Arguments for and against Presidential vs Cabinet Gov

What do some PMs do ( for PM gov)

act more presidentially

What can cause a PM to act more presidentially

large commons majority

What was Margaret Thatcher’s legislation that shows PRESIDENTIAL

The poll tax (1990)

Why does the pole tax show presidential

MT did it without cabinet approval in her final year of premiership

Who was the Pole Tax particularly unpopular with

The one nation faction

What decision showed presidential power from Tony Blair

The Iraq war (2003)

Why did the Iraq War show presidentialism

Because Tony Blair decided on it with Alister Campbell and senior advisors and cabinet ministers complained that they were not consulted before it went public

Who was Tony Blairs director of communications

Alister Campbell

What ruling showed Boris Johnson to be presidential

LOCKDOWN 2020

Why did Lockdown 2020 show BOJO as presidential

because he discussed it with the medical officer and scientific advisor and not cabinet ministers they were only told a few hours before the public were

What was another ruling made by Bojo showing presidentialism

Cancellation of GCSE and A level exams 2021

Why dis the cancellation of exams show presidentialism

because the Education secretary was not even there when Boris Johnson and his advisors decided to cancel exams for the second year running

Argument against presidentialism

Some PM are more influenced by?

Their cabinet ministers

When do PM usually use their cabinet ministers more?

when they don’t have a large commons majority or there is a significant opposition

What was the Quad 2010-2015

during the coalition government had to be agreed by four members of a committee ( the quad)

Who did the Quad compromise

David Cameron ( Prime Minister) and George Osborne (chancellor)

Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander

What was the Gaukward sqaud 2019

Theresa was forced to extend her Brexit Deal deadline after three cabinet ministers ( squad) threatened to resign

Who was part of the Gaukward Squad

Amber Rudd

David Gauke

Claire Perry

What was Jeremy Hunt takeover 2022

Lizz Truss replaced Kwasi Kwarteng with Jeremy Hunt 2022

What was Jeremy Hunts conditions for taking the job

he has control over his own policy decisions which means she had to accept the swift reversal of Kwarteng’s tax cuts which was a big part of her leadership campaign

Why did the ECHR limit Rishi power

he wanted to leave the ECHR but he didn’t go ahead after discussions with cabinet ministers that did not agree

Why does he PM need to do even with a large majority ( against presidentialism)

Take cabinet seriously

Unlike US what does cabinet usually include?

PM biggest rivals

Who did Tony Blair appoint as his Chancellor of the Exchequer

Gordon Brown

What was the agreement between Brown and Blair in 1994

Brown would not run for leadership if Blair gave him control over economic policy

What was Brown accused of during Blairs time

actively briefing against Blair in the press

What did Brown believe Blair had done to him

failed to step down after 2 terms as PM

What did the bad blood leave Brown doing

shutting out Blair from discussions on economic policy and welfare

What happened in the end of Brown and Blair bad blood

Blair stood down in 2007 to ward off the threat of Browns leadership challenge

What was Boris Johnson downfall triggered by ( pro cabinet)

resignation of 2 senior ministers

Why did Rishi and Sajjid Javid resign

Because Boris Johnson appointed Chris Pincher to a government decision who had been accused of sexual assault

When were there resignations made public

before 6 o clock television news maximising public attention

What happened after Rishi and Javvid resigned

60 more ministers resigned and eventually Boris Johnson had to resign

What triggered Margaret Thatcher resignation ( pro for cabinet)

the resignation of her deputy PM

Who was Thatcher’s deputy PM

Geoffrey Howe

What did Geffery Howe do after his resignation

just before PMQs he judged her leadership style and mocked her policy on Europe