10.3ePM & Cabinet: Relations

Question 1

Use of prime minister’s powers

Answer 1

The use of the prime minister’s powers over the cabinet will determine the relationship between both and the importance of the cabinet’s role.

The prime minister decides what is on the cabinet’s agenda, chairs all cabinet meetings and summarises the cabinet’s decisions at the end of meetings.

The prime minister decides how often cabinet meetings should take place and for how long.

Question 2

Prime minister’s use of cabinet

Answer 2

The prime minister’s use of cabinet for key policy decision making will affect relations.

Prime minister’s using an inner circle of advisers over the full cabinet to make decisions will weaken the cabinet’s power.

Prime ministers may operate an inner cabinet or sofa government, which is an informal type of decision making between prime minister’s and their advisers, to coordinate policy rather than a cabinet.

Question 3

Example of a sofa government

Answer 3

PM Tony Blair’s ‘sofa government’ involved discussing policy in detail with special advisers and his close team.

Advisers included his chief of staff Jonathan Powell and communications director, Alistair Campbell.

Question 4

Cabinet members

Answer 4

The strength of cabinet members influences the prime minister and cabinet’s relationship.

Strong cabinet members, with influence in the party, are more difficult to be ignored by the prime minister.

Question 5

Media focus

Answer 5

The media’s focus and portrayal of the prime minister help to determine how strong the prime minister is.

More media focus on the prime minister than on the cabinet gives a prime minister more authority over their cabinet, with the prime minister the main communicator of government policy to the public.

The media can also weaken the prime minister’s authority by criticising the prime minister and undermining them.

Question 6

Prime minister’s popularity

Answer 6

A prime minister’s popularity among ministers and the public will affect the prime minister’s relationship with the cabinet.

A more popular and successful prime minister with voters and cabinet ministers is likely to have greater control over their cabinet.

A less popular prime minister has less support from their cabinet, leading to cabinet ministers resigning which damages the public impression of the prime minister and government.