Are Prime Ministers becoming more presidential Flashcards
(11 cards)
what does Starmer changing tact on defence spending reveal about his power as a PM
- has the power to be responsive –> Trump/ Ukraine
- Not tied by cabinet
- still has to justify to back benches + party
- enough of a majority to do it anyway –> feels very powerful
what does the term Presidential PM mean
the PM has almost total power, not using cabinet or backbenches/ parliament
Example of a PM acting presidential - Tony Blair
- Bypassed full Cabinet over Iraq War (2003)
- used “sofa government
- dominated media
Example of a PM acting presidential - Boris Johnson
- prorogued Parliament in 2019 during Brexit
- led solo COVID briefings with minimal Cabinet input
Example of a PM acting presidential - Margaret Thatcher
- dominated cabinet
- made key decisions (e.g. Falklands War) with limited consultation
Example of a non-presidential PM - Theresa May
- depended on divided cabinet and failed to push Brexit deal
- lacked firm control
Example of a non-presidential PM - Gordon Brown
- technocratic, not media savvy
- less centralised leadership compared to predecessors
Example of a non-presidential PM - John Major
- faced constant internal rebellions
- lacked personal authority over party and cabinet
what features of parliament and the UK Constitution support a PM acting in a presidential way
- royal prerogatives
- no codified constitution
- large commons majority
- media focus on PM
- Party leaders controls government
what features of parliament and the UK Constitution prevent a PM acting in a presidential way
- cabinet responsibility
- parliamentary sovereignty
- party rebellions
- PMQs & scrutiny
- judicial oversight (e.g. Supreme Court rulings)
can UK PMs be presidential
in style, yes (media/image/control); in structure, no - limited by cabinet, parliament, and party
