Prime Minister

Question 0

Is the pm now a president?

Answer 0

1. PM is part of legislative ‘primus inter pares’
2. Limitations on prime ministerial power
3. Evidence suggests that people do not vote on basis of party leader
4. Many pms have not been like so
5. Difficult under coalition

Question 1

Is the PM now effectively a president? Yes

Answer 1

1. Michael foley’s special leadership
2. PM acts as head of state
3. Increased media spotlight with televised debates
4. Bilateral meetings
5. Prerogative powers
6. Personal mandate
7. Developing own ideologies

Question 2

Limitations on prime ministerial power

Answer 2

1. PM must maintain support of party (thatcher poll tax)
2. Depends on size of parliamentary majority (john major 1992)
3. Lose support of media (Gordon brown)
4. Events beyond their control (Gordon brown suffered from financial crisis)
5. United cabinet opposition (tony Blair EU currency)
6. In a coalition