How The Role Of PM Has Changed Over Time

Question 1

What is the accusation that the PM has become more presidential

Answer 1

-PM morphed into being more autocratic + towering figure
-thatcher’s style criticised being intolerant + overbearing - cabinet depicted as comprised of ‘wets’ + ‘dries’ (dissenters + supporters)
-2010-15 coalition some felt that despite power sharing most power concentrated on 4 leading figures - ‘The Quad’ — PM Cameron, deputy PM Clegg, chancellor Osborne + Chief sec treasure Alexander
-this quad created sense of distance between PM + rest of cabinet + also relies on ‘kitchen cab’

Question 2

What is the case against PM becoming more presidential?

Answer 2

-PMs weak parl majorities in different place e.g. may suffered 2 defeats jan + march 2019 over proposed Brexit deal + July 2018 divided cabinet agreed ‘chequer deal’ but next 2 days Brexit sec resigned over deal
-may failed get deal through + forced out of office resigning June 2019
-govt lacked majority + depended on DUP to get legislation through
-former senior minister Kaufman 1989 said best way minister wield power by listening + working alongside others + reduce be captive of small clique

Question 3

How has the roll of PM become more presidential in terms of bypassing full cabinet meetings

Answer 3

-recent PMs Blair + Thatcher accused as said to have frequently by passed full cabinet meetings preferring smaller gatherings of ministers
-e.g. sept 1981 she reshuffled cab + engaged in prime ministerial govt
-but no formal changes in powers of pm + if anything have been reduced e.g. easily calling gen elec

Question 4

How has role PM become more presidential in terms of SpAds

Answer 4

-some growth in use of SpAds seeking advice from civil service
-e.g. Cummings to Johnson 2020 he appealed for ‘weirdos + misfits with odd skills’ apply jobs with incoming Johnson govt was outside usual recruitment
-but thatcher, blair, major, may + Cameron didn’t follow this approach - traditional advice sources are still used e.g. COVID 19 response where advice came from medical experts like Whitty

Question 5

How has the role of PM become more presidential in terms of media scrutiny

Answer 5

-increased media scrutiny led tomore PMs focus on popular media to take their message directly to people e.g. chat shows + interviews
-image conscious PMs want prevent themselves in media as collaborative e.g. boris during pandemic to hide his party