Prime Minister and their Cabinet

Prime Minister

Most important person in parliament, they are the leader of the largest single party in the Commons thus, the leader of the UK Government.

Inner Cabinet

Small core of ministers a PM relies on for advice or support. In part, it reflects the relatively large size of the full cabinet, but also a tendency for the PM to seek ideas and support from ministers they particularly trust.

Main modern characteristics of the PM’s role

1. A PM cannot simply command their cabinet to completely obey them.

2. Sometimes, PMs have to take hard and tough decisions with regards to ministerial colleagues and important policy decisions.

3. PMs must often work hard to persuade cabinet colleagues to fall into line and come round to their way of thinking.

4. The role involves a lot of learning on the job. There’s no job description for what each PM will face during their time.

5. There is scope for carving out a specific leadership style from what is inherently a flexible role.

How policies are made CASE STUDY - Fulfilling a manifesto pledge: Extending free childcare

In 2017, the Tory manifesto promised to offer working parents/carers of 3-4 year olds 30 hours free childcare a week instead of 15 hours. It was designed to increase the number of parents in work (thus paying taxes and contributing to the economy).

These were for lower-income parents/carers who might not be able to afford childcare otherwise. It was felt as well that socialisation of children at that crucial age of their development would also be beneficial.

Only those earning less than £100,000 would be eligible and rolled out in September 2017.

How policies are made CASE STUDY - The personal convictions of the PM: Privatisation and sale of council houses

Between 1979-90, Thatcher felt council house tenants should be able to buy their homes at a reduced rate. As a result the number in council housing dropped from 5.4 million in 1981, to 4.5 million by 1991.

Also British telecom, Coal, Gas, and Electricity sold off and privatised. Air Traffic control systems, and railways were privatised under Major and Blair.

How policies are made CASE STUDY - Outcome of a Referendum: Brexit

In the 2015 manifesto, Cameron offered an EU referendum in 2016 and the votes to leave won. Cameron resigned leaving the PM to Theresa May who wasn’t convicting enough so resigned in 2019.

Boris Johnson replaced May and in his November 2019 election pledged to “Get Brexit Done”

How policies are made CASE STUDY - The results of deals with minority/coalition parties: 2011 AV Referendum

During the 2010-2015 Coalition Government, the Lib Dems and Conservatives merged manifestos and pledged to hold a referendum on an Alternative Voting system.

Was defeated with a 67.9% - 32.1% split in favour of the No’s (41% turnout though…)

Electoral reform was not implemented and FPTP system was retained for all future elections.

How policies are made CASE STUDY - Response to national crisis and emergency situations, including economic foreign affairs and medical: COVID-19

In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic proved an unexpected issue for Johnson as PM, he had to appear calm, reassuring, and decisive.

Emergency legislation needed passing with the PM needing to be seen to react and respond when they are often making up policy as they go along.

How policies are made CASE STUDY - Mounting pressure from the public and the media: Climate Change Policy

Climate Change pressure movements such as Extinct Rebellion frequently use direct action to draw attention to the issue. They gain support from parents and teachers.

Public influence shifts partly the results of the findings of the governments own independent advisors on Climate Change in The Committee of Climate Change (CCC).

How policies are made CASE STUDY - Changing social and cultural attitudes: The 1960s and liberalisation of public attitudes

The ‘swinging sixties’ were characterised by liberalisation towards sex, marriage, and women’s rights. Divided parties on liberalised matters.

Wilsons government changed social outlook in legal changes with the Diverse Reform Act 1969.

Policy maintaining can therefor often reflect reactively rather than proactively wider changes in social and cultural attitudes.

Dictate events and determine policy-making CASE STUDY - Introduction of the Poll Tax in 1990

Previously, The Rate System was used as the property-based tax which was paid by the Homeowner or Landlords, not tenants. Thatcher wanted to reform that with a ‘fairer’ Community Charge Tax with a flat rate payed by all tenants, pledging reform in her 1987 Manifesto.

Despite much internal backlash from her party (Michael Heseltine) Thatcher championed it. It increased the number of payers up to 38 million from the 14 million paying the Rate System.

Looked fairer but wasn’t and led to her downfall due to her involvement with the bill.

Dictate events and determine policy-making CASE STUDY - The decision to invade Iraq in 2003

Blair’s drive to invade Iraq was largely personal, driven by his desire to strengthen his relationship with Bush and deepen the “Coalition of the Willing”.

Blair’s ‘sofa government’ increased criticism on him because he wasn’t consulting his whole cabinet, more presidential and less scrutiny.

Robin Cooks resignation in the HoC shifts public opinion because it states that you can support troops without war. Resignations of Clare Short and Dr David Kelly further weakened Blairs public support.

The legacy of the Iraq War on Blair tarnished his public view and evidence now shows that subsequent UK governments have been reluctant to deploy troops in the Middle East (Iran 2026)

Dictate events and determine policy-making CASE STUDY - The decision to call an early election in 2017

Theresa May called a snap election in 2017 which was driven by a mix of personal political advantage and the desire to strengthen her mandate for Brexit. The gamble didn’t pay off and she lost seats.

May perceived Corbyn as an easy target and opinion polls showed a 20% Tory majority.

The campaign showed May’s leadership as worrying because she was unable to get a positive majority in the election but it left her with a weakened mandate, complicating her ability to deliver Brexit.

Political Antennae

The requirement of a PM to sense, detect, and interpret difficult political situations without ruining their own political status.

If a political gamble looks to attractive to be true, it usually is. - 2017 Snap Election

PMs authority over their cabinet

The PM exercises formal control over the cabinet due to being primus inter pares meaning first among equals.

The dictate when and where it meets, either in the Cabinet Room of No. 10 or out of London.

They are the formal decision making body of the UK government deciding the agenda and chairing proceedings.

All ministers have to agree as a “collective responsibility” but agreements depend on personalities, issues, and the wider wider political context.

Arranging and chairing cabinet meetings

Most decisions made by the full cabinet have been decided in advance by Cabinet Committees. Reducing the burden on the full cabinet by allowing small groups of minsters to take decision on specific policy areas.

In 2021, there were 11 main committees including: EU exit strategy, COVID-19 strategy, Climate Change, Domestic and Economic Strategy.

In 2015, Cameron introduce Implementation Taskforces to manage and drive the delivery of the governments most important cross cutting priorities.

In 2019, Johnson got rid of these Implementation Taskforces, replacing ones for healthcare, public sector, and economic and business.

Dictating policy priorities

Ability to set priorities and the cabinet agenda is important to the PM, its easy to exert their influence with strong majorities and mandates.

Boris Johnsons 2019 victory gave him a strong mandate to “get Brexit done”

PMs don’t enjoy a blank sheet and unfettered power when deciding policy, they’re bound by manifesto pledges.

Cabinet Office

Created in 1916 to provide support for the cabinet system. 2,000 civil servants support the PM effectively run their government.

Individual PMs often tweak the priorities and roles of the Cabinet Office to reflect current issues.

During the pandemic, the Cabinet Office set up rapid response units to stop misinformation about the virus spreading on media.

Party Leader

As party leader, the PM enjoys additional resources. Because they are elected by MPs and party members, they have a strong degree of legitimacy to their authority.

“Back me or Sack me” - John Major, 1995

Individual Responsibility

Requirement that all ministers are responsible for their own actions while in public office. When they fall short, they are expected to offer their resignation.

Ministerial Accountability

The convention that ministers must explain and justify their actions and decisions, particularly before Parliament and its Committees.

Three examples of Individual Responsibility

Kwasi Kwarteng 2023 - resigned after a disastrous mini budget

Sajid Javid 2022 - resigned due to Boris Johnsons issues

Anneliese Dodds 2025 - Fundamental disagreement over the cutting of international aid budget.

PM and Minister relations: Starmer and Reeves (Chancellor of the Exchequer)

Starmer promised to keep Reeves as chancellor rest of this parliament. Stuttering economic growth since the election means their political fates are closely aligned.

Cutting the civil service by 15% by 2030

Current geo-political climate means she might have to play it safer.

2.5% GDP on defence spending commitments made by cutting UK international aid.

PM and Minister relations: Starmer and Lammy (Foreign Secretary)

Promised to keep Lammy for at least 5 years (2030)

Came after Lammy’s comments calling Trump a “neo-Nazi sympathiser”

Openly supportive of Ukrainian in its war against Russia and is Israel against Hamas

17/03/25: Called Israel’s 16 day blockade a “breach” of international law

Lammy was a staunch Remainer during the Brexit Campaign

PM and Minister relations: Starmer and Cooper (Home Secretary)

Long standing MP who served as chief secretary of the Treasury under Brown.

3 weeks in, she was responsible for putting down the rioting because of Southport Stabbings.

Starmer is under pressure to replace Cooper amid concerns she has lost her grip on the ‘prevent agenda’

Wes Streeting could take over from Cooper if she fails to get control over her ministerial brief.

PM and Minister relations: Starmer and Dodds: international development minister

Dodds resigned in February 2025 due to her being against Reeves spring statement.

Only senior minister to resign over the issue, she saw the deals with Trumps administration but she saw it as a betrayal.

Represents a £6bn cut, which alongside the budget being used to pay for housing costs for asylum seekers is 0.15% in reality.

Diane Abbot is critical, saying it was shameful for others not to resign alongside Dodds.