To What Extent is the PM the Dominant Force in UK Politics?

Question 1

James Callaghan 1976-79: Rise

Answer 1

1. Followed the resignation of Harold Wilson.
2. Popular in the party and had a strong personal approval rating.
3. He challenged post-war economic consensus and brought about a dramatic change in policy.
4. Commitment to deflation proved effective reducing inflation.

Question 2

James Callaghan: Fall

Answer 2

1. Did not call an election in autumn 1978 (widely expected to win)
2. The winter began to challenge his authority and become known as the Winter of Discontent, a series of damaging strikes.
3. Abandoned by the Liberal Party and the nationalist parties, his minority government eventually lost a vote of no confidence, forcing him to call a general election.

Question 3

John Major (1990-97):

Answer 3

1. Ditched the unpopular poll tax and was widely praised for negotiating an opt-out from the social chapter of the Maastricht Treaty.
2. Had a 21 seat majority in the 1992 election and gave Euroskeptic CMPs the opportunity to disrupt the ratification of the Treaty, exposing divisions.
3. June 1995 resigned the leadership of the party, telling the Euroskeptics to ‘put up or shut up’
4. Cabinet member John Redwood took up the challenge winning 89/218 in a leadership ballot.
5. Allegations of ministerial sleaze, constant media criticism and Tony Blair’s combative leadership.

Question 4

David Cameron: (2010-16)

Answer 4

1. Major cuts to public spending, part of the austerity programme.
2. Put the weight of his authority behind legalising same-sex marriage despite the large opposition from traditional Cs.
3. Had constraints.
4. Due to the Coalition Agreement, he had to allow a referendum on electoral reform.
5. He failed to persuade Parliament to support bombing President Assad after the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
6. His promise to call a referendum helped him win the 2015 GE and helped to keep the CP together.
7. The surprise vote for Brexit, he had campaigned hard to remain, so he resigned.

Question 5

Boris Johnson (2019-22): Rise

Answer 5

1. Highly personal 2019 election victory
2. Initially dominated politics.
3. No potential leadership rivals, Brexit secured, united party, lacklustre opposition and favourable media coverage.
4. Seemingly invincible.

Question 6

Boris Johnson (2019-22): Fall

Answer 6

1. Allegations that he had broken lockdown regulations.
2. Criticisms of his style of government in the Sue Gray report.
3. 41% of how Conservative MPs voting against him in a vote of no confidence.
4. It became known that he appointed Chris Pincher despite serious personal allegations, judgement criticised.
5. High profile resignations Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak within moments of each other.
6. Resigned 2 days later forced to resign.

Question 7

Arguments For:

Answer 7

1. Cabinet office report directly to the PM and chooses membership.
2. Determines the main policy objective- Boris Johnson ‘levelling up’
3. PM has patronage power as he selects the cabinet.
4. Chairs cabinet and key cabinet committees, steer gov policy.
5. Decides crucial intelligence and military issues.

Question 8

Arguments Against: (JM-TM)

Answer 8

1. Can only be dominant in certain circumstances.
2. John Major had a small seat majority (21 seat) in the 2nd administration 92-97 and the CP was divided over membership in the EU.
3. David Cameron (2010-15) had to agree to certain policies (AV referendum) as part of the coalition agreement.
4. Intense division over EU and lack of parliamentary majority (2017-19) and her lack of charisma made it difficult to control it.

Question 9

Arguments Against: BJ

Answer 9

1. (2019) lacked the necessary parliamentary support to achieve his EU withdrawal agreement.
2. His authority was so limited that on 3 September 2019, the HoC voted to take control over parliamentary business.
3. In 2022, BJ control crumbled as he lost the support of backbenchers and ministers over allegations that he had misled Parliament over breaking lockdown regulations.

Question 10

Arguments Against: Other

Answer 10

1. The Supreme Court can challenge the authority of the PM (Theresa May’s attempt to secure EU withdrawal without parliamentary approval in 2016 and BJ’s attempt to prorogue Parliament in 2019).
2. Liz Truss’ attempt to radically transform her government’s economic strategy was quickly condemned by the IMF. The pound plummeted in value, Tory backbenchers and the press turned against her and home secretary Suella Braverman, was forced out of office 45 days.