LATEST EXECUTIVE A LEVEL PLAN GOVERNMENT PAPER 2

UNIT 3 PRIME MINISTER & EXECUTIVE

3.1 The structure, role, and powers of the Executive. 3.2 The concept of ministerial responsibility.
• Its structure, including Prime Minister, the Cabinet, junior ministers and government • The concept of individual ministerial responsibility.
departments. • The concept of collective ministerial responsibility.
• Its main roles, including proposing legislation, proposing a budget, and making policy
decisions within laws and budget.
• The main powers of the Executive, including Royal Prerogative powers, initiation of
legislation and secondary legislative power.

3.3 The Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

3.3.1 The power of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
• The factors governing the Prime Minister’s selection of ministers.
• The factors that affect the relationship between the Cabinet and the Prime Minister,
and the ways they have changed and the balance of power between the Prime
Minister and the Cabinet.
3.3.2 The powers of the Prime Minster and the Cabinet to dictate events and determine
policy.
• Students must study the influence of one Prime Minister from 1945 to 1997 and one
post-1997 Prime Minister.
• Students may choose any pre-1997 and any post-1997 Prime Minister, provided that
they study them in an equivalent level of detail, covering both events and
policy, with examples that illustrate both control and a lack of control.

3.1 The Executive is the main player in British politics.

3.1 The ability to initiate legislation is the most important power of the Executive.
3.1 The Executive’s use of Royal Prerogative powers is excessive and should be curtailed.

EXECUTIVE POWERS, important

Royal prerogative Selecting ministers own cabinet power Greater criticism and scrutiny over powers esp SEVERAL constraints over powers
May publicly sacked Osborne in an attempt to try and distance highlighted by GINA MILLER PROROGATION Legislation can be impeded by uncooperative
Also look at royal herself from Cameron's government CASE cabinet
prerogative essay plan Selecting ministers - Boris Johnson announced May far more limited despite her power appoint
DIRECTION OF LEGISLATION 16 new peerages, many of whom are cabinet did not serve her well johnson campign
Power esp important bc in parliament reshuffling ensure best way Conservative donors or supporters (e.g. Daniel AGAINST HER and she couldn't sack him
forward Johnson's cabinet reshuffle Hannan, former Tory MEP)
→ A reshuffle might be an attempt to change the direction of Jonson made Evgeny Lebedev. a peer despite
EXTRA: Government Policy. By moving key figures in the Government, a advice that he may be a security concern SO royal prerogative power to appoint is dependent on
different emphasis can be placed on different policies. For example, in party unity and cabinet ministers and issues at hand
POWERS OF PM July 2014 Michael Gove was removed as Education Secretary after which recent years has caused power Pm decrease as
can create a new dept, continually upsetting teaching unions. it returns to parliament as whole
dept for exiting
european union mad KEEP UP W CHANGING DYNAMIC ENSURE SMOOTH RUNNING
may theresa may Javid resigned as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on 5
which was disbanded July. He was replaced by Steve Barclay, - he resigned as Chancellor
by johnson during the February 2020 cabinet reshuffle after refusing a demand
from Johnson and his chief adviser Dominic Cummings that he
dismiss his advisers

Initiate legislation THERE ARE DIRECT MECHANISMS PUT IN PLACE PROTECT THE Recent years the power depends on if executive PARTY LEADERSHIP CABINET CONSTRAINTS
—----- EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY OVER LEGISLATION makeup is in favour on PM case for May with large party divisions over Brexit and
Secondary leg Salisbury convention Theresa may weakness negotiations, grammar schools, etc. Moreover, the PM
1911 and 1945 parliament acts Legislation passing difficult in divided parties must carry the support of Parliament, and without a
when PM not supported by executive disunited majority of support in Parliament they lose their
Secondary leg success THERSA MAY - had no choice but pay DUP for authority.
‘Rule of six’ legislation passed in 2020 was passed as a statutory supply agreement ime ministers such as May, who lose their
instrument, meaning it could be fast-tracked through Parliament. REFORM in education system changes a level, parliamentary majority, have limitations to their power
Executive created this SI. —-> statutory Sick Pay (Suspension of setting up free schools
Waiting Days and General Amendment Regulations (2020) – This may wasn't elected, when she replaced Cameron.
allowed for the waiting period for SSP to be removed during HOUSE OF LORDS Moreover, numerous of her policies like on grammar
COVID-19. Tax credit cut in 2015 - tried to pass a primary schools, hadn't been contained in the party's original
legislation as secondary HOL- makes dure manifesto, which voted the party into government;
POWER OF PROPOSING A BUDGET dangerous legislation that can be detrimental to DEMENTIA TAX
2020 - freeze on tax bands, scraping of 5% tampon tax, extra 27p on people isn't passed - delayed tory’s attempt
pack cigarettes Tax credits vote: PM accuses Lords of breaking Blair was largely reined in by Brown, such as on the
IN CVOID CRISIS, EXTRA £5BN EMERGENCY FUND FOR PUBLIC issue of joining the Euro which Blair failed to get
constitutional convention
SERVICES through due to Brown's dissent
Rapid review’ sought after peers vote to delay
Policy fits agenda so govt levelling up agenda means every govt dept is direct in levelling up tax credit cuts until compensation scheme for
→ Such as 2021 open 3 freeports low tax areas in TEESIDE
low-paid workers is worked out
→ 2021 home office agree move 500 staff roles to new centre on stoke on trent as part govt
aim to have 25% staff based outside london by 2025

ROYAL PREROGATIVE IS EXCESSIVE AND SHOULD BE CURTAILED

Appointing Selecting ministers own cabinet ABUSE prerogative power gives the PM role of LOTS constraints over powers
May publicly sacked Osborne in an attempt to try and primus inter pares, which means that the PM is senior HOL Appointments commision wishes to make further
ministers distance herself from Cameron's government member of cabinet, and has control over its appointments to the independent cross benches
Also act as system of rewards to loyal members - membership (as parts of its patronage powers, i.e. May far more limited despite her power appoint cabinet
controversial honours list cameron inc george osborne and the power to hire and fire) and agenda. did not serve her well johnson campign AGAINST HER
tory donors KITCHEN STYLE CABINET and she coudknt sack him
Jo johnson appointment and peter crudas after
 2011 fixed parliament act RETURNED back to PM as the act £50,000 donation Blair was largely reined in by Brown, such as on the issue
failed and powers returned PM in 2022 dissolution and calling of of joining the Euro which Blair failed to get through due
parliament act to Brown's dissent

SO royal prerogative power to appoint is dependent on

party unity and cabinet ministers and issues at hand which
recent years has caused power Pm decrease as it returns to
parliament as whole

Military PM action often
intervention Iraq war w no vote DESPITE PROTEST MILLION S HYDE
PARK
THERESA MAY MILITARY FORCE SYRIA 2018 despite
exercising these powers, the PM is representing the
whole nation, giving them great authority and power.
THERESA MAY SYRIA with no prior palr vote despite
warnings from MPs not to
Facing robin cook resignation an order military action and sign int treaties -POWER
And defeat in parliament OF PARLIAMENT MORE THAN PM
says Deploying armed forced cameron 2015 MPs voted
I may not have succeeded in halting the war, 397 to 223 in favour of sending RAF Tornados into
but I did secure the right of parliament to the skies over SyriaMPs voted 397 to 223 in favour
decide on war of sending RAF Tornados into the skies over Syria

3.2 The convention of ministerial responsibility has been eroded over recent governments.
3.2 Individual ministerial responsibility is more binding than collective ministerial responsibility.
3.2 The convention of ministerial responsibility empowers the government.
3.2 The convention of ministerial responsibility enriches the UK’s parliamentary system.

Ministerial resp not effective

COLLECTIVE promotes detailed discussion beyond closed doors
- ‘living with COVID’ plan there was fierce debate
RESPONSIBILITY between the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, and the Health
Secretary, Sajid Javid, about the plan to remove free
Lateral Flow Tests
→ both then supported the PM’s final decision in public.
This strengthens the government as it becomes more
careful and more deliberative.
KEPT as resignations occur = Minister who does not
morally feel they can support a government policy
should resign. The most famous example of this was
However issue w resignations
EG some Ministers who are considered ‘big
beasts’ are shown to be above CMR. For
example, Theresa May appointed Boris
Johnson as Foreign Secretary not because
she liked or respected him but because he
was a potential leadership rival. As Foreign
Secretary he consistently briefed against
May and even wrote damaging articles in
Does Not work and can be ABANDONED IN
BIG EVENTS SUCH AS COALITION CAN BE
IGNORED SUSPENDED - diff sides of AV
referendum and trident renewal and new
nuclear power stations
= SHOWS HOW CMR IS ABANDONED at
times esp during coalition govt, national refs
EU,
Debate motion debate abt no-deal brexit
under any circumstance-
AV ref AND trident renewal and new
 Robin Cook who in 2003 resigned over the decision to
invade Iraq without a second UN resolution
enables the public to trust that Government Ministers are
acting for what they believe to be right, rather than simply
following orders. More recently, resignations by Lord
Agnew over COVID-19 fraud and Lord Wolfson over
‘partygate’ show that this principle is still very active in
British Politics.
INDIVIDUAL Upheld - in 2021 the Chief Whip, Andrew Mitchell, was
alleged to have told a Police Officer to learn his “f**ing
RESPONSIBILITY - personal place” and that he was a “pleb”. Mitchell denied the
misconduct language he was alleged to have used, but admitted he
had been rude. Whilst it was Mitchell’s word against the
officers, the Conservative Leadership was conscious that
‘plebgate’ was reinforcing an image of the Tories as elitist
and out of touch. As such, Mitchell was asked to resign.
the Daily Telegraph but she could not sack
him, instead he resigned in July 2018
arguably causing her even more damage
Theresa May suffered over 50 resignations
under CMR – all relating to Brexit. Some her
Ministers voted against her in Parliament but
were allowed to remain in office. For
example, eight ministers, including Andrea
Leadsom, voted against an Article 50
extension in March 2019. Such was May’s
weakness that she could not enforce CMR
on these Ministers, undermining its
credibility
one the key limits of IMR – the Prime Minister
is ‘judge, jury and executioner’ and is
unlikely to want to risk politically damaging
themselves by removing their own ministers
JOHNSON accused of changing the
ministerial code to help “save his skin” by
the guardian ahead of a new Partygate
inquiry = Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy
leader, also highlighted Johnson’s move to
rewrite the foreword to the code, removing
“all references to integrity, objectivity,
accountability, transparency, honesty and
leadership in the public interest”.
nuclear power stations WHEN COLLECTIVE
REPS NO APPLIED
In coalition → lib dem Secretary Vince Cable
was regularly at odds in public with
Conservative Cabinet Members. In 2013 he
criticised the Conservative Party for their
“ugly” and “blinkered” policies. In particular he
attacked Conservative policies on
immigration, the economy and Europe.
—-------------------------
Can be dismissed as can argue its flexibility
is a strength as it allows the convention to
continue even if difficult political
circumstances arise under which the
convention simply could not otherwise
survive intact. This was also seen during the
coalition when CMR was relaxed (if not
removed) to enable reasonable
disagreement to emerge between the
Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
EG
during the referendums and during free
votes CMR is usually suspended. This is what
allowed Michael Gove to campaign to
Leave the EU and Philip Hammond to
abstain on the vote for Same-Sex Marriage
Not upheld Priti Patel The Ministerial Code
says: “Harassing, bullying or other
inappropriate or discriminating behaviour
wherever it takes place is not consistent with
the Ministerial Code and will not be tolerated”
The Home Secretary Priti Patel was accused
in 2020 of bullying civil servants, including by
swearing at them and belittling them. The
Permanent Secretary of the Home Office
even resigned citing her behaviour. In
November 2020 a Cabinet Office enquiry
found that Patel “had not met the
requirements of the ministerial code to treat
civil servants with consideration and respect”.
Boris Johnson, however, refused to ask for
Patel’s resignation and she continues in
position to this day. It is quite clear that the

INDIVIDUAL Windrush scandal 2018 Amber Rudd resigned as Home
Secretary after admitting that she had inadvertently misled
RESPONSIBILITY - the Home Affairs Select Committee by stating she was
departmental failures unaware of deportation removal targets when evidence
indicated that she had seen documentation to that effect
expected under the code that Ministers can ‘handle their
brief’ and should resign if they cannot. In 2002 two
Ministers resigned due to this, with both Estelle Morris
and Stephen Byers doing so after several problems in
their department
3.3 The UK has moved from cabinet government to presidential government. HFDYA
3.3 Party unity has been the most important factor in choosing cabinet ministers. HFDYA
3.3 The Prime Minister is able to exert significant power over Cabinet. HFDYA
3.3 The Prime Minister’s relationship with Cabinet is the most important factor determining their success. HFDYA
3.3 Prime Ministers are controlled by events, not the other way around. HFDYA
3.3 The importance of Cabinet has diminished in recent years. HFDYA
Since 2002 a lowering in standards as
ministers wish not take individual resp and
simply
can just shift the blame and avoid individual
resp
In 2020 following the examination results
fiasco it was Sally Collier, Head of Ofqual,
who resigned rather than the Minister
responsible – Gavin Williamson
→
number of Ministers who have more
recently failed to adequately carry out their
brief and have survived in office without
being removed or tendering their resignation.
Gavin Williamson oversaw a series of policy
disasters as Education Secretary in 2020
and yet remained in office until September
2021,
Cabinet Office report found clear evidence
that Patel had been a bully. However, she is
consistently found to be a popular member
of the Conservative Party with its members. It
would not have been in Boris Johnson’s
political interest to remove her. Therefore, he
ignored the requirements of his own
ministerial code and did not remove her
from office. Following this decision, the
author of the report Sir Alex Allen even
resigned in protest at the Prime Minister's
decision
Not upheld
Chris Grayling remained in Government for
several years despite a number of
high-profile policy errors which led to him
being dubbed ‘Failing Grayling’ by the
media. These mistakes included giving a
ferry contract to a company who had never
owned ferries.
3.3 The Prime Minister is too powerful. HFDYA
3.3 The power of the PM comes mainly from their dominance over Parliament, not their Cabinet. HFDYA
3.3 Since 2010, we have seen a return to Cabinet government. HFDYA
3.3 The key power of the PM is the ability to choose ministers. HFDYA
3.3 The PM is the most important actor in British politics. HFDYA
3.3 There are no meaningful checks on prime ministerial power. HFDYA
PMs personalities and leadership styles the main factor in affecting their power yes
PERSONALITY, LEADERSHIP Fear Of alternative
Not leadership but PM get power and stand
out of fear alternative AND DUE TO WEAK
OPPOSITION
May elected out of fear of unstable govt
and rumours of coalition between corbyn
labour and SNP
e PM must carry the support of Parliament,
and without a majority of support in
Parliament they lose their authorit
May wasn't elected, when she replaced
Cameron. Moreover, numerous of her
policies like on grammar schools, hadn't
been contained in the party's original
manifesto, which voted the party into
government; consequently, May was unable
to pass her legislation to lift the ban on
grammar schools, with a flagship policy
being quietly abandoned a year later and
her arguably having to call a GE in order to
enhance her authority
PARTY - MAJORITY, COHESION UNIFIED PARTY easier to manage and
majority allow pm remove whips rebels
make it useless to rebel
JOHNSON stripped TORY WHIP and rightg
vote in leadership election from TOBIAS
ELWOOD after he failed support govt in
confidence vote
Therefore, it's not only PM leadership and
Cut short OF USING POWER so in practice
may had no real power bc weak leadership
- not all PMs are able to sway the media to
the same extent and much is up to their
force of personality; certainly, for much of
their time in office, Thatcher and Blair
enjoyed this advantage. E.g. respect lost for
May through her dance and Miliband
through the bacon sandwich, contrasted
with a strong image of Maggie on top of
Challenger tank.
Faced 230 defeat in parl, struggled pass
bexit deal, forced join supply and demand w
DUP
BLAIR AND THATCHER
they remain accountable to their party and
constituents and can be effectively removed
if the party loses faith in them. E.g. Thatcher
over poll tax and Blair over Europe
Therefore , the PM must maintain the
support of their party - if the party seems
divided or loses public support, this
becomes detrimental to public image; e.g.
ELECTORAL ASSET johnson and blair and media and
how pushed own view
the growth of personalised election campaigning in the
UK, PMs continue to be appointed as a result of
parliamentary elections, not by a separate electoral
process, as occurs in the USA.
.blair had most power since he had strongest
leadership and personality
EXTERNAL FACTORS Image is also dependent on
certain events, which can cause weaknesses in the
position of the PM, as demonstrated with Brown (over
the financial crisis after 2008), Cameron (over the EU
referendum) and May (lo
Party can take away from power of PM can esp diff
circumstances brexit ,
 Leadership
personality that is important.
doesn’t affect prerogative powers
if the governing party is ideologically united,
as was the case under Thatcher and Blair
for some time, it is unlikely to challenge the
power of the PM, the same is true for the
opposite as is the current case for May with
large party divisions over Brexit and
negotiations, grammar schools, etc.
DOMINATE CABINET
AGENDA PM has a great deal of control over Cabinet
meetings and can direct them in a course
that suits what the PM wants, which is
furthered by the fact that the PM convenes
cabinet meetings, decides when they are
called and sets their length; it means that in
effect, the PM determines the role and
significance of the entire cabinet
Blair they rarely lasted more than an hour,
which, when taking into consideration the
size of Cabinet and the sheer amount of
in 2003, when Cook along with other
ministers resigned due to Iraq, Blair's image
was damaged
Exaggerated m not always control agenda .
The power the PM has over Cabinet is not
absolute and relies heavily upon them being
popular and successful.
coalition agreement, in which policy must be in
accordance between parties. In 2010,
compromise was essential, and the cabinet had
to take some Lib Dem policies, such as the 2011
seen as important in party adn divided over issues
johnson oncovida lateral flow testing
Also navigating external issues w leadership
more important EXTERNAL BROWN 2008 crash
dull personality weka leadership same for truss
PM has no right to presidential status: unless you
acquire the status through respect and own image
POINTING BACK TO LEADERSHIP AND PERSONALITY,
external factors an d events often play big role in
shaping PM image
Labour government of Callaghan seemed weak
because it was unable to control trade union demands
for pay increases in the winter of discontent when
strikes brought many public services to a halt. Thatcher
won the 1979 election because she offered a tough
response to the strikers whom she dubbed 'the
wreckers in our midst' = this built on the success of a
Conservative advertising campaign with the slogan
'Labour isn't working', reminding voters of rising
unemployment under Labou
Despite a unified part it is useless if leader ship not
strong
Brown suffered a loss of personal popularity from the
charge that he had never faced the electorate as PM.
this power as circumstantial
thatcher started off as high achieving in her foreign
affairs from the Falklands, and thus ruled her
Cabinet with an iron grip, but towards the end of
her career as a PM, she lost huge amounts of
public and ministerial support, and her Cabinet
began to turn from her. Her Deputy PM, Howe,
even resigned over her European poli
Signal great turbulence and problems within
 issues that are discussed, indicates that AV referendum. Cabinet, and damage the political standing and
Blair put little importance on Cabinet media reputation of the Government. Furthermore,
meetings. Blair was also extremely in any case, cabinet has the ultimate power to
dominant: he refused to disclose what was overrule the PM if they act too dictatorially, such
on the agenda in order to stay in control, BROWNE AND CABINET DISSENT NOT ALLOW as Thatcher being replaced by Major after her
leaving cabinet unprepared. Similarly, BLAIR JOIN EURO unpopular Poll Tax and Blair losing 100 seats in
Thatcher, at first, manipulated the Cabinet to 2005 due to the Iraq War; i.e. the PM must carry
great effect for her cause. She would speak the cabinet with them.
to individuals outside of meetings, change
the agenda to suit her, divided and ruled
over the ministers and would essentially lay
the foundations for what the modern PMs
now could carry out; this has given rise to
sofa government, which refers to the
informal decision making taken by Blair via
bilateral meetings, and the kitchen cabinet,
a result of close reliance on non-elected
advisors and close allies. This rendered
cabinet less obstructive (such as on the
2003 Iraq War

cabinet meetings can become places

where discussion isn’t encouraged and
dissent not tolerated, and many of the
decisions made there have in fact already
been approved of, but merely require
formal approval (i.e. cabinet becomes echo
chamber/rubber stamp) -

PATRONAGE basis of establishing PM authority, as well as
rewarding loyalty.
May was determined to distance herself
from Cameron's administration when she
became PM in 2016 and sacked the former
chancellor Osborne, as well as a further
senior ministers over the next 24 hours.
sters over the next 24 hours. Similarly, PMs
may reward loyalty, including key allies with
cabinet positions but also conciliating
potential rivals. Boris. Blair began his
second term in 2001 by appointing several
committed supporters of New Labour to
key positions, including David Blunkett as
Home Secretary and Alan Milburn as health
CMR UNDERMINED AS JOHNSON DID
PMs patronage powers aren’t as substantial as it
may initially seem
Firstly, they weren't applicable in 2010 since, as
part of the negotiations to form the coalition,
Cameron had to allow the Liberal Democrats 5
of the 22 Cabinet posts. Thus, nominations to
these (and to an agreed number of junior posts)
were the preserve of the Liberal Democrat
leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Clegg. When
a Liberal Democrat minister resigned, Clegg
found a replacement from his own party; this
meant that there was a formal constraint on the
PMs power of appointment.
Moreover, even in a single-party government a
PM does not in practice have total freedom to
IN GENRAL EVEN MAJORTY AS WHOEL POWER
PATRANGE WEAK ESP NOW
majority of PMs are constrained by the fact that
they don’t have an unlimited pool of talent in the
parliamentary party. There will always be a large
number of MPs who are natural backbenchers,
who do not have the aptitude for high office, or
whose views place them too far outside the
mainstream to make them acceptable as ministers.
Moreover, in order to maintain party unity, it is often
necessary to find posts for MPs with different
ideological views from those of the PM; e.g. taking
over after the 2016 EU referendum, May had to
include prominent supporters of Brexit, such as
Boris Johnson and Liam Fox, as well as individuals
who had supported the Remain side, such as Philip
Hammond and Amber Rudd.
 secretary, both of whom were also
personally loyal to him. E.g. Blair's
appointment of Brown as chancellor. This
largely enhances the PM’s power over
cabinet members as the PM can use
promotion as reward for support, and
demotion as a threat for a lack of. It also
keeps backbenchers eager and loyal with
the suggestion of promotion
appoint whom they want.
THERESA MAY t Cabinet is essentially people who want the PM
job, so loyalty may be clouded. Also, the big beasts
may be more loyal to their depts.
tradtion and pattern seen MAY TO JOHNSON TO
TRUSS TO SUNAK
All members of cabinet

Especial bc of CMR [collective ministerial

responab ility]

“Evaluate the view that the prime minister is now a president in all but name”. - Agree

Relationship with Relationship with Cabinet Relationship with Cabinet Relationship with Cabinet
Cabinet - One could argue that constitutionally, the PM cannot be a - There is no constitutionally binding - According to the presidential model, the cabinet
president as it derives its agreement that forces the PM to call on becomes almost irrelevant in
political legitimacy to govern from the Crown and not the Cabinet decision-making in the same way as its role is more
people. There is thus a which allows the PM to make decisions without marginal in the USA. This is
their input because the prime minister can increasingly afford to
closer relationship between the PM and Cabinet to ensure that - Blair’s approach was Highly presidential and ignore the cabinet because
their proposals are for his government has often been they have their own popular mandate directly from the
the good of the nation referred to as a command-Priministership, In electorate through public
- In 1976, the Labour government was in turmoil over whether to which the cabinet was so acclamation, and to have less need to have that
accept a loan diminished that it was just notified of decisions legitimised by cabinet
from the International monetary fund with a company in demand to have already been made in - Operating with a 179 seat majority from 1997 GE, Blair
for stringent the prime minister‘s Private Office which has enjoyed a strong
cuts in public spending the chancellor of the exchequers, Denis also been referred to as a ‘sofa rapport with the British people which reached far beyond
Healey, argued government’ in which Blair made key decisions traditional party
that there is no alternative to the loan. However, Callaghan in bilateral meetings with duties, and father persuaded him that cabinet was
needed to prove senior ministers and key advisors, such as insignificant in policy
that the government was united on the issue for the debate, the Jonathan Powell, his chief of staff development. Even before his first Cabinet meeting, Balir
issue which and Alistair Campbell, his press secretary. and the Chancellor of
resulted in the government accepting the loan. the Exchequer, Gordon Brown decided to give interest
- Shows how Cabinet has specific skills that can provide raising powers to the
reassurance over political Bank of England.
decisions that can make or break govt support - This exclusion of the Cabinet from legitimising salient
political decisions silences their
purposes and thus amplifies the dominance of the PM,
potentially creating a ‘sofa
government’ whereby key decisions are already made in
 bilateral meetings with the
Cabinet being alerted often at the same time as the rest
of govt

Relationship with the Relationship with the Media Relationship with the Media Relationship with the Media
media - Some may argue that the PM need not have a positive - Consistent Media criticism leads to PM - The positive media perception of PMs, coupled with
reception with the media to downfall their strong parliamentary
- This is evidenced by Boris Johnson’s premiership who was - Boris Johnson's involvement in the Partygate, majorities, allows them to bypass Cabinet and be more
bashed by popular revealed by the Sue Gray report, individualistic
media outlets such as The Guardian and the Telegraph for his and his subsequent penalty notice deemed the - The Times, a prominent British newspaper, published
unlawful final blow as he resigned soon editorials and articles
prorogation of parliament yet remained in power afterwards after much criticism from praising Thatcher's leadership during the Falklands War.
- Also bashed by the Opposition during PMQT where Starmer mainstream media for being the first PM They highlighted her
called for his to being convicted of a crime whilst a PM resolute response to the invasion and her ability to rally
immediate resignation national support. The
newspaper credited her with displaying strong and
determined leadership in
defending British interests. This solidified her image as an
“Iron Lady” and
influenced her more assertive stance over her Cabinet
including the decision
to introduce a poll tax despite rejection from her Cabinet
The media’s appetite for celebrity news, and their
enthusiastic coverage of personal
interventions in global crisis has further increased the
constant spotlight on the prime
minister rather than the government cabinet in a highly
presidential fashion

“Evaluate the view that a Prime minister's main priority when selecting a Cabinet is to advance his or her political allies.” NO

Advancing political allies vs
Controlling rivals
Could be argued that a PM may wish to surround himself
with close political allies
which tend to support policies through more constructive
advice.
- After his second landslide general election victory, Tony
Blair advanced the
careers of labour modernises, such as Alan Johnson
(Secretary of state for
Education), and Alan Milburn (Secretary of state for Health)
in order to provide
Controlling rivals
- Attempting to maintain Cabinet support
this way is counterproductive as it
decreases
the loyalty of ‘big beasts’ who as a result of
remaining in the backbenchers, may feel
the need to cause more backbench
rebellions
- Although they had a stormy relationship,
Blair knew that having Gordon Brown
in his Cabinet was much safer than having
Controlling rivals
- PM is mainly focused controlling political rivals as
this binds them under the
conventions of collective ministerial responsibility,
making their challenge to govt less
likely
- During Tony Blair's tenure as Prime Minister, he
appointed Gordon Brown, his
long-time rival, as Chancellor of the Exchequer. This
strategic move was seen
as an attempt to keep Brown's ambitions in check
 his government with continued reforming momentum.
- This allows the PM to stamp his authority down more
seamlessly on Cabinet by
advancing to Senior positions key allies whom they can rely
on to provide
unwavering support, which is especially important during a
crisis
him on the back benches. This is
because he had support of the “brownites”,
as well as the left of the Labour
Party and Scottish Labour MPs.
- Shows how only advancing political allies
could create problems between the PM
and powerful MPs with popular support
within the legislature
and maintain party unity. By
giving Brown a prominent role in economic policy,
Blair aimed to control his
influence and prevent any potential challenges to his
leadership.
- After becoming Prime Minister in 2019, Boris
Johnson appointed Dominic
Raab, a prominent Brexiteer and former leadership
rival, as Secretary of State
for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. This move
was seen as an effort to
bridge divides within the Conservative Party and
bring influential Brexit
supporters into key positions, while also ensuring
control over government
policy.
- By controlling Cabinet this way, the PM is able to
bring more ideological unity to not
only the Cabinet but the executive overall, as various
factions will see their ideas
represented at the top of govt, therefore less likely to
rebel against govt policy

Advancing political allies vs
Appointing talented MPs
Advancing political allies Appointing talented MPs
- Some could argue that advancing political allies is done in - Party image is weakened if the Cabinet
order to promote a has incompetent MP’s
positive party image - Priti Patel was appointed as Home
- Boris Johnson, upon becoming Prime Minister, appointed Secretary in 2019, despite having limited
Rishi Sunak, a rising experience in senior ministerial roles.
star within the party and a loyal ally, as Chancellor of the Throughout her tenure, Patel faced
Exchequer. This numerous controversies and accusations of
appointment was aimed at showcasing a fresh face and incompetence. One significant
projecting an image of incident involved allegations of bullying and
economic competence and optimism, contributing to the mistreatment of her staff, which
positive party image led to an independent inquiry and her
of the Conservative government. subsequent resignation from the
- Lizz Truss’ Cabinet featured no White male in the Top 4 government in 2017 when she was serving
executive roles, the as International Development
first time in British history Secretary. Patel's actions and the
subsequent fallout tarnished the
- By having loyal allies in key positions, the Prime Minister government's party image, as it raised
can ensure effective questions about the judgement and
communication of the party's policies and messaging to the decision-making of Prime Minister Boris
public. This helps to Johnson in appointing her to such a
shape a coherent and consistent narrative that promotes crucial position.
Appointing talented MPs
- It is more pressing for a PM to appoint talented and
experienced MPs as their strong
background in specific policy areas can bring
valuable expertise and knowledge to
the Cabinet. Their depth of understanding and
familiarity with the workings of
government can contribute to informed
decision-making and effective policy
development.
- During her tenure as Prime Minister, Margaret
Thatcher promoted experienced
MPs who had proven their capabilities and loyalty.
For instance, she appointed
Geoffrey Howe as Chancellor of the Exchequer, who
had previously held
various ministerial positions. She also appointed
Douglas Hurd as Home
Secretary and John Major as Chancellor of the
Exchequer, both of whom had
gained significant experience in government roles
before their Cabinet
 the party's image and appointments.
resonates with its supporters. - As a result of this, effective policy is proposed
- A more diverse Cabinet encourages cross-electoral which enhances the party image of
support as its multi-identity govt. Thatchers hard stance on trade unionism,
resonates with more people agreed within Cabinet, also shows
how appointed experienced MPs to Cabinet allows
for policies to emerge that are in
line with the overton window

“Evaluate the view that Cabinet plays an insignificant role in British politics.” DISAGRee

Emergency/National Cabinet is insignificant when it comes to National
Crisis Emergencies
- Party leaders may act individually on matters that
concern the security of state due to
royal prerogative powers giving them more autonomy to
do so
- Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, acting under the royal
prerogative,
authorised the deployment of British military forces to
retake the Falkland
Islands after they were invaded by Argentina. While the
decision was not
subject to a specific parliamentary vote, it received broad
political support and
was subsequently endorsed by Parliament.
- Unique powers of the PM ostracise the Cabinet from the
decision making process,
rendering their skills useless in tackling emergencies
- Highlights how their powers are still subordinate to that
of the PM which makes their
sidelining easier to initiate
Cabinet is significant when it comes to National
Emergencies
- This exaggerates the insignificance of Cabinet in this
scenario
- Following the Argentinian invasion of the Falklands
in April 1992, Margaret
Thatcher, zoom in an emergency meeting a cabinet to
discuss all the
diplomatic and military options open to government
argument: Cabinet is significant when it comes to National
Emergencies
- Cabinet is crucial to the successfulness of govt response to national
emergencies as
their expertise ensures that political decisions are well made
- In 1976, the Labour government was in turmoil over whether to
accept a loan
from the International monetary fund with its accompanying demands
for
stringent cuts in public spending. The chancellor of the exchequers,
Denis
Healey, argued that there is no alternative to the loan. However,
Callaghan
needed to prove that the government was united on the issue for the
debate,
the issue which resulted in the government accepting the loan.
- Shows how Cabinet has specific skills that can provide reassurance
over political
decisions that can make or break govt support

Govt power base Cabinet cannot contend with a strong PM base
- Theoretically, if a govt has a large majority, this reflects a
popularity of the PM which
can be used to become more presidential in the approach
to politics
- Operating with a 179 seat majority from 1997 GE, Blair
Cabinet can contend with a strong PM base
- This scenario is unique to Blair due to his
revolutionary political presence which
allowed him to dominate Cabinet more easily than
usual, so much so that the term
‘Sofa govt’ derives from his style of leadership.
Cabinet is powerful in light of weak majorities
- Cabinet is especially powerful when a PM operates under a minority
or marginal govt
as they cannot afford for legislative disagreements within the
legislature, let alone
Cabinet
 enjoyed a strong
rapport with the British people which reached far beyond
traditional party
duties, and further persuaded him that cabinet was
insignificant in policy
development. Even before his first Cabinet meeting, Balir
and the Chancellor of
the Exchequer, Gordon Brown decided to give interest
raising powers to the
Bank of England.
- This exclusion of the Cabinet from legitimising salient
political decisions silences their
purposes and thus amplifies the dominance of the PM,
potentially creating a ‘sofa
government’ whereby key decisions are already made in
bilateral meetings with the
Cabinet being alerted often at the same time as the rest of
govt
- Thatcher also operated with a large majority but - Theresa May operated under a minority government which was
due to her failure to Consult especially
Cabinet over key issues led to a series of resignations, critical, seen as though she was left to deal with the increasingly
most notably from polarised
Nigel Lawson as her Chancellor of the Exchequer, on issue of Brexit. The resignations of David Davis, as Brexit secretary and
the grounds that he Boris
thought that she was listening to her Economics Johnson as Foreign Secretary after the Cabinet decision to pursue a
advisor, Alan Walters, more softer
than him. These resignations undermined her Brexit further exposed to divisions within the party, challenging her
authority and led to her own authority.
resignation due to a lack of support for her during the This Led to massive parliamentary defeats of the Brexit deal proposals
leadership contest in
- By abandoning CMR, Cabinet can overstate the January and March 2019, leading to her resignation
significance of parliamentary - Cabinet is strong if there is ideological unity, and if this is lacking, they
majorities and more directly hold the govt to account can express
by undermining their public this through rejection of PM proposals and resignation, breaking the
image Conventions of
CMR and putting pressure on the PM to act or resign themselves,
showing
undisputed influence in British politics

CASE STUDY A01

Thatcher

blair
johnson

may

Rishi -
 Thatcher
Parliamentary terms/majorities Key policy goals
● 1979: 43 ● Privitisation of nationalised industries
● 1983: 144 ● Curbing power of trade unions: The 1980 Employment Act outlawed “secondary
● 1987: 102 action” by trade unions
● Cutting govt debt and taxation, reducing govt regulations on business, reducing
welfare state
● Emphasis on national defence and confronting USSR
● The Housing Act, 1980, allowed council tenants to purchase council homes at a
significantly discounted price. This was a manifesto pledge in 1979 to establish the
UK as a “property-owning democracy”. By 1987 more than 1 million homes had been
sold to their tenants under the scheme which proved very popular with those
tenants who taken a step onto the housing ladder

Leadership style Party Unity

● presidential style, dominating her Cabinet and very much engaging in prime ● Up to 1982-83 Tory party fundamentally split
ministerial government rather than cabinet government ● ‘wets’ favoured centrist one-nation policies (seen as weak in dealing with UK’s
● Refused to compromise with opponents economic problems)
● When Thatcher came to power in 1979 her first Cabinet contained a mix of ● ‘dries’ were neo-liberals, led by Thatcher
"Thatcherites" and "Wets". None were still there when Thatcher left power in 1990 ● 1982: leadership purged of ‘wets’, dismissed opponents from Cabinet and
● the lack of a codified constitution and executive dominance of the legislature replaced them with her allies
meant that Margaret Thatcher seemed to be in complete control of government ● She became the head of a united party, agreeing on her political vision
● being such a dominant leader, Margaret Thatcher received much of the credit for
the government’s successes but also received the bulk of the blame for when
things went wrong or for less popular policies

Events
● In the face of mounting unemployment (it reached 2 million for the first time), she was urged by Conservative critics to “U-turn” from her spending cuts agenda, replying
“You turn if you want to, the Lady’s not for turning!”
● Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands in 1982 and Thatcher sent a taskforce to retake the islands for the UK. A key moment in the conflict was the sinking of the General
Belgrano – an Argentine ship. Thatcher personally ordered the torpedoing of the ship which, it later transpired, was sailing away from an exclusion zone. However, the
general public was supportive of the Falklands War and Thatcher’s role in it, massively turning around her popularity ratings and contributing to her landslide victory in the
1983 General Election.
● In 1984, the National of Union of Mineworkers (NUM) went on strike, in opposition to the closure of a large number of pits. The strike went on for over a year, with bloody
scenes of conflict between pickets and police, including the infamous Battle of Orgreave. Eventually the miners went back to work and, unlike in 74, the government had
won, and greatly reduced union power and militancy. The public were divided over the strike, with many on the left and in the north firmly backing the strikers, contributing
to Thatcher being seen as a deeply divisive political figure even today, with many passionate in their support for and opposition to her premiership and legacy.
● In 1986 there was a row over helicopters – the Westland affair – which exacerbated the disagreements between Margaret Thatcher and her charismatic cabinet member
Michael Heseltine (known as "Tarzan"). Heseltine resigned and became a focus of anti-Thatcher feeling on the government backbenches and an alternative leader in
waiting.
● In 1990 there were riots in London as people protested the Community Charge, which was popularly known as the Poll Tax. There were also prison riots at Strangeways in
the same year. It was probably the “Poll tax” and divisions about Europe which dominated the closing years of the Thatcher premiership and led to her downfall

● 1989 - Thatcher is challenged by little-known Sir Anthony Meyer, wins by 314 votes to 33. After Geoffrey Howe’s resignation in 1990 over Europe, ‘One Nation’ Heseltine
challenges her - she wins first round by 204 votes to 152. Consultation with Cabinet persuades her to resign.
 Blair
Parliamentary terms/majorities Key policy goals
● 1997: 179 ● Making the Bank of England independent (therefore allowing it set interest
● 2001: 167 rates without political interference).
● 2005: 66 ● Devolution to Scotland and Wales
● The Good Friday Agreement was reached, beginning a peace process in
→ presidential approach to cabinet, with short full-cabinet meetings generally rubber-stamping
decisions that had been taken elsewhere (either in various bilateral meetings, cabinet committees or in what
Northern Ireland (and securing devolution to Northern Ireland).
came to be described as “sofa government”: Blair’s meetings with close advisers and supporters outside the ● Introduced the national minimum wage
formal government structures) ● Lords reform: removing most of the hereditary peers from the chamber
→ Having never lost a vote in the House of Commons from 1997 to 2005, Blair’s final period in office saw
a rash of defeats. With a majority of 66, this required large backbench rebellions, but the backbenchers
● Freedom of Information Act
had developed a taste for rebellion over Iraq ● Controversial public sector reforms (including foundation hospitals and
→ most high-profile defeat was over a proposal to all terrorist suspects to be held without charge for 90 academies)
days. 49 Labour MPs rebelled. The government’s backup position (of 60 days) was also rejected with the
Commons eventually backing a 28-day period
● Introducing tuition fees and later trebling them to £3000 a year
● A range of controversial anti-terror proposals

Leadership style Party Unity

● Charismatic
● presidential approach to cabinet, with short full-cabinet meetings
generally rubber-stamping decisions that had been taken elsewhere (either
in various bilateral meetings, cabinet committees or in what came to be
described as “sofa government”: Blair’s meetings with close advisers and
supporters outside the formal government structures)
● Key policies delegated to Brown and Straw
● Popularity waned in party when it was felt that he had over-reached his
authority
● Having never lost a vote in the House of Commons from 1997 to 2005,
Blair’s final period in office saw a rash of defeats. With a majority of 66, this
required large backbench rebellions, but the backbenchers had
developed a taste for rebellion over Iraq and also issues like tuition fees
and foundation hospitals.
● The most high-profile defeat was over a proposal to all terrorist suspects
to be held without charge for 90 days. 49 Labour MPs rebelled. The
government’s backup position (of 60 days) was also rejected with the
Commons eventually backing a 28-day period

Events
● The death of Princess Diana. Tony Blair “spoke for the nation” when he spoke of “the people’s princess”.

● There was an early scandal after Labour were accused of exempting Formula 1 from a ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship in exchange from a £1
million donation from Bernie Ecclestone. They returned the donation and Blair made a personal TV appearance explaining the matter.
● Britain was involved in a number of wars and conflicts in this period, including a bombing campaign against Iraq in 1998, intervention in Kosovo (1999),
Sierra Leone (2000), air strikes and invasion of Afghanistan (from 2001), as well as the Iraq War in 2003. Huge protests and government resignations against
joining the war in Iraq.
● The death of a weapons expert, Dr. David Kelly (who had briefed the media suggesting the government had “sexed up” intelligence reports about Iraq)
leads to a major crisis and inquiry. The inquiry eventually concludes that the BBC were most at fault, and largely cleared the government of wrongdoing.
● Large backbench rebellions on a range of issues through the period, from lone-parent benefits in 1997, through the Iraq War, tuition fees, foundation
hospitals and other issues from 2003 and defeat in the Commons over anti-terror legislation in 2005.
 ● The “cash for honours” crisis where it was alleged that Tony Blair would hand out honours and peerages to individuals who made large donations to the
Labour Party.
● By the 2005 General Election, Blair was no longer an electoral asset, lifting up Labour’s vote with his personal support, but instead became more of an
electoral liability.
● It became increasingly obvious that Gordon Brown, or people around Gordon Brown, was briefing against Blair and manoeuvring to replace Blair with
Brown. Yet, the once confident, presidential and charismatic Blair did not feel able to move against Brown and either demote him or sack him. He clearly
thought Brown too big a threat on the backbenches as a potential leader of rebels and critics
● Labour lose 319 councillors in the 2006 local elections. This is blamed on the ‘foreign prisoners scandal’, where 1023 prisoners were not considered for
deportation. Charles Clarke replaced as Home Secretary in the biggest major reshuffle of Blair’s tenure.
● 2006 cash-for-honours scandal: 12 Labour-nominated peers found to have given over £13m to the party. Tony Blair is interviewed 3 times as a witness (not
under caution). Charges are all dropped, with some arguing this hastens Blair’s resignation as PM. Blair critic and former Cabinet minister Clare Short
speaks out against Blair.

Cameron
Parliamentary terms/majorities Key policy goals
● 2010-15 ConDem Coalition (Tories 20 seats short of overall majority) ● Austerity (manifesto commitment made possible through Coalition agreement with
37 Nick Clegg)
● 2015: 12 ● Same-sex marriage

Leadership style Party Unity

● In order to ensure an effective coalition cabinet, the Quad was est. ● Eurosceptics continued to represent a divided and fractured party
Agreement on core policies first had to be agreed by Cameron, ● Lib Dems put significant restraints on Cameron’s freedom to manoeuvre: Lib Dems
Osbourne, Clegg and Danny Alexander (chief secretary to the withdrew support for parliamentary boundary reforms
Cabinet) ● Had to give cabinet positions to 5 Lib Dems, including Clegg as Deputy PM
● Fostered an image of competency relative to his rivals: by
magnifying the economic difficulties he inherited he was able to
lower expectations and bought political cover when economic
targets were missed
● Limited options to est authority: Cameron failed to establish a clear
policy vision. Neither the ‘Big Society’ nor equipping Britain for
success in ‘the global race’ gained traction

Events
● With neither coalition partner winning the GE the Lords suspended Salisbury Convention, allowing it to oppose measures in the Tory manifesto (e.g. Tax Credits defeat)
● 2011 had to allow referendum on Additional Vote electoral reform (Lib Dem manifesto pledge)
● 2011 Fixed Term Parliament Act ensured Coalition would last for 5-year term
● 2013 defeated in HoC when trying to persuade Parliament to support his bombing of Syria after the use of chemical weapons by President Assad
● Following 2015 GE, Camron is forced to announce ‘in/out EU’ referendum to subdue Eurosceptics and the threat of UKIP to voter base (having failed to renegotiate
Lisbon Treaty)
● 2016 Cameron resigns after Remain campaign defeated in referendum; would not be right for him to ‘be the captain that steers our country to its next destination’
 May
Parliamentary terms/majorities Key policy goals
● 2016 Inherited Cameron’s small majority of 12 ● Brexit
● 2017 Entered into confidence and supply agreement with DUP ● Grammar schools
(effective majority of 13) ● British Bill of Rights

Leadership style Party Unity

● In 2016 expected to provide firm leadership, having been Home ● As PM of a minority government, May had to rely on support of the
Secretary for 6 years. She won the leadership contest with 61%, DUP. This added constraint given that they rejected her Brexit deal
providing a clear vision for what she wanted her govt to achieve ● Brexit created a clear Faultline which May could never reconcile.
● Began with a ruthless reorganisation of cabinet, sacking George Tory Remainers (Ken Clarke, David Gauke) pushed for a soft Brexit
Osborne and replacing him with long-term ally Philip Hammond as whilst the hard-line Brexiter ERG campaigned for hard Brexit (even
Chancellor. May stamped her authority by also appointing Amber including no deal). The ERG briefed against May throughout,
Rudd to Home Office eventually making her position untenable
● May placed a lot of trust in her political advisors at No 10 (Nick
Timothy and Fiona Hill) and often by-passed cabinet on major
decisions
● Had to balance cabinet between prominent Remain and Leave big
beasts

Events
● 2017 decision to call a snap election taken without consulting cabinet. Her manifesto was written by her SPADs (Timothy and Hill)
● Unexpected poor campaigning diminished her authority as she was personally associated with the government losing its majority. This hindered her
ability to command her cabinet
● 2017 GE derailed May’s policy plans given the loss of her majority. She was forced to focus all her energy on achieving Brexit.
● 2017 - Sergei and Yuria Skripal poisoned by Russian agents in a nerve agent attack. May gives a speech outside Downing Street condemning the
attack, praised in the media as “May gives Britain’s ultimatum to Putin”. Corbyn criticises this strong response but this backfires.
● 2017 - Theresa May does not meet with survivors of Grenfell Fire and receives criticism. Enquiry refuses to look into wider issues around housing
policy and racism, which is criticised in press and by Corbyn.
● 2019 cabinet resignations. May revealed her negotiated Brexit deal at Chequers. The next day Brexit Secretary David Davis and Foreign Secretary
Boris Johnson resigned. This further exposed party divisions and weakened May’s grip on power further.
● Following 3 parliamentary defeats of her Brexit deal (including a historical defeat of 230 majority in Jan 2019) May announced her resignation

Johnson
Parliamentary terms/majorities Key policy goals
● When elected as PM initially, had a ● To deliver on Brexit referendum in 2016 ‘Get Brexit Done’
landslide majority of 80 seats ● Prioritising the NHS

● The House of Commons majority of 80 meant he had the space to push through
any remaining Brexit legislation required. Labour suffered its worst election
result, in terms of seats, since 1935
Leadership style
February 2020 reshuffle. The most important change was the replacement
of Javid as Chancellor by his deputy, Rishi Sunak, after the former rejected a
plan to create a single team of Number 10 and 11 advisers. This was seen as
a bid by the Prime Minister to reduce the Chancellor’s independence.
→ sunak was regarded as a much less experienced figure who would be unlikely to
challenge Johnson
Events
● 31 January 2020 - Britain leaves the EU
Party Unity
Relationship w cabinet 5 July 2022 - Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resign
6 July 2022 - An avalanche of resignations PARTY gate inc alegra stratton
In the wake of the chancellor and health secretary, dozens of other ministers followed suite,
making the prime minister's position increasingly untenable.
The day ended with even those still in ministerial positions, like Attorney General Suella
Braverman, saying he should quit.

● Opinion poll (YouGov, 31/1/20): Tories 49%, Labour 30%

● Despite a trade deal still to be worked out, with the clock having started (and been paused several times) after the referendum of 2016, the UK left the EU, to cheers from Mr
Johnson, Brexiteers and heartbreak from pro-Europeans.

● 23 March 2020 - UK lockdown announced; criticised for imposing lockdown measures later than other countries - already global meetings about virus which he missed

● During the Coronavirus pandemic, Johnson authorised an expensive economic aid package designed to cushion businesses and workers to protect them from the adverse economic
effects from CoronaVirus

● 22 May 2020 - Boris Johnson advisor Dominic Cummings went to trip Barnard Castle and had broken down lock down measures, public called for him to be sacked, however,
Johnson continued to back him

● 30 November, 2021 - Downing Street party reports emerge

● At the end of November, the Daily Mirror broke a story about a party in Downing Street the PM had attended that broke COVID rules.

● It unleashed a torrent of anger from the public, bitter than many had been unable to see friends and relatives during the pandemic, even as some were dying, while those in Downing
Street had been able to enjoy their leisure time together
● It led to further revelations, which resulted in resignations from the PM's team.

● 7 July 2022 - Boris Johnson resigns