Privy Council, Cabinet and the Lord Chancellor

Privy Council, Cabinet and the Lord Chancellor

Every member ever appointed to the Cabinet becomes a member of the Privy Council for life. This relic from earlier centuries means that there are now over 300 members of the Privy Council. In centuries past, the Privy Council served as an advisory board to the monarch and was the first cabinet. "Member of the Privy Council", shown by the letters "P.C." after a surname, is now primarily a ceremonial title.
The Cabinet is where political power resides. A 15-25 member Cabinet is appointed by the Monarch on the prime minister's recommendation, from the membership of the House of Commons, the House of Lords, or even from outside Parliament. These persons serve as chief executive officer of the largest and most important government departments. This select group also meets collectively to plan government policy and programs and, together, ensure that all government departments support the government's legislative and political agenda. Cabinet's policy directions are translated into laws which are then brought before Parliament for approval. In this manner, the political will of the government is implemented. Ministers are responsible to Parliament for the proper functioning of their departments and would be expected to resign if their department failed or erred in an important duty or matter of state. There are more departments than there are vacancies in the Cabinet. Consequently, not all department heads appointed from the ranks of Parliament, are members of the Cabinet.
One member of the Cabinet, the Lord Chancellor, is, exceptionally and traditionally, from the House of Lords. The Lord Chancellor is the senior legal minister in the Cabinet. The Lord Chancellor is also responsible for appointing judges and he or she presides over the Final Court of Appeal.