power lies mainly with the Prime Minister and not the Cabinet.

Question 1

Control over Cabinet Appointments (Patronage Power)

Answer 1

Bojo sweeping reshuffle appointed many loyalists to pass brexit easily

2. Tony Blair – Loyalty Over Experience (1997–2007)
   Blair was known for favouring loyal “New Labour” allies over traditional left-wing MPs.

He promoted:

David Miliband

Blair sidelined critics like Clare Short (marginalising her in the cabinet)

Question 2

Control Over the Policy Agenda

Answer 2

Tony Blair was known for “sofa government,” sidelining cabinet in favour of informal decision-making with close advisers.

90% of government bills pass and non-govt business typically only gets one day a week of discussion

Question 3

Majority Governments Strengthen PM Control

Answer 3

Margaret Thatcher ruled with a firm hand in the 1980s, famously saying “the lady’s not for turning,” ignoring some cabinet warnings.–(144 seat majority)

Bojo 80 seat majority passed brexit much more quickly than theresa may

Question 4

Cabinet is Required for Collective Responsibility

Answer 4

Coalition Government (2010–2015) forced David Cameron to share power with the Liberal Democrats, especially through the Quad and Cabinet Committees.

theresa may had to balance ‘leavers’ and ‘remainers’

Question 5

PMs Can Be Overruled or Undermined by Cabinet

Answer 5

In 2022, Boris Johnson was brought down not by the opposition, but by the resignations of key cabinet ministers (Sunak and Javid).

Margaret thatcher
3. Particularly over Europe — Thatcher’s Euroscepticism clashed with pro-Europe factions in her Cabinet.

Resignations by key ministers like Geoffrey Howe (whose resignation speech was devastating)

Question 6

Weak PMs Must Rely on Cabinet Unity

Answer 6

Theresa May, with no majority after 2017, constantly had to negotiate with cabinet factions over Brexit.