government written by OECD and published by OECD Publishing. This book was released on 2022-06-22 with total page 194 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The OECD Centre of Government Review of Brazil offers key recommendations on consolidating the strategic role of the country’s centre of government (CoG) in managing policy priorities and improving outcomes. The review examines the CoG’s roles, mandates, and its co-ordination capacities.


HC 107 - The Centre of Government

HC 107 - The Centre of Government

Author: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Committee of Public Accounts

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 24

ISBN-13: 0215078330

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A strong and effective centre of government is vital for the effective operation of government as a whole and for ensuring a focus on improved value for money for the taxpayer. However, there is a lack of clarity about the centre's precise role, particularly the respective responsibilities of the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury and the Prime Minister's Office (Number 10), and how they work together as a coherent centre. The centre sometimes intervenes to address issues with high-priority government programmes, but has too often failed to do so effectively or at an early enough stage. In part, this is because the centre does not have a joined-up single view of strategic risks across government, meaning it is often reactive in its response rather than able to anticipate potentially serious problems. There are gaps in key skills at the centre and across departments, such as financial management capability and contracting expertise, which are compounded because government repeatedly fails to learn lessons and share good practice from past experience. The Government announced that the roles of Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service will be combined, and there will be a new Chief Executive post at the centre of government. Implementing these changes may provide an opportunity to make progress on the role of the centre


Book Synopsis HC 107 - The Centre of Government by : Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Committee of Public Accounts

Download or read book HC 107 - The Centre of Government written by Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Committee of Public Accounts and published by The Stationery Office. This book was released on 2014 with total page 24 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A strong and effective centre of government is vital for the effective operation of government as a whole and for ensuring a focus on improved value for money for the taxpayer. However, there is a lack of clarity about the centre's precise role, particularly the respective responsibilities of the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury and the Prime Minister's Office (Number 10), and how they work together as a coherent centre. The centre sometimes intervenes to address issues with high-priority government programmes, but has too often failed to do so effectively or at an early enough stage. In part, this is because the centre does not have a joined-up single view of strategic risks across government, meaning it is often reactive in its response rather than able to anticipate potentially serious problems. There are gaps in key skills at the centre and across departments, such as financial management capability and contracting expertise, which are compounded because government repeatedly fails to learn lessons and share good practice from past experience. The Government announced that the roles of Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service will be combined, and there will be a new Chief Executive post at the centre of government. Implementing these changes may provide an opportunity to make progress on the role of the centre


Putting Public Services in the Public Eye [electronic Resource] : Making the Political Case for Citizen-centred Government

Putting Public Services in the Public Eye [electronic Resource] : Making the Political Case for Citizen-centred Government

Author: Centre for Collaborative Government

Publisher:

Published: 2005

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Putting Public Services in the Public Eye [electronic Resource] : Making the Political Case for Citizen-centred Government by : Centre for Collaborative Government

Download or read book Putting Public Services in the Public Eye [electronic Resource] : Making the Political Case for Citizen-centred Government written by Centre for Collaborative Government and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


Steering from the Centre of Government in Times of Complexity Compendium of Practices

Steering from the Centre of Government in Times of Complexity Compendium of Practices

Author: OECD

Publisher: OECD Publishing

Published: 2024-04-19

Total Pages: 165

ISBN-13: 9264809171

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From steering decision making in times of complexity to stewarding cross-cutting policies and guiding good practices across the public administration, centres of government (CoGs) play an important role in achieving government ambitions. This compendium gathers and shares practices and experiences of CoGs in undertaking their various roles and functions. It describes the mechanisms CoGs use in roles such as bridging the political-administrative interface, stewarding cross-cutting policies, guiding public administration reform, and engaging with citizens and other stakeholders.


Book Synopsis Steering from the Centre of Government in Times of Complexity Compendium of Practices by : OECD

Download or read book Steering from the Centre of Government in Times of Complexity Compendium of Practices written by OECD and published by OECD Publishing. This book was released on 2024-04-19 with total page 165 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From steering decision making in times of complexity to stewarding cross-cutting policies and guiding good practices across the public administration, centres of government (CoGs) play an important role in achieving government ambitions. This compendium gathers and shares practices and experiences of CoGs in undertaking their various roles and functions. It describes the mechanisms CoGs use in roles such as bridging the political-administrative interface, stewarding cross-cutting policies, guiding public administration reform, and engaging with citizens and other stakeholders.