The Power Of The PM To Dictate Events + Determine Policy-makings Flashcards
What was the poll tax 1990
-system taxation to replace domestic rates in Scotland 1980 + England + Wales 1990
-every tax payer pay fixed rate set by local authority calculated by number living in household
Why was the poll tax controversial
-change firm payment on worth of one’s house to fixed rate was unfair + burdened less well-off
-made rich richer + poor poorer
-difficult collect as many moved
-unpopular when introduced Scotland 1989 but didn’t deflect ‘iron lady’
How did the poll tax 1990 show thatchers ability to dictate policy
-powerful PMs have power push through policies
-highlights real dangers that ensue from rejecting advice of political allies + supporters
How does the poll tax show thatchers inability to dictate policy
-handling of policy highlighted growing concerns within own party of her inability listen to others
-thatcher want changing her mind on policy + remained firm
-major poll tax riots London march 1990 over 100 injured + 400 arrests +. Amid civi, disobedience campaign of non-payment
-daily parodied by media - seized on ‘duke + distmen’ analogy where duke would pay same in his mansion as man who emptied his bins
What was the decision to invade Iraq 2003
-US pres W.Bush wanted Blair commit troops to used invasion of Iraq - Blair obliged
-justified actions on moral grounds of removal of weapons of mass destruction
Why was the decision to invade Iraq 2003 controversial
-Iraq descended just to bloody civil war as no one to replace Hussein
-over 180 Br lives lost + thousands Iraqis
-allegations human rights abuses by Br soldiers on Iraqi civilians + prisoners
-large scale anti-war protests across UK
-opinion polls share slump in public trust of Blair
How did it show Blair’s ability to dictate policy
-no pressure within cabinet or wide party or public for UK troops to be mobilised
-nonsense national security imminently threatened by Iraq
-decisions largely Blair wanting establish strong relationship with W.Bush
-Blair’s preference ‘sofa government’ meant little informed collective discussion + decision making
How did it shows Blair’s inability to dictate policy
-scant discussion of other policy decisions + so nothing else Blair could do
-resignation high profile cabinet minister Cook + Shirt weakened Blair’s positions
-suicide govt scientists Dr Kelly increase govt scrutiny + criticism govt Iraq policy
-legacy unsuccessful venture seen in reluctance subsequent govt deeply forces in further Middle East conflicts like Syria
Why was the decisions to call an early election by may in 2017 controversial
-a traditional power to call snap elections
-but under fixed-term parliament act 2011 another general election not due until 2020
-after Cameron’s resignation 2016 May leader + promised not call snap election on Andrew Marr show but did in 2017
How did it show May’s ability to dictate policy
-as unelected leader May wanted own personal endorsement from voters + was influenced by Brown
-May convinced needed own mandate push through Br Brexit from EU + aware many Tory remainers would resist + so he wanted increase majority to neutralise their threat
-opinion polls prior to election looked favourable + indicated 20% lead for cons + corbyn regarded as easy to defeat
How did it show the inability of Blair to dictate policy
-although gaining seats in Scotland they lost seats to Labour in England - 8 seats short of majority
-cons manifesto flopped + centre piece policy of finding new way funding care for elderly people dubbed ‘dementia tax’
-revealed may to be weak public campaigner + repetition of phrase ‘strong + stable’ undermined by herself
-may relied too much in small group inner advisers — too presidential
