Examine the ways in which the roles of the US president and the UK prime minister are different (12 marks)

Question 1

US president

Answer 1

• elected as president
• appoints cabinet but subject to senate confirmation
• can pursue policy unilaterally (executive orders, signing statements etc)
• limited to 2 full terms in office
• commander in chief of armed forces, but only Congress can declare war

Question 2

UK prime minister

Answer 2

• elected as party leader
• appoints cabinets independently (no confirmation)
• more likely to pursue policy collectively through cabinet
• no term limits
• can use royal prerogative to delcare war amd deploy troops, but subject to parliamentary approval