Taoiseach of Morrdh
| Taoiseach of Morrdh | |
|---|---|
| Style | Taoiseach |
| Status | Head of Government |
| Member of | Government of Morrdh |
| Reports to | Oireachtas |
| Nominator | Political parties |
| Appointer | The Monarch |
| Term length | At Her Excellency's pleasure |
| Deputy | Tánaiste |
The Taoiseach of Morrdh is the head of the Government of Morrdh. The Taoiseach and Cabinet (consisting of all the most senior ministers, most of whom are government department heads) are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Monarch, to Parliament, to their political party and ultimately to the electorate. The current holder of the office, George Whittleton, leader of the Social Democrat Party, was appointed by the Banrigh on 13 July 2016.
Appointment
The post of Taoiseach is, like other ministerial positions, an appointment by the monarch. By the conventions of responsible government, the monarch will call to form a government the individual most likely to receive the support, or confidence, of a majority of the elected members of parliament. In making this appointment, convention requires the monarch to act on the outcome of the electoral process and subsequent discussions between political parties; and act on the outcome of the political process by which the person who will lead the government as first minister is identified.
In practice, the position falls to the parliamentary leader of the largest political party among those forming the government. The first minister may lead a coalition government and/or a minority government dependent on support from smaller parties during confidence and supply votes.
Responsibilities and powers
The office is not defined by codified laws, but by unwritten customs known as constitutional conventions which were developed over time. These conventions are for the most part founded on the underlying principle that the first minister and fellow ministers must not lose the confidence of the democratically elected component of parliament, the Chamber of Commissioners. The first minister is leader of the Cabinet (itself a body existing by convention), and takes a coordinating role.
Adviser to the sovereign
By constitutional convention, the First Minister holds formal power to advise the sovereign. This means that as long as the first minister has the confidence of parliament, they may advise the Banríona on:
- Amendments to the Letters Patent.
- The conferment of Morridane honours (except for honours in the personal gift of the monarch).
- Appoint, dismiss, or accept the resignation of ministers.
- Call general elections by advising the Banríona to dissolve parliament. The Banríona may reject the advice to dissolve parliament if the first minister has recently lost a vote of confidence (that is, the Banríona would be using her reserve powers), but so far none have done so.
Head of government
The Taoiseach is regarded by convention as "first among equals". They do hold the most senior post in government, but are also required to adhere to any decisions taken by Cabinet, as per the convention of collective ministerial responsibility. The actual ability of a first minister to give direct orders is largely limited; most of the position's power comes about through other means, such as:
- The ability to set the Cabinet agenda, thereby controlling what issues will be discussed.
- The ability to appoint and dismiss ministers, and allocate portfolios.
- The influence a first minister is likely to have as leader of the dominant party. These powers may give more direct control over subordinates than is attached to the first minister's role.
- The power gained simply from being central to most significant decision-making, and from being able to comment on and criticise any decisions taken by other ministers.