Evaluate the voew that the power of the prime minister has decreased since 2010

Introduction

Paragraph Focus

• Para 1 = Cabinet Control

• Para 2 = Prerogative Powers

• Para 3 = Parliament

Para 1 - Weaker Argument = Hasn’t Decreased

• On the other hand, it can be argued that the power of the Prime Minister hasn't decreased since 2010

• while Rishi Sunak was Prime Ministers, e seemed to have more effective control of his cabinet, with less leaking and collective ministerial responsibility, compared to Liz Truss

• this shows that effective leadership and control over a cabinet has ensured the Prime Minister still has significant power after 2010

Para 1 - Stronger Argument = Has Decreased

• the power of the Prime Minister has decreased since 2010 is that they have been unable to control their cabinets,

• with frequent leaking and breaking of collective ministerial responsibility, Prime Ministers have been brought down by cabinet resignations

• This is in large part due to the fact that multiple Prime Ministers since 2010 have become unpopular with the public.

• This can be seen under Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, who were ultimately forced to resign after key members of their cabinets challenged their leadership and resigned from the government.

• This compares in particular with Blair before 2010, who was a very strong Prime Minister who had strong control over his party and cabinet..

Para 2 - Weaker Argument = Hasn’t Decreased

• On the other hand, it can be argued that the power lost through these developments has in fact been limited.

• the PM's prerogative power over the use of the armed forces is largely intact, as seen by Sunak and Johnson pledging significant military support to Ukraine.

• this shows

Para 2 - Stronger Argument = Has Decreased

• the power of the Prime Minister has decreased since 2010 is in relation to the PM's prerogative powers

• a key prerogative power that has been limited since 2010 is the Prime Minister's power to call a snap General Election when they wish

• This was removed by the 2011 Fixed Term Parliaments Act, which required a vote of no confidence in the government or support from 2/3rds of MPs in order to trigger an election

Para 3 - Weaker Argument = Hasn’t Decreased

• it can be argued that the power of the Prime Minister over Parliament hasn't decreased as the government is still able to pass most of the legislation it wants

• The government has control over most of the Parliamentary timetable and has in recent years increasingly rushed legislation

• for example, the recent labour government has been able to pass the Arbitration Act 2025

Para 3 - Stronger Argument = Has Decreased

• the Prime Minister can be argued to have decreased since 2010 is in relation to their control over Parliament.

• Prior to the Wright Reforms, the chairs of Select Committees used to be selected by party whips, which limited the effectiveness of their government scrutiny.

• The Wright Reforms, introduced in 2010 to increase the power of Backbenchers

• this can be seen as limiting the power of the Prime Minister over Parliament and increasing the effectiveness of House of Commons scrutiny of the government and PM

• Conservative backbencher Liam Byrne who chairs the Business and Trade select committee