PM-cabinet Relations

Question 1

Powers of PM

Answer 1

• PM has great authority
• PM patronage, demand loyalty
• PM has large amounts of advisors
• PM chairs cabinet and controls its agenda. Can bypass cabinet.
• PM uses collective responsibility to silence critics

Question 2

Powers of Cabinet

Answer 2

• Ultimately cabinet can remove PM e.g. Margaret Thatcher 1990
• If part divided, harder to control cabinet e.g. David cameron 2010-15
• Undermine PM by publicising cabinet splits