2.5 Powers of the PM

Question 1

What are (royal) prerogative powers?

Answer 1

• the powers formerly exercised by the monarch without constraint, now delegated to the prime minister of the day
• they include powers of patronage (selection of ministers), conducting foreign policy & commanding the armed forces
• they also include being able to call a general election & also suspend parliament

Question 2

What are the main four (royal) prerogative powers?

Answer 2

• war
• calling a general election

Question 3

‘war’ - for

Question 4

‘war’ - against

Answer 4

1. contrary to May’s action in Syria, Blair started a new trend of going to the Commons first for a vote on it before deploying troops: this is seen in Iraq in 2003
2. David Cameron also went to the Commons in 2013 for airstrikes on Syria - it failed the vote: in 2015 though, airstrikes were approved

Question 5

calling a general election - for

Answer 5

1. extremely flexible: PMs can call a general election at any given time

Question 6

prorogation (suspension) of Parliament - for

Answer 6

• ## this would last for roughly a week; alternatively Parliament can be prorogued in recess

Question 7

prorogation (suspension) of Parliament - against

Answer 7

• Boris Johnson tried to do this in 2019 by suspending Parliament for 5 weeks: the Supreme Court stepped in & ruled it as unlawful meaning it was only suspended for 6 days
• this would affect the power of the PM; for example this is signified as a ‘ceremonial’ power

Question 8

power of patronage - for

Answer 8

the PM can choose who they want in their cabinet

Question 9

power of patronage - against

Answer 9

some PMs will deliberately put an ‘enemy’ in their cabinet to avoid conflict - they are bound by collective responsibility e.g. Boris Johnson (hard Brexiteer) in May’s cabinet (who was remain)