PM And Cabinet Evidence

Question 1

Who was bought in as chancellor by both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak

Answer 1

Jeremy Hunt

Having served in the cabinet for 9 years since 2010 Hunt was seen as a safe pair of hands after Kwasi Kwarteng was sacked and is a key reason why Sunak kept him as chancellor after replacing Truss as PM.

Question 2

Liz Truss appointing people with not much experience

Answer 2

Kwasi Kwarteng and James Cleverly

Both had limited experience in gov

Kwarteng was made chancellor despite having served in the cabinet for less than 2 years.

Question 3

Establishing authority: Liz Truss

Answer 3

When she became PM, she removed important members of Johnson’s cabinet including Priti Patel, Nadine Dorries and Dominic Raab.

Question 4

Loyalty and political reliability example Boris Johnson

Answer 4

In his 2020 cabinet reshuffle, for example, Boris Johnson sacked Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith and replace him with ally Brandon Smith, as Julian Smith had spoken out against a no deal Brexit.

Question 5

Loyalty was a major factor in Liz Truss’ government

Answer 5

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng was a key political ally who had limited government experience.

Question 6

Who did Boris Johnson sack from his government and why

Answer 6

Boris Johnson sacked Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith and replaced him with ally Brandon Smith, as Julian Smith had spoken out against a no Brexit deal

Question 7

Loyalty was a major factor in Liz Truss’ selection of her cabinet, almost all of whom had supported her in her leadership campaign for example

Answer 7

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng was a key political ally who had government experience.

Question 8

Theresa may appointed a cabinet with a balance of…..

Answer 8

Theresa may appointed a cabinet with a balance between brexiteers and remainers.

Question 9

Liz Truss didn’t offer……… a cabinet position after……..

Answer 9

Rishi Sunak after defeating him in the 2022 Conservative Party leadership election.

Question 10

Diversity and representation: Tony Blair appointed who??

Answer 10

Blair appointed Margaret Becker as Britain’s first female Foreign Secretary

Question 11

The coalition government was criticised for only having ………….. in the cabinet

Answer 11

4 women in the cabinet

Question 12

Boris Johnson cabinet

Answer 12

Boris Johnson’s December cabinet was very representative in terms of ethnic minorities, with 6 ethnic minority members of cabinet, two of whom were in the key offices of state.

Question 13

PMs becoming too dominant ending bad example

Answer 13

If PMs become too dominant and don’t give ministers some control, this may cause discontent and result in them being removed by the cabinet, as was the cases with Thatcher in 1990 when the resignation of former ally Geoffrey Howe ultimately triggering a leadership challenge that brought Thatcher down.

Question 14

Theresa May failed to ……………….. her cabinet

Answer 14

Theresa May failed to effectively manage her cabinet and was constantly undermined by leaking and briefing against the government, by Boris Johnson in particular.

Question 15

Theresa May keeping something off the agenda example

Answer 15

Theresa May prevented a vote within cabinet on whether a ‘no deal’ Brexit should be an option, despite other important cabinet ministers supporting one.

Question 16

Boris Johnson experienced what from the cabinet

Answer 16

Boris Johnson experience significant leaking from the cabinet

Question 17

Tony Blair use of bi-lateral meetings

Answer 17

Tony Blair and Chancellor Brown negotiated with each other to determine economic policy, whilst Blair often used bi-lateral meetings with important ministers to determine policy on a particular area, as he felt he could use them to talk ministers around to his view.

Blair often used bi-lateral meetings with important ministers to determine policy on a particular area, as he felt he could use them to talk ministers around to his view.

Question 18

Due to his use of bi-lateral governments, Tony Blair’s government was dubbed……..

Answer 18

‘Sofa government’ as he largely shunned out the cabinet

Question 19

Both Theresa May and Boris Johnson used cabinet committees to make decisions on important issues for example

Answer 19

Theresa May used the committee on exiting the EU to make important decisions on Brexit, whilst Boris Johnson used the COVID-19 Strategy committee to make key decisions on COVID restrictions, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove having particular power with it.

Question 20

John Major had…… special advisors but by 2005 Tony Blair had………..

Answer 20

John Major had 8

Tony Blair had 30

Question 21

Despite being unelected, ………………… held a very significant amount of power in …………….. government, arguably far more than any cabinet minister or other member of government.

Answer 21

Special advisor Dominic Cummings

Boris Johnson

Question 22

Blairs attempt to exercise media control in cabinet

Answer 22

Under Blair, Downing Street also tried to exercise considerable control over the government’s messaging in the media, using the Communications and Strategy Directorate in Downing Street. Ministers were sent a line for the day and speeches on policy had to be checked before being delivered in a bid to present a clear and coherent message.

Question 23

Theresa May had much less control over her cabinet after……………

Answer 23

Theresa May had little control over her cabinet after losing her majority in the 2017 general election, with Brexit-supporting ministers, Boris Johnson in particular, consistently briefing against the government and sometimes even speaking against the government.

Question 24

Blair’s majority meant he could endure………

Answer 24

Blairs majorities meant he could endure several rebellions from the Labour left without suffering serious defeats.

Question 25

Thatcher was very popular mid-way through being PM, however became very unpopular with the public and cabinet after

Answer 25

trying to push through with the Poll tax despite its unpopularity and the cabinet opposing it. This was a key factor in key members of her cabinet resigning and ultimately bringing her down.

Question 26

Lizz Truss’ failed…………..

Answer 26

Lizz Truss’ failed mini budget left to a huge drop in support for the conservatives party in the poll. As a result, her cabinet and party forced her out after just 54 days in charge.

Question 27

Theresa May struggled to keep the support of a party that was divided between ……………………..

Answer 27

One-nation conservatives and hard Brexiteers in the European Research Group in particular.

Question 28

Boris Johnson had more success in controlling the party in the early years of his premiership, as rhe party was…………………………..

Answer 28

United after he kicked out many one-nation conservatives from the party and replaced them in the 2019 election with Brexiteers who were personally loyal to him.

Question 29

Crises can enhance PMs reputation 2 examples

Answer 29

Blair’s response to princess Diana’s death boosted his standing as new PM, whilst Cameron was praised for his response to the 2011 riots.

Question 30

PMs are becoming presidentialised

Answer 30

2019 Boris Johnson distanced himself from the Conservative Party that had been in power for 9 years and sought to present himself as offering the electorate a change. His personal popularity was important to the Conservative Party being able to win over significant numbers of former Labour voters in the Red Wall.

Question 31

PM acting like the head of state: Tony Blair

Answer 31

Tony Blair drove foreign policy in the Iraq War and had a very close personal relationship with George Bush.

Question 32

Media - Tony Blair was very successful at………

Answer 32

Tony Blair was very successful in courting support from the right-wing press and developing his personal image. Due to his high popularity at the start of his premiership, he was able to determine a lot of government policy himself, for example in health and education, where there was a lot of centralised control.

Question 33

PM distancing themselves from their party in order to gain personal support example

Answer 33

In the 2019 election, Boris Johnson distances himself from the Conservative Party that had been in power for 9 years and sought to present himself as offering the electorate a change, including a move away from austerity.

Question 34

PM relying on the cabinet example: Theresa May

Answer 34

When Theresa May was seeking to introduce a Brexit deal, the hardline Brexiteers in her cabinet, including Boris Johnson, had a lot of influence due to their support among the party and forced Theresa May to a harder Brexit deal.

Question 35

Coalition government making PM struggle to act presidentially example

Answer 35

David Cameron struggled to act presidentially as he was in charge of a coalition government and therefore needed to cooperate with the Liberal Democrat’s both in Parliament and the cabinet.

Question 36

Margaret Thatchers majorities each time

Answer 36

1979 - 43
1983 - 144
1987 - 102

Question 37

Thatcher did what to trade unions and miners strike

Answer 37

Weakened their powers with 5 key pieces of legislation and won the miner’s strike of 1984-85

Question 38

Thatcher privatisation

Answer 38

Governments privatisation programme sae many huge industries having their shares sold.

British Gas, British Airways and water companies

Question 39

Margaret Thatcher Falklands war

Answer 39

Victory in falklands war boosted her approval ratings when they were very low, playing an important part in her 1983 election victory.

Question 40

MT British interests

Answer 40

Defended British interests in Europe, resisting moves to create a stronger political union whilst championing the European Economic Community.

Question 41

Thatcher introduced what scheme

Answer 41

The ‘Right To Buy’ scheme which enabled many to buy their social housing and get onto the property ladder.

Question 42

Thatchers main failures/ setbacks

Answer 42

• up until 1982, thatcher was very unpopular, having introduced unpopular economic measures that didn’t yet appear to be having a beneficial effect on the economy. Her election victory in 1983 can be seen as fortunate and very dependent on the Falklands War.
• due to her conviction style and sidelining of her cabinet, Thatcher became very unpopular with her cabinet at the end of her reign and was forced to join the Exchange Rate Mechanism by Chancellor John Major before being forced to resign.
• introduction of the Poll Tax in 1989/90 was hugely unpopular, leading to huge riots in London and councils finding it difficult to administer and collect, with many people refusing to pay.
• Thatcher failed to contain the violence of the IRA, as shown by the 1984 Brighton Bombing, which was an attempted assassination attempt on Thatcher.

Question 43

Thatchers strengths as a PM

Answer 43

• Thatcher was a conviction politician with an extremely dominant personality, who refused to compromise with her opponents. Her supporters thought of her as principled and visionary.
• through policies such as the Right To Buy scheme, Thatcher was able to become popular beyond the traditional Conservative Party base and win the support of some working class voters.

Question 44

Thatcher’s weaknesses as a PM

Answer 44

• Thatcher made less use of her cabinet than her predecessors, keeping many issues away from the cabinet and often beginning cabinet discussions by announcing government policy on an issue. By 1990 she had few allies in her cabinet, leading to her forced resignation.
• Thatcher was stubborn and uncompromising. Despite fasting huge criticism, she introduced Section 28 in 1988, which was extremely homophobic, banning the ‘promotion of homosexuality’ in school.
  When introducing the poll tax she ignored warnings from the chancellor and treasury and didn’t fully consult local authorities.

Question 45

Cameron’s main policies/achievements

Answer 45

• introduced a number of progressive social policies, including the legislation of same-sex marriage.
• increased the minimum wage and personal allowance, as well as reducing taxes on those with very high incomes.
• Cameron’s government brought the UK out of recession and stabilised the financial system following the 2008 financial crash, by introducing a harsh programme of austerity.
• prevented Scotland from becoming independent in the 2014 referendum.
• further devolution to Scotland and wales
• continued education reform, through promoting academics.

Question 46

Cameron’s main setbacks/failures

Answer 46

• he only won a small majority in 2015 and only won a decent majority in 2010 because of a coalition with the Lib Dem’s.
• the Conservative Party remained divided over Europe throughout his premiership, which became a major barrier to Cameron becoming a dominant leader.
• he was unable to intervene military in Syria due to parliament voting against it.
• he called and lost the 2016 EU referendum
• he was criticising for making a number of policy u-turns, including plans for the reorganisation of the NHS
• Lib Dem’s proposed HoL reform was defeated, making the coalition difficult thereafter and preventing boundary review which was the tradeoff.
• austerity had a very negative impact on local politics, as council budgets were cut a great deal.

Question 47

Cameron’s strengths as a PM

Answer 47

• managed to unite the Conservative Party and Lib Dem’s behind the need for austerity and get the whole cabinet to implement it.
• he managed to prevent challenges to his leadership by forming strong bonds with Osborne, Clegg and May and keeping opponents such as Johnson near the centre of power.
• appeared temperamentally suited to coalition and allowed ministers greater freedom to get on with their jobs, adopting a more collegial approach than Thatcher of Blair, whilst using a seemingly successful method of decision making with the Quad.

Question 48

Cameron’s weaknesses as a PM

Answer 48

• due to the coalition agreements, Cameron often lacked control and he had problems exerting the personal power he would’ve liked to wield.
• internal divisions over Europe constantly made his party difficult to lead and ultimately led to his downfall.
• to a certain extent, the coalition constrained Cameron’s power as PM, limiting his power of patronage and ability to come up with a pass policy ideas, whilst meaning he head to constantly manage tensions between the two parties as well as within his own.
• Cameron never had a comfortable parliamentary majority.
  He won 2015 election with a majority of just 12.