EXTRA-The role and increase power of the PM Flashcards
Who do the PM’s powers derive from?
the royal prerogative
What is the range of the PM’s responsibilities?
from oversight of the security services to liaising with the Monarch in a weekly meeting.
What does the PM meet with the Monarch weekly to do?
the PM keeps her informed of what the government is doing and advise on matters such as the constitutional implications of a royal marriage or divorce
What are the 6 chief tasks of the PM?
- Leader of his party in the country and in parliament
- responsibility for the appointment and dismissal of members of the cabinet
- Leader of the government at home and abroad
- Powers of patronage
- royal prerogative
- used to determine general election
How will the PM use their powers of leadership?
to keep the party united, working our compromise solutions if necessary
Why can the government be vulnerable meaning that the PM cannot successfully perform the role of leading their party?
when the majority is small and there is a sizeable block of MPs who reject key themes of party leaderships policy
Why is the chief role of the PM being able to hire, fire or reshuffle colleges a crucial role?
as this can make or break their careers
What day does the PM answer questions at PMQ’S?
Wednesdays
What does PMQ’s act as on occasions such as the death of Princess Diana or some national disaster?
the publics voice
As apart of the PM’s role of national leadership where will they sometimes appear?
on TV and will address the nation directly
Where does the PM represent the nation as a leader of the government at home and abroad?
in summit conferences with European leaders, the US president and other worlds states people
Who traditionally had powers of patronage?
the monarch
Who does the PM appoint? (4)
-bishops
-peers
-Chairman of the BBC
-Privy Council
+ all government ministers
Before the set general election of every 5 years, what power did the PM have in this regards?
the PM decided to ask the Monarch to dissolve parliament and consequently the timing of polling day
Which PM fought 2 elections after a 5 year term?
John Major
Under Tony Blair what has happened to the Prime Ministers Office?
it has been greatly expanded and politicised in order to enhance its capacity to support his personal approach to premiership
unlike other ministers, what does the PM not have?
a department
What is the Prime Ministers Office made up of? (2)
permanent civil servants and political advisers
What has happened to the Prime Ministers Office which is made up of permanent civl servants and political advisors ?
it has increased in size and its membership is divided into 5 components
What does the Private Office do?
this handles the PM’s official engagements and his relationship with parliament and government departments
What is the Policy Unit?
this comprises of outside specialists brought in to advise on specific aspects of government policy
What does the Political Unit do?
This exists to create a bridge between the party and the PM
What is the role of the Press Office?
they handle relations with the media, a major importance in the Blair era due to party presentation
What is the role of the Strategic Communications Unit?
this is there to spot pitfalls and coordinate ministerial announcements, ensuring that Downing Street is ahead of the game and in control of the overall direction of government
What is patronage?
political patronage is the granting of favours or rewards, in this case to appoint people to important and often highly prestigious public offices
What does primus inter pares mean?
first among equals
When was the PM thought to be primus inter pares (first amoung equals)?
beginning of 20th century
What did primus inter pares *first amoung equals) mean?
that even though the PM has powers denied to other ministers, the cabinet reached decisions collectively and on a majority basis
What is the difference between a PM and a dictator?
a dictator can only be removed by a military coup whereas a PM can always be evicted from Number 10 in the next general election or a vote of no confidence
What are the 5 constraints on the PM?
- The Cabinet
- the Party
- Parliament
- Events
- Hostility in the media
What will the way in which the PM and their colleagues work together depend on?
the mix of personalities involved as relationships are complex and fluid
When may premiers see their support melt away from the party when they impose strong discipline on backbenchers?
near elections, MPs who fear for their seats may oppose the PM
Who is an example of who had to resign when the loss of back bench support withered?
Margret Thatcher / Blair / May
When were Tony Blair’s critics regularly willing to challenge Tony Blair in the party on parliamentary divisions which undermined his authority?
After he announced he would not serve full term if re-elected before the 2005 general election
Why do PM’s need to retain their support in parliament?
in order to get their policies through the chamber
What does the PM appear on Wednesdays to be subjected to during Question time? (2)
- to defend policies to occasional select committee hearings
- to sell policies on contentious issues such as Iraq
Who said “events, dear boy, events” ?
Harold Macmillan, Conservative PM of 1950’s and 60’s
What will a poor PM on television soon find out?
that the media is useful to charismatic politicians but a problem for the less articulate
IN what 2 election years did Tony Blair have a remarkable degree of press support?
1997, 2001
Which newspaper contributed in 2005 to the marked hostility after issues in 2005 such as the Iraq War effects
Daily Mail
What are the 8 central elements to prime ministerial power today?
- Appointments
- Power of Cabinet committees
- leadership of party
- single party government
- Patronage
- wartime leadership (for some)
- bureaucratic support of PM’s office and Cabinet office
- Public visibility
