Evaluate The View That The Power Of The Prime Minister Has Decreased Since 2010. (30)

AGREE 1

Unable to control their cabinets

Theresea May: Boris Johnson expressed dissatisfaction with May publicly. Johnson popularity in the CON party + her weakness meant she couldn’t sack him.

Boris Johnson: over 50 resignations in one week, including Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid.

DISAGREE 1

Prime Ministers can appoint cabinet ministers who share the same ideas.

Johnson appointed strong Brexit advocates such as Priti Patel.

AGREE 2

Conventions have weakened prerogative powers

Now a convention that the HoC consent is required before enacting major military action.

2013 DC lost a vote on airstrikes (response to a chemical weapons attack) in Syria

DISAGREE 2

Can still exercise their prerogative powers effectively.

2024 Sunak’s gov carried out joint air strikes with the US against Houthi targets in response to the Yemeni group attacking cargo ships without parliamentary consent.

AGREE 3.1

Power of the backbenchers increased by the wright reforms

Committee chairs are selected by the HoC

Caroline Nokes, the former chair of the woman and equalities committee, has consistency criticised the government over its plans to house asylum seekers in barracks.

AGREE 3.2

Wright reforms introduced the back bench business committee

BBBC chooses the topic of debate for 35 days in each parliamentary session

AGREE 3.3

Governments frequently defeated in the HoC esp when minority govt

T may defeated 33 times when she had a minority government and also suffered from the worst defeat in political history losing by 230 votes over her Brexit agreement.

DISAGREE 3 Large majority can strengthen the PM

Blair didn’t lose a vote in 8 years

Johnson 80 seat majority – Brexit withdrawal agreement little resistance.