ETVT power of PM has decreased since 2010 Flashcards
structure
extent to which PM controls cabinet
prerogative powers of pM
power of PM over parliament
examples
PM control decrease since 2010 examples
strong leaders
HOC consent is needed for military examples
power to call snap election due to
enforcing CMR examples suspended
for patronage examples
jan 2024 sunak and airstrikes
despite FTPA sunak did what
2023 sunak sacked who
wright reforms examples
major defeats
large. majorities
2024 starmer bypassing debate
TM
liz truss
BJ
sunak no big beasts after sacking braverman, starmer no big beats majority and early on
DC 2013 syria vote
2011 FPTPA 2/3 mps
2010 coalition LD exempt from 4 issues nuclear weapons and trident renewal
Michale Gove opposing govt pro eu stance
sunak app DC making him a peer bypassing convention
Yemen w/o consent of parliament defying post iraq convention
called snap election in 2017 and 2019 and repealed act in 2022
braverman
Emily theornebrry china and russia
feb 2023 committee debate on NHS funding
cam 7 times In coalition and 3 with majority
may 33
BJ 12 in 6 months w minority
TB 4 in ten years
sunak 76% of 56 bills passed
starmer all
decreasing prisoner release terms through statuory instruments bypassing scrutiny
feb 2025 increased defense budget to 2.5%
LOA
yes it has decreased
- for control cabinet
Prime Ministerial control decreased since 2010 due to issues with cabinet discipline, leaks, and resignations.
Tony Blair (pre-2010) had strong control over his cabinet and party.
Theresa May (2016-2019) struggled with cabinet unity:
Boris Johnson and other ministers openly defied her on Brexit, leaking dissatisfaction and voting against government policies.
May was unable to sack Johnson due to his popularity within the party, especially with Brexiteers.
Liz Truss (2022) lacked control over her cabinet:
Tried to push through policies unilaterally, similar to Blair’s approach, but faced major opposition.
Resigned after 54 days following cabinet resignations, showcasing the lack of support from key ministers.
Boris Johnson (2019-2022) also experienced cabinet turmoil:
Multiple ministers resigned during his time in office, including high-profile figures like Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid.
This contributed to his eventual downfall despite initially appearing strong within the party.
- against cabinet
Prime Minister power since 2010 hasn’t decreased due to effective control by leaders like Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.
Rishi Sunak’s control:
No “big beasts” in his cabinet (e.g., after Braverman’s sacking in 2023), making it harder for ministers to challenge him.
Despite being unpopular, he faces limited cabinet opposition and has maintained collective ministerial responsibility.
Keir Starmer’s control:
Faces limited leaking and no real challenges to his power, despite being very unpopular (-40% net favourability in Feb 2025).
Reasons for this control:
Few “big beasts” in his cabinet (mostly lesser-known figures).
A 174-seat majority in Parliament, enabling him to pass legislation without major resistance.
Early in leadership, with the cabinet giving him time to improve government popularity.
Prime Ministers before 2010 didn’t have complete control:
Margaret Thatcher was forced out by her cabinet.
John Major struggled with a divided cabinet over Europe
- for prerogatives
Decline in the power of the Prime Minister’s prerogative powers since 2010:
Power to declare war and use armed forces:
Traditionally a Prime Minister prerogative power, but House of Commons consent is now required for major military action.
David Cameron’s Syria vote (2013): Lost a vote on airstrikes in Syria, which limited his ability to act unilaterally.
Power to call a snap General Election:
The 2011 Fixed Term Parliaments Act removed the Prime Minister’s ability to call an election at will.
Now, elections can only be triggered by a vote of no confidence or support from 2/3rds of MPs.
Power of patronage and enforcing collective ministerial responsibility:
2010 coalition government: Liberal Democrat ministers were exempt from collective responsibility on four issues, including nuclear power and Trident renewal.
EU referendum: Collective ministerial responsibility was suspended, with key ministers like Michael Gove publicly opposing the government’s pro-EU stance
- against prerogatives
Prime Minister’s Patronage: In 2023, Sunak appointed David Cameron as Foreign Secretary, bypassing the usual convention by making him a peer, highlighting Sunak’s patronage power.
Prerogative Powers: In January 2024, Sunak ordered airstrikes in Yemen without parliamentary consent, defying post-Iraq conventions requiring parliamentary approval for military action.
Fixed Term Parliaments Act: Despite the Act, Sunak called snap elections in 2017 and 2019, and it was repealed in 2022, restoring the Prime Minister’s power to call elections at will.
Collective Ministerial Responsibility: In 2023, Sunak sacked Braverman for breaching the ministerial code, demonstrating his control. Starmer also maintains discipline with minimal leaks from his cabinet.
- power of PM over parliament
Wright Reforms (2010): Reduced PM control over Parliament by allowing MPs to elect Select Committee chairs, increasing independence. Example: Emily Thornberry, as Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, has criticised government policies on China and Russia.
BBBC Gave backbenchers a say on Parliament’s agenda, reducing government control. Example: In February 2023, the committee held a debate on NHS funding and staffing.
defeats in parliament
Cameron: Defeated 7 times during his coalition government (2010-2015) and 3 times with a Conservative majority (2015-2017).
May: Defeated 33 times during her minority government (2017-2019). Her most significant defeat came on January 15, 2019, with a 432-202 vote against the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, the largest defeat in modern political history.
Johnson: Defeated 12 times in 6 months with a minority government (2017-2019) and 4 times in 3 years with a majority government (2019-2022).
Blair: Only 4 defeats in 10 years, all in his third term (2005-2007), showing his stronger control over Parliament compared to later Prime Ministers.
- against power over parliament
Large Majorities: Sunak’s government (2019 election) passed 76% of 56 bills in the 2022/23 session, including the Illegal Migration Act and Online Safety Act. Starmer, with a 174-seat majority in 2024, has faced no major obstacles in passing legislation.
FPTP System: The First-Past-The-Post system allows the government to maintain control despite declining party support.
Secondary Legislation: In July 2024, the Labour government reduced prisoner release terms through a statutory instrument, bypassing full parliamentary debate. February 2025 saw budget cuts to international aid without new legislation.
Budget Control: The government reallocated the UK’s aid budget to increase defence spending in February 2025, using executive powers rather than requiring new laws.
Whipping System: Even with small majorities, Prime Ministers can still pass legislation by effectively whipping MPs, and the House of Lords has limited power to block bills
LOA
yes
