PM power examples of PMs

Prime Ministerial power is?

elastic

hat are some of the key factors which account to PM power 4

majority/minority gov

economy

Scandals

Public opinion

How many times was James Callaghan’s government defeated in the HOC over 3 years

34 times

When was James Callaghan PM

1976-1979

What was the economy like during Callaghan rule

in long-time decline due to winter of discontent

What did Labour lose after one of the MPs resigned

lost its tiny majority which meant they had to sign a pact with the liberal party to pass legislation

What did Callaghan face a defeat of which is very rare

a financial bill in 1978

When was Thatcher PM

1979 to 1990

What did Thatcher do which shows PM power

huge reshuffle in the commons replacing all ‘wet’ cabinet ministers with ‘dry’ right wing allies

What was Thatcher’s downfall?

her relationship with the conservative MPs

What led to Thatcher’s resignation?

her policy on Europe lead to cabinet revolt leading to her resignation

When was Tony Blair PM

1997-2007

What did Blairs landslide victor lead to

he has unparalleled executive dominance in the commons

How many years did Tony Blair remain undefeated

8

How many defeats did he suffer in the HOL in his first 8 years

over 300

How many laws past which was a record for PMs

Blair passed a law on average every 3 hours

What led to David Cameron’s resignation

The public voting to leave the EU when he campaigned to stay

He resigned the next day

What gave huge power to conservative backbenchers during May being PM

in the snap election Conservative lost majority so lead to her having a minority Government

How many times did May fail to pass her Brexit deal

3 times

Why did May resign

she was forced to resign due to conservative rebels

What did Boris Johnson try to do to pass his Brexit deal

prorogue parliament so his deal could not be debated in Parliament

What did the Supreme court rule on Boris proroguing parliament

he acted beyond his power and declared the prorogation null and void

Parliament reopened and held a vote on Johnsons deal that afternoon

What did BOJO do when his Brexit deal was defeated

expelled 21 backbench conservative rebellions

What lead to Bojo being able to pass his legislation within a month?

Winning an 80 seat majority

What weakened Bojo rule after Covid

a number of crisis

Who did BOJO fail to dismiss

a minister accused of sexual assault

How many tory ministers resigned after BOJO scandal

more than 50

What did Rishi do that shows PM power

passed the Safety of Rwanda Act 2024 after Supreme court ruled it unlawful

When did and what over did Rishi lose a vote in the commons

December 2023 on a vote of compensation for the infected blood scandal victims

What did Rishi suffer

worst ever general election defeat