the prime minister's powers and resources

what are the formal powers of the prime Minster

• prerogative power

• patronage → appointing, dismissing, and reshuffling all minsters. appointing life peers and senior judges

• foreign policy

• commander-in-chief

• head of civil service

what is the electoral mandate

a large majority in the commons gives the PM storng mandate to enact the party’s manifesto

what is the PMs role as party leader

the PM contorls party machienry and its policy direction, relying on party loyalty and the Whi

what is the PMs media and public profile

PM is the ‘face’ of the government, dominating political news and communication, giving them a platform to bypass dissenting ministers

what is the PMs role of Policy control

PM chairs the cabinet, sets the agenda, and has the power to ‘sum up’ discussions, essentially controlling the final decision

what is the PMs offic and cabinet office

an expanded ‘prime ministerial department’ provided the PM with their own source of policy advice and strategic control, independent of departmental ministers