etvt the prime minister is able to dominate the cabinet Flashcards
sections
power of patronage vs big beasts
pM can bypass cabinet vs cabinet remain important in decision making
the PM can develop personal popularity vs the PM needs the support of the cabinet
examples
who did truss remove
starmers net favoirbility
2020 sunak sacked who
TM included both ?
TB shared control with ?
BJ undermined who
May used what comitee
Johnson used what strategy
Major how many SPADS
Blair spads
Cummings influence under who
2024 starmer spads
starmers chief of staff unelected advisor
Blair used which units
Mays brexit deal shaped by
Sunak gave ? autonomy (2)
Cameron peace talks for who
Hunt announced which major ec statement 2023
During covid Johnson relied on who
Micheal foleys spatial leadership
Pms removed by govt ?
priti and dominic
-40%
suella braver man as home sec
both Brexiteers (Boris Johnson, David Davis) and Remainers (Philip Hammond, Jeremy Hunt).
gordon brown
undermined May, leaking criticisms and writing anti-government articles.
May used the Brexit Committee, and Johnson used the COVID-19 Strategy Committee (key figures: Matt Hancock, Michael Gove).
8
30
BJ
80+ across govt
Morgan mcsweeny
Blair used the Strategy Unit for long-term planning and the Delivery Unit to enforce Health & Education policies. spads r unelected
May’s Brexit deal was shaped by hardline Brexiteers (e.g., Boris Johnson) and the DUP.
Hunt and Cam
yemen and isreal vs paelstine
Hunt announced major economic policies (e.g., NI tax cut, 2023 Autumn Statement)
Matt Hancock
PMs act more like US presidents, distancing from their party to appeal directly to the public.
Thatcher poll tax , Truss, Johnson, May
- pM patronage vs big beasts
effective PM uses POP to shape top teams to enhance power/policies/agenda removes poor performers fresh talent ideological allies
allow PM to maintain authority and marginalize power of ind. who want to destabilize the govt
new PM remove former cabinet ministers with own allies they can rely on
liz truss removed priti and dominic
Starmer’s cabinet prioritised loyalty, with most ministers retaining their shadow roles.
Few high-profile figures ( big beasts), allowing Starmer to maintain control with no leaks or leadership challenges despite
Starmer’s net favourability -40% (Feb 2025).
PMs can sack ministers for breaching collective responsibility.
Nov 2023: Sunak sacked Suella Braverman as Home Secretary.
She published an unauthorised Times article accusing police of bias in pro-Palestinian protests.
Violated the ministerial code and challenged Sunak’s authority.
- against pM patronage vs big beasts
PMs must balance party factions, limiting their ability to appoint only loyal allies.
Theresa May included both Brexiteers (Boris Johnson, David Davis) and Remainers (Philip Hammond, Jeremy Hunt).
‘Big beasts’ can restrict a PM’s power.
Tony Blair had to share control with Gordon Brown, who blocked joining the Euro with five economic tests.
Weak PMs struggle to enforce collective responsibility.
Boris Johnson undermined May, leaking criticisms and writing anti-government articles.
May couldn’t sack him due to his popularity with Brexiteers and her own weak position.
- for pM can bypass cabinet vs cabinet remain important in decision making
PMs can bypass Cabinet using committees, SPADs, and Downing Street staff.
Blair used ‘sofa government’, making decisions in bi-lateral meetings.
May used the Brexit Committee, and Johnson used the COVID-19 Strategy Committee (key figures: Matt Hancock, Michael Gove).
SPADs play a growing role in decision-making.
Major had 8 SPADs; Blair (2005) had 30.
Cummings had major influence in Johnson’s government, with Johnson defending him despite his COVID rule breach.
By 2024, Starmer had 20+ SPADs in No.10, 80+ across government.
Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s Chief of Staff, is a powerful unelected advisor.
Growth of Downing Street strengthens PM control.
Blair used the Strategy Unit for long-term planning and the Delivery Unit to enforce Health & Education policies. spads r unelected
- against for pM can bypass cabinet vs cabinet remain important in decision making
PMs can’t fully bypass Cabinet and rely on ministers to deliver policy.
UK operates under a core-executive model where power is fragmented.
PMs depend on Cabinet when facing rivalries, small majorities, or low popularity.
May’s Brexit deal was shaped by hardline Brexiteers (e.g., Boris Johnson) and the DUP.
Sunak gave Hunt (Chancellor) and Cameron (Foreign Sec.) significant autonomy.
Cameron led UK peace talks (Israel-Palestine) & Yemen response.
Hunt announced major economic policies (e.g., NI tax cut, 2023 Autumn Statement).
Since 2010, coalition/small-majority governments have made Cabinet influence stronger.
Cameron had to consult Nick Clegg (Lib Dem leader) to secure support.
Cabinet is crucial for crisis management & public unity.
During COVID, Johnson relied on Matt Hancock and other ministers.
- for the PM can develop personal popularity vs the PM needs the support of the cabinet
PMs can dominate Cabinet by leveraging personal popularity to drive policy.
Michael Foley’s ‘Spatial Leadership’: PMs act more like US presidents, distancing from their party to appeal directly to the public.
2019 Election: Boris Johnson distanced himself from 9 years of Tory rule, presenting himself as a change candidate, winning Red Wall voters.
Growth of TV, social media, and leader debates strengthens PM influence.
Blair secured right-wing press support, boosting his personal image.
His high popularity early on let him centralise control over health & education policy.
- against for the PM can develop personal popularity vs the PM needs the support of the cabinet
PMs depend on their party to pass laws and on Cabinet to deliver policy.
If they sideline Cabinet, they risk removal.
Unpopular PMs are often forced out.
May, Johnson, and Truss were removed by their Cabinets & Conservative Party after losing public support.
PM power is ‘elastic’—the more they expand control, the more resistance they face.
Thatcher (1990) was ousted by her Cabinet despite a big majority.
Poll Tax (1989/90): Pushed through without consulting local authorities, faced party backlash.
Her conviction politics & sidelining of Cabinet led to her downfall.
LOA
no
