The Prime Minister And The Cabinet: How The Role Of Prime Minister Has Changed In Recent Times Flashcards
What is a frequent criticism of the prime minster?
That it has become more presidential in leadership style
What was the Blair government often accused of preferring?
‘sofa government’, or informal chats involving 2 or.3 cabinet minsters including the prime minster
What is ‘partial leadership’?
When a sense of distance is created between the prime minister and the rest of their government and party, which happened in the 2010-2015 coalition government with ‘The Quad’ having most of the power
What is the inner cabinet?
A small core of ministers a prime minister particularly relies upon for advice or support
What is a SpAd?
A special adviser is a temporary civil servant who advises and assists UK government ministers
When was the first SpAd appointed?
By Harold Wilson in the 1960s
Who are some famous or colourful SpAds?
Alastair Campbell under Blair, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill were the principal special advisers under May and Dominic Cummings under Johnson
By December 2019 how many SpAds were appointed under Johnson and May?
108 under Johnson, 99 under May
In Clare Short’s resignation speech in 2003 what had she blamed the problems in Labour’s second term of office party own to?
‘Centralisation of power into the hands of the prime minister and an increasingly small number of adviser who Mae devision in private without proper discussion’
How can prime minsters like May often find themselves in a very difficult position and cannot act like a president?
Due to their weak or non-existent parliamentary majorities meaning they have to take less controversial stances and agree with all, or like with May in July 2018 22 cabinet ministers resigned due to the so-called ‘Chequers deal’ over Brexit
why were Thatcher and Blair effectively forced out of office?
Due to criticism and divides within their own party, for the poll tax and Iraq War individually, especially due to criticism from high ranking rival in the party, with Howe and Brown individually
Why do many prime minster appoint SpAds?
Because of a feeling that the civil service is too set in its ways, and often has its own agenda
