The different relationships between the PM and cabinet

What does ”primos inter pores” mean?

First among equals

What is the theory of the cabinet government?

• This is the traditional model of govt and is ideal as the govt is collective

• PMs can vary the size of their cabinet but generally there are 20-30 senior officials

• PMs usually appoint a balanced cabinet in terms of gender, ethnicity, regional representation, party factions

• PMs usually appoint key allies, using their power of patronage in order to have a strong cabinet (e.g. Blair and Peter Mandelson)

• The PM acts as a chairman and the cabinet is central to the political system

• Effective PMs accept the role of the cabinet in order to secure what they want - many believe that this model makes the executive more productive

• Blair appointed John Prescott (old Labour) in order to broaden cabinet decisions and maintain party unity. David Cameron appointed Nick Clegg as deputy PM in order to keep his majority - the PMs delegating autonomy to the cabinet challenges the authority of the PM

What is the theory of the Prime ministerial government?

• This is a popular theory which emerged in the 1960s

• This includes a dominant PM at the expense of the cabinet - the PM is the key figure

• Evidence of this type of govt: Sidelining of cabinet as a central decision-making body (Blair overriding cabinet over the Iraq war); PM taking direct control of policy areas/whole policy; the use of bilateral meeting

What is the theory of the presidential government? (presidentialism)

• This theory developed in the 1990s with the emergence of personalised Presidential campaigns (2024 Sunak v Starmer debates)

• This model suggests that the PM is more presidential as the PM treats the cabinet as less important - PMs with large majorities tend to fall into this category such as Thatcher and Blair

• Evidence of this type of government: Detachment of civil servants, bilateral personality politics (media focus), distancing the PM to their party, personality politics (media focus), greater use of spads

• However, PMs are limited by the constitution and their cabinet

What is the theory of a core executive government?

Within the executive, decisions are made by many different institutions - dependent on the PM