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example of collective ministerial responsibility
Energy Secretary, Ed Milliband has been openly vocal against the construction of the 3rd runway at Heathrow airport → when Starmer said that they were going to build it, Milliband needed to publicly agree with the decision and display collective ministerial responsibility and show a united cabinet, or he has to resign (Salisbury convention- Lord Salisbury
examples of PM patronage 1
Keir Starmer appointed Angela Rayner as deputy PM in response to her support over the years.
Examples of the constraints of party leadership (powers of the PM)
Seven Labour MPs had their whip suspended for six months after voting against the government on an amendment to scrap the two-child benefit cap. Zarah Sultana. 23rd July 2024.
This is a constraint as it shows that party support is not unconditional.
Examples of the constraints of PM public standing (powers of the PM)
Polls showed that Cameron was even more unpopular than his party (2013)
This undermined his authority
Examples of the powers of the PM with public standing
Keir Starmer attended the G20 in November 2024, representing the UK.
+ congratulated Donald Trump when he was elected President.
Examples of the powers of the PM with policy making 1
Blair’s majority of 179 in 1997 allowed him to pass legislation through the HoC with ease → with the help of party discipline/ whips. He set the agenda and passed an extensive programme of constitutional reform, including devolution and the Human Rights Act.
There was also a sharp sustained increase in expenditure on health and education as well as increased welfare benefits and a new minimum wage.
Examples of the powers of the PM with policy making 2
In 1988 Thatcher and her advisors came up with the idea of poll tax. The idea was extremely unpopular and despite opposition from within the party Thatcher pushed her agenda through.
examples of PM patronage 2
Boris Johnson was made foreign secretary in Theresa May’s cabinet to subdue him → he was a big beast and was seen as a more favourable leader to the public than May was.
Examples of individual responsibility 1
Matt Hancock (former Health Secretary in 2022) resigned after having an affair with a colleague during the covid-19 lockdown. - He personally screwed up
Examples of individual responsibility 2
Amber Rudd (former home secretary) resigned in 2018 after the Home Office was caught illegally deporting members of the Windrush generation. - Her department screwed up but she had to take responsibility as the head of the home office
Examples of collective ministerial responsibility 2
Boris Johnson (at the time of 2018, Foreign Secretary) felt that he could no longer publicly support Theresa Mays government policies. He resigned July 2018, due to disagreements over May’s negotiations for Brexit.
Examples of when there is no need for collective ministerial responsibility
Temporary suspension during referendums → Brexit Referendum 2016 - David Camerons cabinet did not have to agree on Brexit
Coalition governments → 2010 LibDem Conservative coalition naturally did not agree on multiple issues, such as nuclear power stations, tax allowances for married couples, higher education funding and to make the case against renewal of Trident nuclear deterrent.
Free votes → Assisted dying bill was a free vote and was not controlled by party whips - cabinet ministers can vote whatever they want.
Example of the role of the PM moving to presidentialism 1
The 2019 general election had the conservative slogan ‘back boris’ . the campaign was centred around one person and not the party which is a move towards presidentialism (emerging as a figure head) as this can develop into a personal mandate for Boris.
Example of the role of the PM moving to presidentialism 2
Personalised election campaigns → 1997 general election labour campaign was focused around Tony Blair - he became brand image of New Labour. his personality and charisma determined the partys success.
Example of the role of the PM moving to presidentialism 3
Keir Starmer has positional power more concentrated in the dominating members of his cabinet compared to Theresa May who had power more evenly spread but more concentrated on her role as PM.
→ Starmer had done this so he can control cabinet more (by giving power to his most trusted) - Prime ministerial government however NOT presidential yet as he would be relying on SPADs and not cabinet, Starmer still relies on parts of his cabinet.
Example of the role of the PM moving to presidentialism 4
Boris Johnson relied on SPADs - notably Dominic Cummings
