Role, Powers and Constraints of the Prime Minister

Question 1

Define the role of the PM

Answer 1

The PM is the head of government and is ultimately responsible for the policy and decisions of government. The PM is also the de facto head of state and represent Britain on the world stage through attending or chairing summits of the EU, G8 etc.

Question 2

What are the 6 functions of the PM?

Answer 2

Chief policy maker
Head of government
Chief government spokesperson
Commander-in-chief of the armed forces
Chief foreign policy maker
Parliamentary leader

Question 3

What does the PM do as the head of government?

Answer 3

They can create new posts and departments as well as abolish them, head of civil service, chairs Cabinet meetings and determine their agenda and appoints ministers, bishops, Archbishops etc

Question 4

What does the PM do as chief government spokesperson?

Answer 4

Ultimate source of the official version of government policy to the media

Question 5

What does the PM do as commander-in-chief of the armed forces?

Answer 5

Decides whether or not to deploy British troops

Question 6

What does the PM do as chief foreign-policy maker?

Answer 6

Negotiates with foreign powers, negotiates and signs treaties, chairs international meetings and conducts British relations with EU. Tony Blair chaired the British presidency of the EU in 2005 and took a leading role on issues such as global warming and poverty relief in less developed countries.

Question 7

What does the PM do as Parliamentary leader?

Answer 7

PM must lead his party in Parliament and is in control of the government’s strategy within both Houses.

Question 8

What are the powers of the Prime Minister?

Answer 8

Form a government - create a Cabinet
Co-ordinates policies and activities of Cabinet and government departments
De-facto power over deployment of British forces
Can authorise (but not directly order) the use of nuclear weapons
Powers of appointment/patronage - e.g. ministers, senior judges and senior bishops
Advises on appointments of peerages, knighthoods, Archbishops and Bishops
Dissolve Parliament (in prep of an election)
Royal Prerogative
Head of Civil Service
Conducting foreign relations
Chairing cabinet meetings

Question 9

Give an example of the PM forming a government

Answer 9

2010 General Elections

Question 10

Give an example of PM deploying the British armed forces

Answer 10

Tony Blair committing British forces to Kosovo in 1998, Afghanistan in 2001 to oust the Taliban regime, Sierra Leone in 2002 to protect democratic government from a rebellion and in Iraq in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein. David Cameron ordered the RAF to enforce a ‘no-fly zone’ over Libya in 2011

Question 11

Give an example of who the PM appoints

Answer 11

Ministers, Bishops, Archbishops

Question 12

Why is patronage so important?

Answer 12

Tony Benn described the power of hire and fire as an enormous one since it can be used as a tool to exert control over the parliamentary party.

Question 13

How is the PM constrained by public/media opposition?

Answer 13

When a PM loses the confidence of the public and media they become an electoral liability and the party will become unwilling to accept their leadership, this happened to Thatcher in 1990 when she was removed. It also weakened Blair, especially after 2003.

Question 14

How is the PM constrained by Cabinet/Parliamentary opposition?

Answer 14

If Cabinet overrules the PM, there’s nothing they can do as Cabinet is the ultimate source of government policy and therefore the ultimate limitation on PM power. Similarly, the policies of the PM are meaningless if he can’t secure parliamentary approval for his proposals. Under coalition this becomes problematic as PM doesn’t enjoy a parliamentary majority and Cabinet is naturally divided e.g. Thatcher

Question 15

How is the PM constrained by party opposition?

Answer 15

Today, parties are undoubtedly less important than they used to be as little policy is made within parties and the members have little influence over leadership. But the PM draws much of his authority from the governing party e.g. removal of Blair for Brown

Question 16

How is the PM constrained by the unity of the ruling party?

Answer 16

An ideologically united party is more effective and efficient than one constantly delayed by party divisions, e.g. Thatcher 1979/83 many were supportive of her proposals for new free market economy and reduced state intervention in industry, but ‘the wets’ who were traditionally Conservatives opposed her radical ideas and too much of her attention was taken by the need to keep the party together.

Question 17

How is the PM constrained by the size of the size of the parliamentary majority?

Answer 17

When the majority is low or non-existent the PM can’t rely on parliamentary approval, they must take into account forces within both Parliament in general and their own party in particular before taking any initiatives. e.g. John Major 1992-1997 started with a majority of 12 but this was soon significantly reduced though by-election defeats and defections of his MPs. He eventually found himself governing with his hands tied behind his back. David Cameron didn’t have a Commons majority in the coalition, but his coalition had a comfortable lead over other parties, so in many ways Cameron remained secure in this respect.

Question 18

How is the PM constrained by a coalition?

Answer 18

No longer in total control over policy, having to clear all options with his coalition partners and isn’t totally free to appoint all government ministers. He can’t rely so much on parliamentary majority.

Question 19

How else is the PM constrained?

Answer 19

May just be a figurehead in Cabinet
Checks on power by Commons
MP opposition
Legislation e.g. drive popular opinion

Question 20

What are the sources of Prime Ministerial power?

Answer 20

The governing party
The Royal Prerogative
Popular mandate
Parliament

Question 21

How does the PM derive power from the governing party?

Answer 21

Full support of his party in Parliament and the ordinary members of the public. Since the party has won the right to govern through his election, the PM carries all the party’s elective authority with him. Although, under a coalition, this source becomes a little diffused, e.g. David Cameron’s legitimacy came from his leadership of the largest parliamentary party together with his agreement with Nick Clegg and the later endorsement of that agreement by both coalition parties.

Question 22

How does the PM derive power from the Royal Prerogative?

Answer 22

In a democracy, an unelected monarch can’t exercise any of their powers so the traditional authority of the monarch is given to the PM.

Question 23

How does the PM derive power from popular mandate?

Answer 23

Public are conscious they’re electing a PM, so the PM can claim authority given from the electorate. Although such authority is weakened in a coalition and doesn’t apply to PM’s who take office between elections - Gordon Brown in 2007.

Question 24

How does the PM derive power from Parliament?

Answer 24

As long as PM has majority of support he can claim Parliamentary authority