The Prime Minister’s role is critical to the function of government. He/she leads Cabinet meetings, sets agendas and ensures that the ministry of a particular portfolio works effectively together to implement government policy. He/she oversees government departments and the agencies, Crown entities and organisations reporting to it or appropriating from its Vote(s).
He/she selects other Members of Parliament to serve in his/her Cabinet as ministers of state, often giving them specific portfolios. He/she is the leader of his/her party and caucus and has overall responsibility for its membership and leadership. He/she must have the support of the majority of MPs in order to pass motions in the House of Commons and to govern. If he/she does not, he/she risks a vote of no confidence and removal from office.
A Prime Minister is the main spokesperson for his/her government and has to explain government policy to the public. He/she must be available to take questions from the media and to accept invitations to appear at events or receive representatives of non governmental organisations.
The work of a Prime Minister is complex and can not be done alone. He/she needs a team of people to support him/her, from the private secretary and cabinet secretary to other special advisors and the staff of No. 10. Since Walpole first established the office, many prime ministers have relied on a team to help them carry out their duties. This team, sometimes called the ‘back room’, includes the staff that manages votes in the House of Commons and the Lords and supports the political operation of government.