Week 4b Centre Wright BP 2025

British Politics and Government

Course Overview

• Course: British Politics and Government (GOV 366G)

• Professor: David L. Leal

• Semester: Spring 2025

• Week: 4b focuses on The Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and the Government

Chapter Reference

• Author: Tony Wright

• Chapter Title: "Governing: The Strong Centre?"

Theory of Strong Government

• Characteristics:

  • Power transferred from the King to Parliament.

  • Supreme authority of the state is preserved intact and undiminished.

  • Described as a "power hoarding polity" (Anthony King).

  • Concepts include:

    • "Elective dictatorship"

    • "Governments that can govern"

    • "Top-down polity"

Politics as a Clash of Opposites

• Politics characterized not by consensus but by conflict.

• Tony Blair's perspective:

  • Advocated for a strong central authority ensuring the Prime Minister's influence.

  • No apologies for centralization of power.

• Example: 2008 financial crisis highlighted the Chancellor's unilateral power to lend billions to banks.

Powerful Government Roles

• Citizens elect a government which rules without checks or balances.

• Contrast with the U.S. system of separated powers.

Theory Versus Reality

• Every government has differing views within parties:

  • A federation of departments exists.

  • Prime Ministers desire effective levers of power but struggle to find them.

  • Difficulty in micromanaging leads to reliance on other individuals and institutions.

Human Relations and Leadership Challenges

• Challenges in removing dissenting cabinet and parliamentary members due to representation of diverse interests.

• Possible conflicts between key figures (e.g., PM and Chancellor).

• Historical examples where PMs were removed: Thatcher, Blair, and recent leaders.

Results of Government Structure

• Government's ability to deliver effective policies is questioned.

• Notable publication: "The Blunders of Our Government" (2013)

• Operations involve complex networks including departments, agencies, regulators, and contractors.

• Concerns about excessive delegation and "hollowing out" of the state.

Changes in Power Distribution

• Interest rates shifted control to the Bank of England, moving away from Treasury.

• Human Rights Act (1998) serves as a judicial check on government powers.

• Freedom of Information Act (2000) enhances transparency.

• Established standards through the Committee on Standards in Public Life (1994) and regulates elections via the Electoral Commission (2000).

Chapter 6: "Accounting: Parliament and Politicians"

Core Issue of Democratic Accountability

• Understanding democracy goes beyond just removing a government; it involves constant accountability during its term.

• Bagehot emphasized that "the sovereign power must be come-at-able."

• Changes observed in the classic Westminster model of governance.

Parliament and Accountability Mechanisms

• Role of Parliament:

  • Asks questions and demands information.

  • Noted for its loud and often ineffective heckling of the government (notably during PMQs).

• MPs often prioritize party loyalty over individual accountability.

• Example: MPs desiring ministerial positions over being effective checks on the PM.

Existence and Relevance of Parliament

• Declining party unity since the 1960s has impacted Parliamentary effectiveness.

• Key instances: Blair's defeat over military action in Syria and Theresa May's Brexit agreement.

• Notable influence of activist speaker John Bercow during Brexit debates.

Scrutiny of Government Actions

• Legislative processes often controlled by the government, leading to predictable voting results.

• Lack of meaningful debate in Commons, dependence on Lords for improvement.

• Select Committees observed to provide better scrutiny but limited in power.

Informal Accountability Channels

• Continuous negotiations between government and Parliament are necessary.

• Opposition parties challenge government more directly while majority MPs may collaborate internally.

• Coalition governments generate more opportunities for accountability.

Role of the House of Lords

• The Lords become more assertive, enhancing governmental scrutiny and accountability without replicating the Commons.

• Importance of media scrutiny provided by programs like Today Programme and Newsnight, along with external watchdogs and regulators.

Questions of Accountability and Public Trust

• Concerns about increasing power detaching from democratic control.

• Declining public trust correlating with heightened accountability measures, notably highlighted in debates surrounding Brexit.