POWER OF THE PRIME MINISTER

What are three factors which enhance the power of the prime minister in relation to cabinet?

-The size of the majority

-External Events

-United Party

Why is a majority so important to a prime minister’s success?

-The prime minister can stock the cabinet with people who share their vision without issues thus enhancing their supremacy over cabinet

-Cabinet feel less able to challenge the PM or his policies as due to the strong democratic mandate to lead they less are able to overthrow

What is the best example to demonstrate this?

AFTER THE 2003 VOTE TO GO TO WAR IN IRAQ THE CHILCOT REPORT WAS PUBLISHED IN 2016 WHICH ARGUED THERE WAS NO COLLECTIE DISCUSSION TO GO TO WAR IN CABINET. HE ALSO BLOCKED LORD GOLDSMITHS ADVICE TO CABINET ABOUT THE WAR

What is evidence to not support this?

Despite Boris Johnsons 80 seat majority in the commons following the 2019 election, Johnson was still politically weakened by rebellions linked to party gate as well as disagreement over the appointment of Chris Pincher(sexual misconduct with two men)

-Over 60 ministers resigned including Senior Cabinet ministers Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak

WHAT IS ANOTHER CASE?

IN 2026 DESPITE STARMER’S 174 SEAT MAJORITY , DUE TO FEAR OF BACKBENCH REBELLIONS KEIR STARMER HE’S HAD TO U TURN ON POLICIES SUCH AS MAINTAINING THE TWO CHILD BENEFIT CAP

Why do external events effect Prime Minister’s power over cabinet?

They act as a test of competence

What is the best example to show how external events can impact PM’s power?

-In 2022 Liz Truss and her Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced a “mini-budget” with large unfunded tax cuts . After the economy collapsed, Suella Braverman resigned and openly criticised her along with Gove which lead to her resignation

What is the Theory?

Give an example to show how external events may increase PM’s power?

DURING NATIONAL CRISES EVENTS THERE IS NEED FOR QUICK DECISIONS WHICH MAKES POWER MORE CENTRALISED TOWARDS THE PM

EG. DURING COVID JOHNSON CHAIRED EMERGENCY COBRA MEETINGS AND LED DAILY TELEVISION BRIEFINGS WITH DECISION MAKING CONCENTRATED IN DS

Why does a divided government make it harder to lead?

The prime minister finds they have to appease divided factions in a party and acknowledge the interests of these in their policies

What did Theresa May have to face that shows this?

IN ORDER TO APPEASE EUROSCEPTIC REBELS AMONGST THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY DAVID CAMERON HAD TO CALL A REFERENDUM ON EU MEMBERSHIP TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE PARTY

WHAT IS THE THEORY AND EVIDENCE TO COUNTER THIS?

EVEN WITH PARTY DIVISIONS IF THE PM HAS A LARGE MAJORITY THEN HIS MANDATE ALONE CAN KEEP HIM STRONG

EG. BORIS 80 SEAT MAJORITY GET BREXIT DONE/ TONY BLAIR 2003

What is the best example of collective ministerial responsibility being demonstrated?

-As leader of the house of commons Robin cook opposed the UK’s decision to join the Iraq War

-He said that the UK should work with its European partners and the UN but Blairs relationship with Bush pushed the UK eventually

-In his resignation speech he said ‘It is wrong to embark on military action without international support’

How many besides Robin Cook also resigned ?

Just 2 Junior Ministers

What is the best example against collective responsibility?

-In 2018 Boris Johnson openly criticised Theresa May’s Chequers plan while still in office

-He wrote in a newspaper that that the plan would leave the UK with “a suicide vest wrapped around the British Constitution”

-He did not resign

What is the example to demonstrate Individual Ministerial Responsibility?( DEPARTMENT FAILURE)

-In 2018 Amber Rudd told the Home Affairs Select Committee that there were no targets for the removal of illegal immigrants.

-Reports emerged that the children of the Windrush generation were threatened with deportation as well as other targets

-The Guardian received emails saying she knew about this

-Rudd therefore resigned saying she misled the commons

WHAT ABOUT AGAINST FOR DEPARTMENT FAILURE?

DESPITE THE FACT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO U TURN ON THE USE OF AN ALGORITHM TO QUALIFY GRADES DUE TO UPROAR GAVIN WILLIAMSON REMAINED AS EDUC SEC TILL 2021 AND WAS RESHUFFLED.

What is the best example against individual ministerial responsibility?

-Priti Patel, as home secretary, was found to have bullied civil servants including shouting and swearing

-The independent investigation led by Sir Alex Allan said she breached the ministerial code

-Despite this Boris Johnson overruled the conclusion and allowed Patel to remain in post,

WHAT ABOUR FOR ( INDIVIDUAL MISCONDUCT)

MATT HANCOCK

When does collective ministerial responsibility come under pressure?

-When controversial pieces of legislation is introduced

-During the coalition era

-When the PM side-lines cabinet in the decision making process

Why will controversial pieces of legislation lead to collective ministerial responsibility come under pressure?

The prime minister may aim to prevent division in the party by not forcing people to vote or lean a certain way

Give an example

-In 2016 with the prospect of a Brexit referendum , ministers were allowed to campaign based on the side they supported

-This was because David Cameron feared high level resignations from bands of Eurosceptics

-This led to differences in views with Michael Gove ( Educ Sec) supporting leave while Theresa May( Home sec) supporting to stay in the EU

Why do coalition governments lead to collective ministerial responsibility coming under pressure?

Coalition governments mean parties have different ideological positions so the leaders may choose to say when government ministers can be exempt from collective responsibility

Give an example

-Clegg and Cameron decided when collective ministerial responsibility would be more flexible

-Cameron allowed ministers to publicly disagree on government policies such as the renewal of Trident

-this was the UK government’s decision to replace its existing Trident nuclear weapons system so that Britain would continue to have an independent nuclear deterrent into the mid–21st century which the lib Dems opposed

Why when the PM side-lines cabinet can collective ministerial responsibility come under threat?

Without consulting the cabinet the PM leaves room for disagreement with the ministers as it’s hard to collectively agree on something you weren’t told

Give an example

-During 2018 Theresa May tried to side-line parliament in her withdrawal agreement plans

-She used a ‘run a tight ship strategy’ by trying to control information and decision-making centrally from No.10, reducing open Cabinet debate to prevent leaks

-This led to people like Boris to openly criticise the bill

What does it mean for the Prime Minister to become presidential?

-Personalised Leadership

-Spatial Leadership

-Public Outreach

What does personalised leadership mean?

The PM becomes more associated as an individual with decisions rather than cabinet as a whole as a result of their personal mandate from the people

What is spatial leadership?

The PM distances themselves from their party but also cabinet presenting themselves as independent , powerful leaders

What is public outreach?

When the media have become more focused on the PM with them getting all the spotlight

What is the best evidence to show that the Prime Minister has become more presidential due to personalised leadership?

-In 2003, Tony Blair became personally associated with the decision to go to war in Iraq

-He pushed for military intervention based on the argument that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction despite opposition or caution from some ministers and experts.

-The Cabinet largely followed Blair, but key figures like Robin Cook (leader of the house) and others expressed private concerns

Give an example

EVEN THOUGH THERESA MAY USED A TIGHT SHIP

Give an example for spatial leadership

BLAIR ADOPTED A SOFA STYLE GOVERNMENT WITH A SMALL NUMBER OF MINISTERS DECIDING DECISIONS INCLUDING KEY MINISTERS LIKE JONATHON POWELL AND ALISTAIR CAMBELL(PRESS SECRETARY).

What about against spatial leadership?

PRIOR TO AUTHORISING A MILITARY RESPONSE TO SYRIA’S USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS MAY FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO CONSULT PARLIAMENT

Give evidence to show that the media made the Prime Minister more Presidential ?

-Blair gave press conferences and speeches framing the war as a necessary action against weapons of mass destruction

-His communications team (Alastair Campbell, Director of Communications) coordinated messaging tightly, ensuring that Blair’s voice dominated the narrative and that dissent within Cabinet or Parliament was downplayed.

Give an example to show the media turned against the PM?

-During the Brexit Process(2018-19), May tried to control media messaging around her withdrawal agreement etc to be seen as strong

-But Headlines focused on Cabinet resignations (Boris Johnson) and repeated Parliamentary defeats

-Satirical and opinion coverage like ‘Maybot’ amplified the perception of a Prime Minister isolated from her own MPs,

What are the Main factors that influence a prime minister’s ability to dictate policy?

-Media

-Parliament/Cabinet

-Referendums

Give an example of how referendums influence policy making

-In 2016 David Cameron held a referendum on membership in the EU

-52% voted to leave while 48% voted to stay , this was despite the fact Cameron actually wanted to stay , which led to him consequently resigning

-May replaced with the leave mandate from the people

What are three ways the cabinet can limit the power of the PM?

-Minister Resignations

-Appointments influence

-Influence bills passed

What is the best example for influencing the bills that get passed

-Theresa May Chequers Deal