10.3f PM & Cabinet: Balance of Power

Question 1

Presidential Government

Answer 1

A presidential government is when an individual, (in the UK, the PM), is strong and dominant over the executive.

The key features of a presidential-style government in the UK include a strong prime minister’s office, a prime minister with a strong personality and personal leadership and greater focus on the prime minister than the cabinet in the media

Michael Foley in ‘The British Presidency’ (2000) argued that the PM is becoming ‘presidential’ and distances themselves from the government to increase their personal stature.

Question 2

Presidential Government: Prime minister’s office

Answer 2

The prime minister’s office is stronger in a presidential style of government, with many special advisers who have more access to the prime minister than many cabinet members.

For example, Tony Blair’s ‘sofa’ cabinet where he formulated policy with a small number of special advisors, and Gordon Brown’s ‘kitchen’ cabinet where he consulted a small number of cabinet ministers.

Question 3

Presidential Government: Personality

Answer 3

The prime minister’s leadership is personalised with a strong personality that attracts much media attention.

In a personalised leadership, the prime minister is more likely than cabinet to be associated with major policies.

There is personalised leadership in general election campaigns, with the focus on party leaders rather than the party itself.

Televised leadership debates in 2010, 2015 and 2017 reinforced the focus on party leaders.

Question 4

Presidential Government: Foreign Policy

Answer 4

In a presidential style of government, the prime minister has greater control over major foreign policy issues.

A ‘presidential’ prime minister will take personal control over foreign policy, representing the UK at major global conferences, and make military decisions without consulting much with the cabinet or parliament.

Question 5

Presidential Government: Not Presidential

Answer 5

The prime minister has many limits on their power by their party, cabinet and parliament.

Prime ministers are able to be removed from office by party pressure, or through a vote of no confidence by parliament.

The prime minister’s style determines whether they are presidential, as some prime ministers choose to use cabinet far more than others for key decision making.

Question 6

Cabinet Gov’t

Answer 6

In a cabinet government, the prime minister is the first among equals (primus inter pares) meaning they have equal decision making power over policy to all cabinet ministers.

A cabinet government has a more collegial style where government policy is collectively decided by all cabinet members.

The cabinet decides government strategy, including managing all business in parliament such as upcoming votes on government bills.

Question 7

Cabinet Gov’t: Example

Answer 7

In 2010, David Cameron ran a far more cabinet-esque cabinet due to the Liberal Democrat-Tory Coalition