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Power of patronage - explained + counter
The PM can appoint and dismiss cabinet ministers and appoint life peers in the lords.
However, many traditional powers of patronage like making judicial appointments have been curtailed.
Troop deployment - explanation + counter
The PM has retained the prerogative power to deploy troops
However, in 2011, govt announced that it would observe the convention that the Commons should have an opportunity to debate military action except in an emergency.
Authority in cabinet system - explanation + counter
The PM manages and determines the agenda of cabinet meetings, creates and appoints members of cabinet committees and hosts bilateral meetings with ministers.
However, this is limited by the need to maintain a balance between different factions of a party and the available pool of talent.
Also, the PM is not involved in all the minutiae of policy making, thus dependent on cabinet committees and the civil service.
Also, policy making power is limited in a coalition govt.
PM’s particular interest in specific policies - explanation + counter, with examples
Examples: Blair’s personal commitment to support US in Iraq or Thatcher’s Poll tax.
These are policies which you associate with the PM as an individual, rather than the party as a collective.
However, this only enhances the PM’s power if the policy is successful. In both examples, the outcome was their respective demise.
Other examples include: Johnson’s controversial handling of COVID, Starmer’s generally effective handling of the Southport riots and Truss’ disastrous mini-budget.
Can shape legislative programmes, and important during crises - explanation
PM can shape the legislative programme of a party and during a crisis is important both symbolically and in terms of decision making. Opposition often support the PM in this time, like unity in Commons seen over Russia’s aggression in Urraine.
Counter to PM’s role in legislative programme
In respect of party leadershipp, the power of the PM is largely dependent on the size of the parliamentary majority and different circumstances.
E.g. Blair had a huge majority (179-seat, 418MPs) so a lot of power.
May was in a minority gov due to failed snap election, forcing a confidence deal with the DUP. She also faced parliamentary paralysis due to Brexit.
PM’s informal power: explanation + counter
Blair had great charisma early on in his premiership, so was popular with the electorate. However, May had little charisma so couldn’t win the support of her party let alone voters.
However. globalisation has limited the scope for the PM to direct and determine events, irrespective of both formal and informal powers. E.g. Cost of living crisis mainly caused by global crises outside the Pm’s control.
