These sanctions are nonetheless very powerful. Our Government We've seen how constitutional conventions limit the power, in practice, of the head of state. This branch of government comprises Parliament, its MPs and select committees. However, the supremacy of Parliament means in practice the supremacy of the party or parties that has the support of Parliament on crucial issues. The Executive comprises Cabinet ministers and government departments.
Cabinet is an informal body of very significant constitutional standing and real power.
But Cabinet has practical limits to its power. In reaching their decisions, Cabinet members must be mindful of their colleagues in government, who are ever aware of the necessity for them to re-elected at the next election. Parliament has the right to scrutinise the actions and finances of government departments. Cabinet also has internal conventions to guide the way it operates. One such convention is that Ministers are collectively responsible for the decisions of government.