Prime Minister and the Executive Flashcards
Evaluate the view that since 2010 the UK has seen a return to cabinet government.
1: Cameron led a coalition government
rather than a single party, majority
government.
However: Cameron was able to implement his austerity policies. Also, Cameron used the coalition ‘quad’ to bypass Cabinet.
2: May’s lost her majority in 2017.
However: PMs have used their positions as party leader, the power of patronage and the convention of collective responsibility to dominate their cabinet.
3: Conservative party divisions mean
cabinet has been more prominent.
However: The PM increasingly bypasses Cabinet through the use of special advisers and Cabinet Committees.
Evaluate the extent to which the cabinet can act as a check on prime ministerial power
1: it is required to approve the prime ministers policy decisions, and has the power to overrule the PM.
However: electorate ultimately decides who will be prime minister through regular elections, and therefore their role is the most significant in limiting the prime minister’s power.
- due to the limited support of Cameron that the coalition was formed in the first place, which led to him requiring support from cabinet. Thus, the cabinet is less significant than the electorate in limiting the prime ministers power, because ultimately the electorate decides how significant the cabinet will be in the impending governmen
2: must limit PMs powers
- David Cameron ran a cabinet style government due to the formation of the coalition, meaning he had to seek Liberal Democrat agreement over key policies
- the cabinet played a key role in balancing the power of the PM during the 2010 coalition government, and consequently it can be argued that cabinet play the most important role in limiting the prime minister’s power.
Evaluate the extent to which the Prime Minister’s selection of ministers is mainly influenced by whoever is most experienced and skilled
Evaluate the view that the relationship between Cabinet and the Prime Minister represents a ‘presidential government’
Presidential:
- Decisions commonly taken in committees hand-picked by PM, or small groups and bilateral meetings; Cabinet a ‘rubber stamp’
- PM controls agenda and length of Cabinet meetings, doesn’t have to inform Cabinet members of things
- ‘Presidentialisation’ of PM, with heavier media focus and personalisation of power
- Stronger international role
Isn’t presidential:
- Cabinet approves govt decisions, conferring legitimacy on them
- Need for Cabinet support as evidenced w/Thatcher and May
- Importance of Cabinet in military conflict
1: act like a head of state, particularly in the context of foreign policy and in emergencies when they can rally the country behind them.
- Tony Blair had a very close personal relationship with George Bush and drove foreign policy in relation to the Iraq War, with little discussion around the cabinet table and ministers denied access to key documents.
- The Prime Minister represents the United Kingdom in international conferences such as the G7 and G20.
Gordon Brown, for example, played an important role in hosting the G20 in London in 2009 and coordinating the international response to the 2008 Financial Crisis.
- Though the monarch is the official Head of State in the UK, they play no political role and it is usually the Prime Minister that welcomes foreign leaders.
However: limited by their personality and events outside of their control.
- Prime Ministers who lack charisma and are hampered by events outside of their control are much less likely to be able to act presidentially.
Whilst Blair and Thatcher may have been able to be more presidential, John Major, Gordon Brown and Theresa May were much less able to do so.
2: Relationship with the media/importance of leadership
Yes: dualist view in campaigns, briefing room, personal campaigns
No: unity of party is also key in campaign s- if party is not united behind leader they are far less likely to be successful. COVID was an exception - rare we see that much of a PM. also lots more media scrutiny
Judgement: increasingly presidential presentation, but party still needs to be united behind them
‘The control a prime minister exerts is largely due to their leadership style’ - how far do you agree? You must reference a pre-1997 and post-1997 Prime Minister
Thatcher (1979-1990):
* Extremely dominant personality who refused compromises
Supporters called her principled and visionary, whilst opponents called her stubborn and uncompromising
- Iron Lady’ reputation
- 1980’s Cold War began to ebb and USSR weakened
Her and Ronald Reagan gave credit for ‘defeating’ communism
whereas David Cameron
* Problems exerting personal power
* Formed strong bond with Chancellor George Osborne and Home Secretary Theresa May
* Kept rivals close - didn’t remove them from government
Evaluate the extent to which Prime Ministers have successfully controlled events and policy during their premiership. You must reference a pre-1997 and post-1997 Prime Minister
