Prime Minister & Executive

Prime Minister: Appoints ministers

The PM selects individuals to serve in the government's ministerial positions.

Prime Minister: Dismisses ministers

The PM has the authority to remove ministers from their government roles.

Prime Minister: Cabinet chair

The PM presides over and manages meetings of the Cabinet.

Prime Minister: Party leader

The PM serves as the head of the largest political party in government.

Prime Minister: Controls agenda

The PM determines which issues are discussed and decided upon by the Cabinet.

Prime Minister: Foreign affairs influence

The PM represents the nation internationally and directs foreign policy.

Prime Minister: National leadership

The PM acts as the primary spokesperson and symbolic head of the country.

Prime Minister: Patronage powers

The PM's power to make appointments to various public offices and honors.

Cabinet: Senior ministers

The group of the most senior government members who head major departments.

Cabinet: Collective decision making

The principle that major policy decisions are reached by the Cabinet as a whole.

Cabinet: Policy coordination

The role of the Cabinet in ensuring different departments work together effectively.

Cabinet: Government leadership

The Cabinet provides the overall strategic direction for the executive branch.

Collective Responsibility: Cabinet unity

All ministers must publicly support government policy regardless of private views.

Collective Responsibility: Public support for decisions

Requirement for the executive to present a united front to Parliament and the public.

Collective Responsibility: Resignation if disagreement

Ministers must resign if they cannot publicly support a Cabinet decision.

Individual Responsibility: Ministers accountable

Ministers are personally answerable for their own conduct and decisions.

Individual Responsibility: Department responsibility

Ministers are responsible for the actions and failings of their specific government department.

Individual Responsibility: Parliamentary accountability

Ministers must explain and justify their department's work to Parliament.

Sources of PM Power: Party majority

A large number of loyal MPs in the legislature strengthens the PM's position.

Sources of PM Power: Popularity

High approval ratings among the electorate increase a PM's political capital.

Sources of PM Power: Media profile

The PM's ability to command news coverage and shape public narrative.

Sources of PM Power: Leadership reputation

The perceived competence and strength of the PM within their party and country.

Sources of PM Power: Control of patronage

The ability to reward loyalty with jobs or honors creates a loyal following.

Limitations: Cabinet

Senior ministers can challenge the PM or withdraw their support.

Limitations: Parliament

The legislature can block government bills or pass a vote of no confidence.

Limitations: Judiciary

Courts can rule that government actions are unlawful or unconstitutional.

Limitations: Public opinion

Negative polling can force the PM to abandon unpopular policies.

Limitations: Party rebellions

Backbench MPs may vote against the government, undermining the PM's authority.

Limitations: Elections

The democratic requirement to seek a new mandate limits the PM's security.

Presidentialism Thesis: Personal leadership

Focus on the PM as an individual leader rather than a collective group.

Presidentialism Thesis: Media focus

The tendency of the media to treat the PM as the sole face of government.

Presidentialism Thesis: Election campaigns

Elections increasingly center on the personality and image of the party leaders.

Presidentialism Thesis: Centralisation

The concentration of power in the PM's office and Downing Street staff.

Cabinet Government Thesis: Collective decision making

The view that the Cabinet remains the ultimate center of executive power.

Cabinet Government Thesis: Ministerial influence

The idea that department heads retain significant autonomy and power.

Cabinet Government Thesis: Internal constraints

The argument that the PM is limited by the need to maintain Cabinet consensus.