Roles and the powers of the UK prime minister and of the US president, and the extent of their accountability to the legislatures

Question 1

Roles and powers of the pm and the president

Chief executive

Answer 1

• Both the pm and the president are each chief executive of their govt, so are responisble for running their countries
• The president is a singular executive
• The pm is primus inter pares, collective executive

Question 2

Roles and powers of the pm and the president

Legislation

Answer 2

Both leaders initiate legislation within their respective legislatures, but the US seperation of powers means that the president’s powers are more limited
* Congress is seperate from the executive, develops its own programme of legislation

In the UK the executive is part of the legislature, govts programme of legislation recieves vast majority of parliamentary time
* UK’s parliamentary democracy allows the pm more opportunities to influence voting on legislation, provided they have a majority

A pm with a sizeable majority enjoys a position so strong its been called an elective dictatorship, few checks and balances on UK govts ability to pass legislation
* Parliament is sovereign, UK SC cant strike down its laws, US SC can rule laws unconstitutional

US seperation of pwers limites presidents control of party discipline, house and senate whips work for party leadership of those chambers, a pm with a large majority finds it much easier to deliver their legislative agenda

Question 3

Roles and powers of the pm and the president

Financial powers

Answer 3

• Congress must approve the presidents bufget each year. Agreement is often difficulat to achieve and requires compromises
• In the UK govt shutdown do not happen as it is much easier for the pm to pass their budget. UK govts usually hold a majority in the House of Commons, so have enough votes required

Question 4

Roles and powers of the pm and the president

Military powers

Answer 4

• The president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, whereas in the UK this is the monarch. However, the pm acts as the overall military decision maker, just as the president does
• Unlike the pm, the president cannot declare war, as this is done by Congress. However, niether country has made a formal decleration of war since ww2
• No legal need to the pm to consult parliament before committing troops

Question 5

Roles and powers of the pm and the president

Appointments

Answer 5

• The presidents appointments to executive branch require Senate confirmation, whereas the UK pm can appoint whoever
• However, the president has the right to nominate federal judges

Question 6

Roles and powers of the pm and the president

Patronage

Answer 6

• The pm and the president can both reward supporters with cabinet or government positions
• This power of patronage is more useful to the pm as it increases their influence over parilament, which they can depend on the loyalty of the payroll vote
• The pm can also recommend supporters for life peerage or honours. Life peerages allow prime ministers to directly influence the composition of the HoL

Question 7

Accountability to the legislature

Scrutiny of the executive

Answer 7

• Both legislatures use the committee sysytem to scrutinise government. However, the pm is personally held to account by the HoC at PMQs
• Seperation of powers in the US means the president doesnt address congress other than the presidents annual State of Union speech

Question 8

Accountability to the legislature

Removal from office

Answer 8

• The Hoc can call for a vote of no confidence in the govt at any time. This can be for any reason, including simply that the pm and the govt are not performing well. A simple majority is enough to remoce the pm and the govt from office
• It is much more difficult for Congress to remove the president as it must navigate through the complex process of impeachment

Question 9

Accountability to the legislature

Passing legislation

Answer 9

• Both leaders introduce their annual legislative agenda. president makes state of union address to Congress, monarch delivers the Queen’s speech on behalf of the govt
• Presidents find it more difficult to pass legislation through Congress, especially during divided govt. Members of Congress more critical than mps, leads to gridlock. The presidents relationship with congress can be challenging even during united govt e.g. in 2017 Trump failed to repeal Obamacare in his first 100 days. But the president has the power to veto legislation passed by Congress, more difficult to overturn it. Pm has no veto power is less likely to be faced with legislation they dont support. The pm only has to convince one chamber to support their legislation, the HoC.
• PM’s can generally use the whip system to ensure party discipline on govt legislation. Presidents have to make deals and work harder to convice members of Congress to support them. During periods of minority of governemnt, however the pm may also struggle to get legislation through parliament. Theresa may failed to passer her EU widthdrawal bill through parliament, led to her resignation