Evaluate the view that the Constraints on PMs are too strong for their being able to be successful?

Question 1

LoA

Answer 1

not too strong

Question 2

para 1 theme

Answer 2

opposition

Question 3

para 2 theme

Answer 3

party

Question 4

para 3 theme

Answer 4

events and economy

Question 5

para 1 opposition

Answer 5

• Although the opposition check power, the majority of PMs still succeed
  
  • Not all opposition leaders are strong like Blair and Cameron, and a weaker opposition leader can actually boost the position of the PM. William Hague outlined the weaknesses of the Conservatives and the strengths of the Blair government. Michael Foot outlined the weaknesses of the Labour party and the strengths of Thatcher’s government.
  • Large parliamentary majorities are often a given due to the electoral system of FPTP can completely nullify any opposition. Blair in 1997 and 2001 secured huge majorities, meaning he was blae to absorb rebellions over Iraq, with him not losing a single vote in parliament until 2005.
    Boris Johnson has secured a majority of 80 meaning he is quite difficult to defeat in parliament.

Question 6

para 1 however

Answer 6

• Blair outlined the inefficiencies of the major government when he was the leader of the opposition (1994-97)
  
  • Major suffered four defeats in his last three years of tenure e.g in 1996 over limiting pay increases (317-168)
  • When a PM command a small majority, policy can become very hard e.g Wilson 65-66 majority of 4, Major 92-997 majority of 21
    May had a minority government supported by the DUP, and she lost her first Brexit vote by 230 votes. She also failed to pass policy on grammar schools and prisons due to her weak position in parliament.

Question 7

para 1 rebuttal

Answer 7

This is all dependent on the strength of the opposition leader and strength of majority. Not every opposition leader is as strong as Tony Blair, and given FPTP majorities are quite likely.

Question 8

para 2 party

Answer 8

• Despite 118 Tory MPs voting against May’s Brexit deal, they would vote against Labour vote of no confidence 24 hours later
  
  • Control over cabinet, chance to assert their authority. Thatcher used her cabinet to great effect, asserting herself over her party. Michael Heseltine said that Thatcher already had her mind up when she came into cabinet meetings.
    Inner circles of advisors ‘kitchen gov’ under Wilson and ‘sofa gov’ under Blair

Question 9

para 2 however

Answer 9

• Party rebellions are on the rise, with the conservative party faction voting against Johnson’s COVID restrictions.
  
  • Cabinet is “the cement which binds the government together”
  • PM does not have compete control - political beasts can emerge (Gove and Johnson under Cameron)
  • Cabinet appointment can be bad e.g. May had many a resignations in her cabinet and appointed many lacklustre chancellors, Dominic Raab and Fiona Hill also resigned under the May government
  • Thatcher’s cabinet was in fact what spelled her downfall, with her being forced out by individuals like Heseltine
  • May had 118 MPs vote against her
  • Cameron had 81 MPs defy a three line whip to back an EU referendum

Question 10

para 2 rebuttal

Answer 10

Loyalty is required for self advancement, and given the power of the whip system, MPs will have to follow the PMs agenda if they are too gain promotion, idea of the “carrot and stick”

Question 11

para 3 events and economy

Answer 11

• Brown used 2008-2009 financial crisis to show his skilful handling of international leaders (G20 summit in London April 2009)
  
  • COVID has provided Johnson the chance to do so, can boast success of vaccine rollout, took attention away from Brexit
    Blair showed his skill in Ireland, Iraq, the death of princess Diana, 9/11 and 7/7 bombing

Question 12

para 3 however

Answer 12

• Major struggled incredibly with the economic crises he faced before 1997
  
  • Johnson and COVID - party gate has greatly undermined his authority, and is something he cannot escape even despite the Ukraine crisis
  • Macmillan said that the power of the PM depends on ‘events, dear boy, events’
  • Macmillan would be played by scandals (profumo, vassell)
  • 24,000 - 30,000 people died due to Johnson’s poor management
    May (Brexit, Grenfell, Manchester, Westminster attack)

Question 13

para 3 rebuttal

Answer 13

• There are always benefits from events as shown by Brown’s performance after the 2008-09 financial crisis.
  Negative events can be forgotten if the PM does well somewhere else, Johnson is hoping party gate will go away if he is able to end the Ukraine War.