Prime Minister Examples Flashcards
Example of PM as head of govt. (patronage)
Department for exiting the EU, run by David Davis
Example of PM as chief govt. spokesperson
January 2017 - Theresa May laid out the UK’s strategy for exiting the EU
Example of PM chief policy maker
Theresa May’s plans to open new grammar schools
Example of PM as parliamentary leader
Every Wednesday, PMQs
Jan 2017, May promised a white paper on EU exit plan during PMQs
Example of PM as commander-in-chief of the armed forces
December 2015, David Cameron has final say on air strikes on Syria
Example of PM as chief foreign policy maker
June 2016 - Cameron tried to reform UK relationships with EU
Jan 2017 - Theresa May met Donald Trump
Example of PM with small majority
John Major from 92-97, started with a majority of 21 ended up with a minority govt.
Example of PM without unity of ruling party
John Major’s party was divided over Europe
Example of PM with unity of ruling party
By 1983, Thatcher had removed those who didn’t share her view from the cabinet
Example of PM with huge majority
Tony Blair had a majority of 179
Example of opposition from within own party
Thatcher forced to resign in 1990 due to poll tax. Hesseltine won 40% of leadership vote so she resigned
Example of PM lacking power due to a coalition
Cameron 2010-15
Example of PM being head of state
Blair taking UK to war in Iraq in 2003
Example of a PM with an extensive network of political advisors
May, 2017 - Chief of staff held by Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy
Example that the media focuses more on the PM
Theresa May pressured to appear in election debates
Example of the growth in importance of foreign affairs
Blair was considered particularly presidential - highly involved in foreign policies
Example that leadership style has changed - but constraints remain
Thatcher was reigned in by her own party leadership when she attempted to introduce poll tax
Example of ‘elastic’ theory
Thatcher tried to stretch powers of office further and further until she had enough enemies that there were enough to remove her
Example of a PM lacking popularity
Brown did not win an election, nor did Theresa May
Example of a PM struggling to be presidential due to being part of govt.
Cameron lacked full power for 5 of 6 years due to coalition
Example of PM formal power: Patronage govt.
Theresa May appointed Michael Fallon as secretary of state for defence when she became PM in July 2016
Example of PM formal power: Patronage honours
In 2015. Cameron made William Hague, former foreign secretary, Lord Hague of Richmond
Example of PM formal power: Head of civil service
Theresa May created the new department for exiting the EU, led by David Davis
Example of PM formal power: Appointing a senior judge
Lord Hodge
Example of PM formal power:: Conducting foreign relations
Through January 2016, Cameron held talks with European leaders on reforming the UK’s relationship with the EU
Example of PM formal power: Maintaining national security
Cameron announced in 2015 that the UK would hire 1900 more spies to tackle ISIS
Example of PM formal power: : Leading cabinet
Theresa May chairs cabinet meetings every Thursday
Example of unity leading to PM having ability to make govt. policy
Thatcher - Especially after cabinet reshuffle in 1983
Example of lack of unity leading to PM not being able to make govt. policy
Cameron’s coalition - Lib dem ministers
Example of PM controlling cabinet
Blair - choice of ‘new labour’ ministers
Example of popular PM
Blair - Charismatic
- Was respected before Iraq War 2003
Example of unpopular PM
Brown - May - Both unelected
What was David Cameron’s majority in 2015
12
